JOYFUL WITNESS TO THE FAITH
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Faith is not for us alone, but to be shared. Being a JOYFUL WITNESS to Christ is a necessary part of Discipleship. If Discipleship were a human lung, this would be breathing out. In living out our personal relationship with Christ, especially in our participation in the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, we are breathing in the Life of God. God Breathes out His Word, Jesus Christ, for us to receive; but, it’s not for us alone. Saint Paul (pictured above) is a terrific example of being a Joyful Witness to Jesus Christ. We are all commissioned by our Lord to go to the corners of the earth, to bring the Good News of salvation through Christ:
SHARING THE GOOD NEWS
BeFrienders
These parishioners are trained volunteers who provide listening support in difficult and transitional situations such as illness, recuperation from surgery or loss of a loved one. They give spiritual and/or emotional support through a caring, non-judgmental listening process. Training and year-around support is provided each BeFriender. A BeFriender normally has only one BeFriendee at a time and meets with that person at least monthly.
Director: Connie Hennen 952-492-6810
SERVING OTHERS
Prayer Shawl Ministers
This ministry is made up of a group of people who knit or crochet prayer shawls for sharing with others: as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress, for birthdays or anniversaries, for holiday gifts, etc. The group meets for one hour at 3:00 pm the 3rd Monday, September through May, to knit/crochet and share ideas. The rest of the work is done at home. Yarn is furnished.
Contact: Nan Brandtner 952-492-2981
Sponsor Couple / Pre-Marriage Preparation
After the pastor has his initial meeting with a couple preparing for marriage, the sponsor couple will contact the couple and administer the “Pre-Marriage Inventory”. A computer will analyze this questionnaire and the results will form the basis for some reflection and sharing between the sponsor couple and the couple planning for marriage.
Contact: Father Neil Bakker, 952-492-4560
Ministry to the Homebound, Assisted Living/Nursing Home Residents
Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion conduct Communion Services for the homebound parishioners and those living in the Schule Haus, Oak Terrace, and Valley View nursing homes. Individuals, couples or families take turns on a rotating basis to carry out this ministry.
Contact the parish office (office@sjbjordan.org)
Meals on Wheels
Parishioners from Saint John’s take turns for a certain month with members of other Jordan churches to deliver the noon meal to shut-ins who have difficulty preparing a meal. Most deliveries are within the city limits; a few others are a short distance from town. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday except for holidays. While this is a volunteer position, those who deliver meals may record mileage for end-of-the-year tax purposes.
Contact: Colleen Eischens 952-492-6814
Food Shelf
Parishioners from Saint John’s and other area churches participate in unloading trucks and stocking shelves for the Jordan Food Shelf. There also are opportunities to assist in dispensing food to the clients on Saturdays. Those who assist clients must be over 18 years old.
Contact: Bob Malz 952-292-8759
Wedding Coordinators
These individuals take turns overseeing the use of the Church facility by a wedding party. They help the priest set up for the wedding liturgy, facilitate use of the Church by musicians, photographers and decorators, as well as clean up after the wedding. Training provided.
Contact: Jeanne Millenacker 952-492-2640
Quilters
These women sew quilts for the quilt auction at the annual Fall Festival. Beginners are taught how to quilt. The group meets on Monday afternoons for a number of weeks in early Fall, stop for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and begin again the Monday after New Year’s.
Contact: Cheryl Schmeig 952-492-2727
Jordan Council of Catholic Women (JCCW)
This organization is for all women in the parish. They provide a wide variety of services to the parish, including the Christmas Boutique, the Giving Tree and parish-sponsored receptions, such as the Confirmation student and graduation receptions.
Contact: Judy Pint 952-492-6315
Funeral Lunches
A committee of parishioners serves a meal (of the family’s choice) following a funeral service. They prepare the dining area for the lunch and clean up the facility afterwards.
Contact: Helene Schmitt 952-492-2675
Church Cleaners
Church Cleaners take turns doing light cleaning of the Church twice a month. They work in groups of three. A day is set aside once a year for a thorough cleaning of the church and gathering space. All parishioners are invited to help with this cleaning.
Contacts: Cinda Smith 952-412-7076
Sacristy Laundry
These parish members take turns laundering and ironing purificators, corporals and towels every two weeks.
Contact: Jeanne Millenacker 952-492-2640
Outdoor Flower Garden
Spaces in front of Church are prepared and planted by a group of parishioners who also take turns maintaining them during the growing season. They clean up the space at the end of the season.
Contacts: Marty Pekarna
Building Maintenance and Grounds
This committee of parish members advise the Pastoral Council on the condition and needs of the parish buildings and property.
Contacts: Pete Welter pwelter@sjbjordan.org
Parish Office Volunteers
These volunteers are available to help with tasks that arise in the parish office.
Contact: Jeanne Millenacker 952-492-2640
A Community Caring for Life
This ministry is a respect life program that is a source of information as well as physical and spiritual help to those struggling with an unplanned pregnancy or post-abortion trauma.
Contact: Deb Krzmarcik 952-492-6471
Catholic United Financial
This fraternal life insurance company provides financial security for its members and their families. The local council at Saint John’s sponsors a matching grant breakfast, farmer’s market, as well as other events. The Saint John’s Council is involved in Catholic United’s Disaster Response program helping victims of tornadoes, floods and other disasters. They coordinate the Join Hands Day project which brings together other service groups like the Boy and girl Scouts and Confirmation students to do cemetery clean-up. The Saint John’s Council sponsors members who participate in St. John’s marathon and World Youth Day.
A not-for-profit company, Catholic United uses its profits to support Catholic parishes, schools, faith formation programs, pro-life agencies, the seminary, and Catholic missions. College scholarships are available for members. It sponsors chastity and abstinence programs and technology grants, both received by Saint John’s Parish. Catholic United also made substantial direct contributions to the capital campaign/building project at Saint John’s. Catholic United only invests in funds that are in line with our Catholic beliefs.
Contacts: Myron Pauly 952-492-2745, Judy Pint 952-492-6315
Knights of Columbus, Jordan Council 3759
A family based ministry focusing on Catholic men who promote charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The local council does a wide variety of service projects including:
Rosary service at wakes of deceased members
Support of vocations to the Priesthood
Host the annual parish Rural Life Mass
Sponsor a tootsie roll drive for support of our mentally challenged citizens
Support Pro-Life programs
Sponsor ‘Keep Christ in Christmas”
St John’s School Marathon
Participate in special liturgical celebrations
Sponsor the KC Youth Free-Throw Contest
Student loan and scholarship programs available
Contact: Mark Buesgens markbuesgens@msn.com
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council participates in the responsibility for pastoral ministry and the administration of the parish. It researches the needs, the ideas, the hopes, the life and activity of the people of God, so that the whole parish community can effectively carry out the mission of the parish and fully participate in the ongoing conversion that is central to its life. The Pastoral Council evaluates the parish in its conformity to the Gospel and those constitutive elements of the Gospel which call for understanding the implications of justice. In this sense, the Pastoral Council shares in the decision making process which assists the pastor in carrying out the leadership role that is his within the parish. They are elected by the parishioners for a 3-year term.
Contact the parish office - office@sjbjordan.org
Finance Council
Finance Councils are similar to pastoral councils in that they are consultative in nature, offering advice to the pastor. Finance councils must observe both canon and civil law in the sound management of the temporal goods of the parish. They prepare the budget of the parish and submit it to the Pastoral Council for their review. Finance Council members are appointed by the pastor for a 3-year term.
Contact the parish office - office@sjbjordan.org
Calvary and Saint Joseph Cemetery Committee
This comittee acts in an advisory capacity to the Parish of Saint John the Baptist Church in connection with the preservation, beautification, and enhancement of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Joseph Cemeteries.
Cemetery Board Chairperson: Shirley Rutz - 952-492-3210
Saint John’s School Advisory Committee (SAC)
This committee advises the principal on policy, fundraising and many other school efforts. They meet the first Thursday of each month.
Contact the school office - office@sjsjordan.org, 952-492-2030