Parish Ministries.
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a Roman Catholic Community committed to the building up of the Kingdom of God.
We joyfully embrace our baptismal call to worship God, to preach the Good News of Christ,
to build up the community offaith and hope, and to serve those in need.
PARISH & DIOCESE
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the pastor.
The purpose of the Council is to form community as a sign of
witness of unity for the larger parish, to provide recommendations for
the parish priorities and directions through pastoral planning, and
to promote communication and understanding among parish organizations
and between parish, diocese and universal church.
Pastoral Planning for the New Millennium
Each parish and faith community
of the Diocese of Rochester is involved in a planning process, which assesses
pastoral and ministerial needs in light of priest personnel, and financial/
material resources. In Tompkins County
in New York State, this planning process, under the direction of the
Covenanting Council, involves the faith communities of Saint Anthony Church in
Groton, Holy Cross Church in Dryden, All Saints Church in Lansing, St.
Catherine of Siena Church in Cayuga Heights, Immaculate Conception Church in
Ithaca, Cornell University and Ithaca College.
FAITH FORMATION
Education Committee
This Committee recommendsstrategic plans and policies regarding the educational and
formational mission of the parish. The Committee is responsible for determining the
formational and educational needs of people of
all ages in the parish.
Adult Faith Formation
Parish programs and inter-parish and regional programs of adult education are offered
on a regular basis throughout the year.
Religious Education
A program of religious education is provided for Pre-K to eighth grade for children not
enrolled in a Catholic School.
Youth Ministry
A Comprehensive Youth Ministry
Program involves Junior High Youth, comprising young people in grades 6-8, and
Senior High Youth comprising young people in grades 9-12.
Sacramental Prepartion
A program of preparation exists
for each of the Sacraments. Participation in the preparation program is necessary before
receiving any of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and
Marriage. Reception of the Sacraments is readiness based and presumes the candidate is
participating in ongoing formation.
Hands of Christ Award
Each year high school seniors,
who have demonstrated church and community service, are nominated for this
diocesan award presented by the Bishop of Rochester.
Catholic School Education
Immaculate Conception School in
Ithaca and Saint Mary School in Cortland are available to parishioners of Saint
Anthony Church in grades K through 6 at Saint Mary School and K through 8 at
Immaculate Conception School. For more information, go to the Immaculate Conception School Web Site.
SPIRITUAL LIFE & WORSHIP
Liturgy Committee
This Committee has the responsibility for assessing the spiritual needs of the
people of the parish and making recommendations on sacramental policies and
practices consistent with the norms established by the diocese and the
universal church. Members for this Committee are drawn from those involved in the
various liturgical ministries of the parish.
Altar Servers
Boys and girls from grade 3 and
higher are invited to become altar servers for Sunday Masses and other special
liturgical celebrations. Adults serve at funerals and holy days.
Lectors
Men and women, both young and
old, who volunteer to read at the Liturgy are scheduled for all Sunday Masses
and special liturgies.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Men and women who volunteer to
distribute the consecrated bread and wine at the Liturgy are scheduled for all Sunday
Masses and special Eucharistic Liturgies. They also bring Holy Communion to the Nursing Homes
and the homebound.
Ushers/Greeters
Men and women are welcome in
this ministry of hospitality for Sunday and Holy Day Eucharist.
Homebound Ministry
Parishioners who are homebound
are visited and kept in contact with the parish.
Hospital Visitation
Hospitals in Cortland and Ithaca
are visited on an as-need basis. bNursing Home ministry takes place on a regular basis
at the Groton Nursing Home.
Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua
Each year on June 13th, the Parish observes its patronal feast day with a festive
Eucharist and a parish picnic.
Sacristans and Sancturay Care
The parish relies on volunteers to fulfill these ministries.
Choir
The choir participates at the
8:30 am Sunday Mass from September through June and is open to all.
Organist
Muriel Bartlett is the parish organist.
Cantors
Volunteer cantors are used at all sung Masses.
Retreats
Annual Retreats for the men and
for women of the parish are scheduled each year at Notre Dame Retreat House or
Stella Maris Retreat House.
Knights of Columbus
Men of the parish are invited to
join the Knights of Columbus Council headquartered in Ithaca, New York.
Deacon George Kozak is teh SPiritual Mentor for the Knights and you are welcome to
talk to him about membership.
SOCIAL MINISTRY
Social Ministry Committee
This Committee recommends
strategic policies and programs, which address the social mission of the
church. The Committee is engaged in
careful study of church teaching and monitors social needs present in the area.
Pro-Life Network
Efforts to promote the
Consistent Life Ethic and respect for all aspects of life is done in
collaboration with other parishes and organizations dedicated to this cause.
Samaritan Center
This outreach ministry of
Catholic Charities of Ithaca is regularly supported by parishioners of Saint Anthony Church.
Works of Love
Students in the religious
education program actively support this program of good works, promoted by the
Diocese of Rochester
Groton Food Pantry
Parishioners are generous
contributors of food for the needy, along with monthly monetary donations.
Funeral Brunch
As a ministry to those who are
bereaved, a luncheon is provided for the family of loved ones following the
funeral and cemetery rites.
Operation Rice Bowl
This fund raising event takes
place during the Season of Lent.
Blood Drive
A Blood Drive takes place from
time to time in the church hall.
PARISH LIFE
Parish Life Committee
This Committee coordinates those
events in the parish which brings parishioners together, such as spaghetti
dinners, pancake breakfasts and children’s Christmas parties.
Annual Parish Picnic
The picnic ordinarily takes place
on or near the patronal feast of the parish - June 13.
Hospitality/Coffee Hour
Every Sunday, coffee and baked
goods are served in McNamara Hall after the 8:30 Mass on Sunday.
STEWARDSHIP
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is a
consultative body, which provides advice concerning the administration of parish
financial and material resources.
Stewardship Program
Each parishioner is invited to
consider giving a proportionate amount of his or her income to the Lord through
the Sunday collection. Parishioners are
encouraged to remember Saint Anthony Church in their Will and/or take advantage
of other financial instruments that would benefit the ministry and work of the
parish.
Diocesan Thnaksgiving Appeal
The Diocese of Rochester holds
its annual financial appeal for the work and ministry of the local church every
Fall during the month of October.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
This committee assesses all the
maintenance needs of the parish buildings and grounds and seeks to enlist
parish volunteers for specific maintenance projects.
EVANGELIZATION
Evangelization Committee
This committee is charged to serve as an outreach arm of the parish to spread the good news of
salvation.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults is a process of bringing into full communion of the Roman Catholic
Church those who were never baptized or those, baptized in another tradition,
but who want to join the Roman Catholic Church.
Web Site
Saint Anthony Church maintains a
Web site at <saintanthonygroton.org>.
Advertisements
The parish seeks to make its presence
known in the wider community through newspaper articles and advertisements
of its special and holiday events.
Pictorial Directory
A picture book of parishioners
and a welcome packet are available for all new parishioners.
Publications of the Parish
A Sunday Bulletin, a monthly
calendar and a quarterly newsletter are published to keep parishioners and
friends of Saint Anthony informed of the activities and ministries of the
parish.
Catholic Courier
This is the official newspaper
of the Diocese of Rochester and serves as a communication tool for the Bishop
to keep in touch with members of the diocese and the various local communities
of the twelve county diocese.
© 2007 Saint Anthony Church, Groton, N.Y.
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