Ministries
O.L.M.C. Parish Ministries & Committees:
The Catholic faith community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has historically, continues and will in the future offer an opportunity to all members of the Church to participate in a parish ministry. Ministries can take any number of forms and are comprised of members from within our O.L.M.C. community. All parish members are encouraged to actively participate in one of our many ministries giving of their time & talents as we seek to reach not only those within our own parish, but to those well beyond it’s boundaries.
Although we are consistently adding parish ministries, the following ministries and committees are currently in effect and available for the members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Please contact the church office for additional information regarding these ministries @ (502). 366-5651.
BIBLE STUDY 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is host to a bible study group that meets each Sunday morning. Presently, this meeting is held in the Adult Center just inside of the Church and cordially invites each and everyone to join as they take a wonderful journey through the Holy Bible.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF
THE WORD 
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered during the Sunday morning Mass for preschoolers through the 5th grade. There is no fee or registration connected to this program. After the opening prayer, children are dismissed to hear the Liturgy of the Word at their age appropriate level. All of the children will return to Church for Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (CCD)
CCD
classes are offered to all Catholic children who attend a secular school or are
home-schooled. Kindergarteners through eighth graders may attend CCD. This
program is focused on assisting parents with the spiritual development of their
children. These classes not only educate children about Jesus
and the Catholic faith but prepare children to receive the sacraments of
reconciliation (confession), Holy Communion, and Confirmation.Our
materials utilize the Sunday readings to connect Gospel values to today's
concerns. Home Study, using these same materials, is an option for those who
need it. All classes rely on volunteers who receive training and curriculum.
There is great value in having two catechists [teachers of the faith] in almost
every classroom and this is our goal.
EUCHARISTRIC MINISTRY
Extraordinary
ministers are members of the parish trained to assist in the distribution of
Holy Communion. The Eucharist is the heart and center of the Catholic Christian.
Inviting, examining, and catechizing special Eucharistic ministers (baptized and
confirmed men and women) is the concern of the community which calls them
to serve. Special ministers of the Eucharist should be people who have a special
love for the Eucharist. They assist in distributing Communion at Masses and
bringing Eucharist to the sick as needed. If anyone would
like to assist with this special ministry at O.L.M.C., they are requested to go
through a brief interview and training
session. Like the Lector, the
Eucharistic Minister serves a unique role in the liturgy. It is Jesus himself
who comes to us in Communion. The Eucharistic Minister serves the Body of Christ
(the Church) by bringing the Body of Christ (Communion) to the members of the
Body.
The faith community at O.L.M.C. is proud of the fact that we seldom have to “search” for Eucharistic Ministers. Our community has always been willing to step forward and assume this extremely important role as an extraordinary minister. Our Eucharistic Ministers are members of our Parish and gladly give of their time to minister to not only the other members that are present for Mass, but to those that are ill, homebound or for other reasons are unable to attend Mass.
If you, a loved one, neighbor or a friend is in need of receiving the Holy Eucharist, please contact the parish office to arrange for a Eucharistic Minister to personally visit and experience this truly blessed sacrament.
GREETERS MINISTRY
The Greeting Ministry is a
liturgical ministry which creates a hospitable reception at the start of our
weekly Mass celebration
.
O.L.M.C. greeters are the first people that
our regular parishioners as well as our honored guests see as they come
to Church to worship and pray. Our greeters must arrive at least 20 minutes
before the start of Mass and are prepared even in the event of inclement weather
to assist those wishing to attend services at O.L.M.C.
Often, greeter “teams” are comprised of family members and as a direct result of their hospitality, we often have compliments from visitors who indicate how warm and friendly the atmosphere at O.L.M.C is.
We are truly blessed to have them and they are indeed an integral part of our overall mission.
KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS
O.L.M.C. is proud to host a local council of
The Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus is a lay Catholic family
fraternal service organization. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to
all practicing Catholic
men
in communion with the Holy See, age eighteen and above. The term practical
Catholic implies that a person accepts and abides by the Commandments of God and
the precepts and tenets of the Catholic Church.
One of the primary missions of
the Knights of Columbus is to support local charities. The Knights are a
familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie Roll® drive, which raises
funds for charities that support the retarded and handicapped. They also support
other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities.
The Knights of Columbus promotes family values by providing numerous activities throughout the year that the entire family can participate in. Additionally, the organization provides an opportunity to ensure that a knight's family is provided for in the event of his death.
LECTOR MINISTRY
A lector is
an O.L.M.C parishioner who proclaims the word of God. This ministry involves
studying, preparing and gaining an understanding of God's word that can be
transferred to the assembly in a clear and understandable manner.
Lectors are typically grouped in pairs that rotate between proclaiming the Old Testament, the New Testament, and providing Prayers of the Faithful and announcements.
To participate in this ministry, an instruction class must be completed which includes education at instruction as well as hands-on coaching.
Confirmed Catholics of all ages are welcome to participate.
MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION
"We are called to comfort
those who mourn..."
When someone we love dies, this impacts our lives in ways which are unique to each of us. Grief hurts and each of us experiences that grief differently. However, our feelings, fears and struggles are ones that are shared by many. Our individual grief journey is one that is unpredictable; it is normal and is a natural response to tremendous loss in our lives.
This ministry is designed to provide understanding of the grieving process with others who are experiencing their own unique journey to healing as well. This group consists of both lay as well as religious members. A nurturing and caring community evolves as we are strengthened by the support of others and, in turn, we give strength back. We learn from others and others learn from us. While grief is individual and a deeply painful experience, it can also be a shared path to wholeness through the comforting awareness of God's abundant omnipresent love for each one of us.
MUSIC MINISTRY
Music
is essential to the Catholic Liturgy. It is important that music be a part of
every Sunday and obligation day masses. "A
liturgical service takes on a nobler aspect when the rites are celebrated with
singing, the sacred ministers take their
parts in them, and the faithful actively participate." Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, art 113.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been blessed in the past with numerous musically talented laypeople as well as professionals who were willing to give of their time, talents & treasure to God and the faithful community at large.
The primary purpose of music ministry in the parishes of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thomas More is to encourage and enable full, conscious, and active participation of the entire assembly.
To that end, opportunities exist for cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists.
Cantors are the primary song leaders at worship. Although cantors require an adequate singing voice, strong leadership is most important. Cantors reflect the makeup of the assembly, and therefore the role is open to all ages.
The Choir also operates in a leadership role, by providing support to the singing assembly. Membership is open to anyone in both parishes. Currently the choir sings for the 10:30 Sunday Mass and for special solemnities (i.e., Christmas, Holy Week, Easter Vigil).
Instrumentalists add beauty to our worship. Nearly every celebration makes use of keyboard (piano and/or organ) and guitar, but practically any other instrument can be added in a way that will enhance our liturgy. Instrumentalist of all ages with proficiency on their instrument are encouraged to participate.
To participate in any capacity of music ministry, please contact Chris Tolbert, Director of Worship/Music.
OVER 50
This group of young men and women meets regularly, and as the name implies is specifically geared towards fellowship and activities for those parishioners who have achieved another step in the path of maturity.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
For adults who are becoming Catholic and
Catholics who are preparing for First Communion and/or Confirmation.
The RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults] is the process through which non-Catholic adults become Catholic and Catholic adults receive the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation. The RCIA focuses on the message and life of Jesus as revealed through Scripture and Tradition.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we want exploring the Catholic faith to be an enjoyable experience as well as a spiritual one. Our process includes the teaching of the Church, public and private prayer, faith sharing, time for discernment, and the experience of the Catholic community. Becoming a Catholic is a response to God and we help people discern if God is calling them to this form of discipleship.
RCIA meets weekly with a Sunday Mass commitment.
USHERS MINISTRY
The Usher
Ministry is also a liturgical ministry that is responsible for not only greeting
those attending Mass, but for seating them as well. Our Lady of Mount Carmel
team of ushers volunteer their time, & talents to insure that
everyone
wishing to worship can do so in a comfortable and safe environment.
Their mission however, goes well beyond simply seating those attending Church services. They are also responsible for insuring safety by keeping a close eye on Church capacity and making arrangements for over-flow seating when required. Our ushers take special care to insure that those worshippers who may have physical disabilities are seated in an unobtrusive area.
They are also responsible for an orderly means of the parishioners to receive Holy Communion as well as collecting the offering.
Finally, they are responsible for cleaning up the Church after each Mass as they collect paper, rearrange missals & hymnals, and of course are always present to hand out our weekly bulletin with a smile.
