RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - Virginia Lopez, Director of Religious Education
Faith Formation
Faith formation describes the experience of understanding our faith. St. Andrew parishioners recognize that our faith journey is a life-long process; therefore, education and spiritual development must not end. We strive to enrich our faith experience with retreats, group study, small community interaction, and with formal and informal faith-sharing. Below are some faith formation options:
Faith Formation Classes – Virginia Lopez and Vy Parkinson
Catechists and aides volunteer their time and talent to provide religious instruction for the children of our parish. (K – 5th grade)
Youth Group Faith Formation
High School: 9 – 12 Virginia Lopez
Youth Ministry offers holistic ministry to all High School youth in the parish. The term holistic means that we attempt to offer a religious education opportunity that focuses not only on the traditional learning, but also reaches out by offering social, spiritual and service opportunities with which these young people can be involved.
MOMS (Ministry of Mom’s Sharing)
Sacramental Preparation – Kristy Kivenas
Special family-centered programs are provided to prepare for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, Confirmation and Baptism.
Why Catholic? – Virginia Lopez
St. Andrew Catholic School – Dr. Kathleen Kiley
Our parish supports a full Pre-K3 through grade 8 education, steeped in quality academics, service, and faith formation, carried out in a multi-cultural environment.
CHRISTIAN INITIATION - Virginia Lopez
Do you know someone: who longs for a deeper relationship with God?
- who is thinking about joining St. Andrew faith community?
- who would like to receive all sacraments of initiation,
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, EUCHARIST?
This process, a conversion experience, is known as (the Rite of ) Christian Initiation of Adults and Children – RCIA. It is available to Catholics and non-Catholics who are interested in possibly becoming full members of the Catholic community. This continuing conversion then leads the newcomer to serving others.
LITURGY
Liturgy – Pastor Supervision
Serves as a cooperative and prayerful team whose purpose is to provide direction, evaluation, and vision for the worship life of the community.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - Marie Pinthieve
The members of this ministry assist the Presider in administering the Eucharist to parishioners during parish liturgies. Eucharistic ministers also distribute the Eucharist to the hospitalized, homebound and those residing in our local nursing homes. Training provided.
Reader Ministry – Gretchen Simmons
The purpose of the Lector is to proclaim the Word of God effectively. This does not demand professional training. More important is the willingness to attend reliably and prepare for the readings conscientiously. Assistance is available for those who seek to improve their speaking skills.
You are encouraged to consider becoming a Lector. It is a good way to meet a number of your fellow parishioners, to become involved in the community, and is a concrete way to exercise your baptismal commitment to proclaim the Word.
Ministry of Hospitality – Fitz Thomas
What does a Minister of Hospitality do? Greets those gathering for the celebration of Mass; places Sunday bulletins in appropriate places; smiles a lot; helps to foster a warm, friendly atmosphere at Mass; greets newcomers; encourages new parishioners to register; and is available for Holy Day liturgies and other special liturgies.
Those who are involved in the Ministry of Hospitality help make our community a warm, welcoming place by greeting all that attend the Sunday or other liturgies. Greeters welcome people and occasionally distribute literature. Hospitality Ministry is open to all parishioners.
Music Ministry – Dr. Carl MaultsBy
The St. Andrew Music Ministry has a place for you! If you have a love of music, like to sing (and can match pitches), want to learn more about the church through liturgy and song, and want to serve, your parish family invites you to this ministry.
By joining our hearts with the
beauty of sound, this ministry gives voice to our faith through the art of
music. Through our hymns and acclamations, the singing of our choirs, and the
sounds of our instruments, music enables us to touch the very mysteries of God
as we unite together in prayer.
Altar Servers – Sheila Parsons
Parish boys and girls grade 5 and above who would like to help enhance the worship of our faith community...and their families.
What is Altar Server all about?
· It is a ministry in the church.
· It is a family ministry.
· It is about being of service to the church gathered together in prayer.
· It is a way to learn more about liturgy and Catholic ritual.
· It is like being on any other team... your effort counts in the smooth worship of the community.
Ministry to the Sick – Evelyn Muir
Parishioners visit hospitals, family homes, and nursing homes each week to distribute Communion and minister to the spiritual needs of the sick. These Eucharistic visits also bring the comforts of both prayer and conversation in a loving spirit to those who are suffering and may be struggling to keep hope in their life. Helping to meet the spiritual needs of the sick is a privilege and gift for some very special people.
Bereavement Ministry – Ellen Bolves
When a death occurs, life for those who live on changes forever. The Church recognizes this change and offers hope and comfort to those who grieve the loss of a loved one. As Jesus comforted Mary and Martha, the parish community can reach out to comfort those who mourn. In response to our Catholic Christian faith, our ministry offers guidance, information, group support, and funeral liturgy preparations to assist persons on the journey from grief to healing.
Men’s Faith Sharing Prayer Group – Frank Niemas
The Men's Group gathers as a community each Friday morning and begins with prayer and scriptural-based reflection, followed by a discussion of issues that impact the participants as individuals and affect their spiritual well being. Meetings are open and new membership is always welcome.
COMMUNITY
Ladies Guild – Miryam Armas
Catholic women within the parish community working toward spirituality, leadership and service.
The Knights of Columbus (KOC) – Don Abate
The Knights of Columbus (KOC) was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.
Men’s Club – Thomas Beecher
A service-oriented group of men who help meet many temporal needs of our parish.
Men and women of the parish serve a three-year term to assist the Pastor and community in creating, planning and evaluating parish goals and objectives.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Orlando – Fred Blakely
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Orlando is a nonprofit, social service organization dedicated to serving people in need, regardless of race or religion.
SVdP offers assistance to those who have fallen upon times of hardship and personal crisis. Ways in which SVdP helps include providing food, clothing, housing assistance, utility assistance, furniture, and even funeral expenses.
The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. – Reggie Simmons
The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is a National Catholic Fraternal Organization comprised of Men, Women, Young Men and Young Ladies. Our purpose is to render services to God and His Holy Church by planning, promoting, sponsoring and executing commendable works of Catholic Action wherever and whenever possible.
Community Neighborhood Apostolate – Phoebe Hughes
St. Andrew is affiliated with 17 other Christian congregations throughout Orlando. In this apostolate, leaders are developed through faith-based community organizing training, in order to empower people for democratic action to improve the quality of life in our communities.
Diaconos: Rafael Hernandez/Freddy Cruz
Coro Antonio Rosado
Ujieres Louis Ramos
Servidores del Altar Mayra Fraticelli
Ministros de la Santa Comunión Virginia Lopez
Lectores Miriam Rosado
¿Porque ser Catolico? Virginia Lopez
Juan XXIII Martha Correa
New Spanish Choir José Lugo
Renovación Carismática Natalia Rodriguez
Renovación Conyugal Luis & Ivonne Acevedo
Enviados de Cristo Coro Luis Acevedo
Cub Scouts – Doug Dobbs
Senior Citizen Group – Charlene Brookfield
Single's Dance - Josie Davis (Third Saturday of every month St. Andrew Parish Center 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm)
For more information on any of these ministries and organizations,
please call the Rectory at (407) 293 – 0730.
If you see a need that is not being met, please bring it to our attention
along with suggestions on how to fulfill that need.
We invite you to be active in your parish.
You’re Always Welcome
At St. Andrew