Sunday Morning Pre-School Religious Education

Each Sunday during the school year, our pre-school children are dismissed from the assembly for religious education and prayer.  They return to the assembly during the presentation of the gifts.  This ministry takes place during the 10:30am Mass except on holy days, such as Christmas and Easter, and they do not meet during the summer months.  For more information, contact Lynn Peter.

Faith Formation for Children and Young Adults

Our religious education/formation program for Grades 1 - 4 takes place on Wednesday afternoons after school.  The children are dropped off by their bus drivers, share a snack together and enjoy play time until 4 p.m. when the formal learning sessions begin.  Our religious faith formation program for Gades 6 – 8) takes place on Wednesday evening from 6:30 – 7:45pm.  After Confirmation, the young adults from St. Joseph and St. Nicholas Parishes meet together on Wednesday evening from 6:30 – 7:45pm (6 weeks at St. Joseph Parish Center and 6 weeks at St. Nicholas).   All High School students meet at St Joseph Parish Center each Wednesday from 6:30-7:45pm. For more information, contact Kelly Greulich, our CRE.

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Vacation Bible School is held during the day jointly with St. Joseph Parish during the 3rd week in July from Sunday-Thursday.  VBS begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at noon each day.  A final celebration is held on Thursday evening.   Children from ages 4 to 12 may participate.  Children, young adults and adults may serve as catechists, song leaders, arts and crafts coordinators, snack providers, etc.  For more information, contact Kelly Greulich or Nora Weber.

Youth Ministries

Youth Ministry endeavors to broaden the parish’s formal catechetical programs by providing various activities for youth of all ages.   We strive to be a “youth-friendly” parish which involves our young people in our activities and ministries believing that they learn from us what it means to follow Christ.   For more information, contact the Parish Office.

Ministries sponsored by the Christian Vocations Commission

Marriage Sponsor Couple

Marriage is so important to the life of the church and to the welfare of society that the Catholic Church desires to support those who are engaged.  Married couples, trained to share their experiences with engaged couples, assist them as they begin their new life together.  For further information, contact the parish office.

Elizabeth Ministry

The Elizabeth Ministry is an outreach service for mothers and fathers. Information regarding pregnancy and pregnancy complications; birth, infant, or child crises; special needs; infertility concerns; miscarriages; infant or child death; and grand-parenting issues is available. For more information, contact Lisa Day.

Health Ministry

The Parish Nursing Ministry strives to raise parishioners’ awareness of healthy living in a holistic way (physically, emotionally and socially) by providing education regarding major health issues facing Americans today and preventive measures to avoid them.  Blood pressure check-ups are provided on the first Sunday of each month.  For more information, contact Mary Sue Johnson.

Ministries sponsored by the Faith Formation Commission

Faith Formation for Adults

During Advent and Lent, Scripture Sharing is sponsored for small groups in both St. Joseph and St. Nicholas.  We try to hold a parish mission each year.  We are making plans to build a prayer garden which will include a labyrinth or an ancient Christian prayer form.  Christ Renews His Parish is a weekend retreat offered in February and October for members of both parishes.  For more information, contact Pat Koch .

Parental Sacramental Preparation

(First Communion and Reconciliation)

Several meetings are held for parents whose children are preparing for the celebration of First Communion and First Reconciliation.  The pastor also meets individually with the parents of the First Communicants.  First Communion is celebrated in the fall at St. Nicholas.   For more information, contact Kelly Greulich. 

Confirmation Preparation

Confirmation is celebrated in the Freshman year of High School.  Preparation for Confirmation consists of a one-day retreat and a practice session with those being confirmed and their sponsors (or a stand-in, if their sponsors are from out-of-town).  If any young person or adult has not yet been confirmed due to relocation, please contact the parish office for arrangements.   For more information, contact Kelly Greulich.

Parish Retreats – Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP)

The Parishes of St. Joseph and St. Nicholas have chosen to work together in offering the parish-centered retreat called Christ Renews His Parish.  In October and February of each year, one weekend will be held for men and another for women.  The retreat begins on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and concludes on Sunday at 3 p.m.  Overnight accommodations are provided.  There are no costs to the participants.  This retreat aims to strengthen the bonds between Christ and the participants and among the participating parishioners themselves.  For more information, contact Barb Kane.

Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure

Although still in its initial stages, we are hoping to educate our parishioners regarding the theology and spirituality of gospel stewardship as the way of life of the Christian.  In the fall of 2005, a Time and Talent Campaign was initiated in the parish, as well as a Treasure Campaign.  The diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development has provided assistance to us in understanding stewardship.  For more information, contact the Parish Office.

Ministries and Activities sponsored by the Finance Commission

Fund Raisers

Although not a separate committee from the Finance Commission, a different parishioner is asked to oversee one of the various fundraisers each year.  Our fundraisers are:  1) a raffle for a one week timeshare resort vacation held each December; 2) the Spaghetti Supper on the last Saturday of February in the Community Center (North of our Church); 3) Lenten Fish Fries in collaboration with St. Joseph Parish in their Parish Center in Dale; 4) our Summer Social dinner and raffle on the last Sunday of June.  For more information, contact Dan Pitt, our Fundraising Chairperson.

St. Nicholas Cemetery Board

The Cemetery Board is responsible for the upkeep of our parish cemetery.  They oversee the selling of burial plots, maintenance, our perpetual care endowment, and the establishing of guidelines regarding decorations of graves.  For more information, contact Janet Lifke.

Catholic Parishes Campaign (CPC)

The Catholic Parishes Campaign (CPC) is an annual diocesan financial campaign conducted on the second Sunday after Easter.   As a Catholic Parish, within the Diocese of Evansville, we have an obligation to support the work of the entire diocese and the work of the world-wide Church.  Whatever monies are pledged on this Sunday and paid throughout the year are credited to the parish CPC goal.  Excess monies paid to the diocese at the end of the fiscal year are returned to the parish for our use.  For more information, contact , our parish Finance Manager.

Stewardship of Buildings and Grounds

The Building and Grounds Committee serve in a stewardship capacity in overseeing the maintenance of parish property.  They either do the necessary repairs or provide the Finance Commission with estimates on major items.  For more information, contact Bob Grundhoefer.

Garden Club

The members of the Garden Club oversee the care and maintenance of the shrubbery, flowers and greenery on the exterior parish property.  Volunteers are always needed.  For more information, contact the Parish Office.

Stewardship of Treasure

In the fall of 2005, a stewardship of treasure campaign will be held at St. Nicholas parish inviting parishioners to examine their weekly contribution to the Parish.  As Christians, we are called to give back to God a proportionate share of our income according to the Bible.  We do this as a reminder that all that we are and all that we have are gifts to us from a generous God.  The Church continues the work of God in the world today. 

Ministries and Activities sponsored by the Hospitality Commission

The Marthas

The Marthas organize the funeral dinners and every year, on or near the Sunday closest to the feast of All Saints (November 1st), they prepare the dinner for the surviving relatives of parishioners who have died since the previous November 1st.  For more information, contact Gerry Hauser, Nancy Ringeman, and Agnes Titzer.

Cluster Families

Cluster Families help accomplish St. Nicholas Parish’s mission statement that “We are a welcoming community of faith on a journey of spiritual growth, living a model of Christ’s love for all.”  Each household is assigned to a Cluster Family, one of which serves as the coordinator.  The Cluster Families welcome new parishioners assigned to them; promote care and concern for their members; promote a sense of belonging to St. Nicholas Parish; keep every member informed about parish activities and invite each member to take part in these activities.  For more information, contact Amy Wilson.

Receptions

The reception group organizes parish receptions and parties that take place each year.  They also cook for the staff members from the Newburgh Deanery meeting when they meet at St. Nicholas Parish each year.  For more information, contact Karen Hayes.

Fellowship Sunday

As a way to foster the bonds of parish community, refreshments are arranged after to the 10 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of each month year round in the lower level.  This is an ideal place for Cluster Families to bring new members to meet new parishioners.  For more information, contact Jamie Tapley.

Dinner-for-8, Ice Cream Social  and the Bratwurst Festival are also functions of the Hospitality Commission and are described on the Social Activities page. 

Ministries and Activities sponsored by the Parish Outreach Commission

Christmas Angel Tree

The Christian Recycling Center in Rockport invites area churches and organizations to join them in providing Christmas gifts for needy children.  Each Advent a Christmas tree stands in the back of church decorated with angels.  On each angel is a particular item asked for by a child or teen-ager, his/her age, and the size of the item.  Parishioners return the packages wrapped with the angel tag attached to the package.  These are taken to the Recycling Center to be distributed before Christmas.  For more information, contact Karen Springston.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that builds homes for people in need.  The Spencer County Habitat for Humanity has built several homes within our county area.  The families who are chosen to receive the home must perform a certain number of hours on the building project and mortgages are provided at a reasonable rate to give families a new start.  Parishioners can provide help in a variety of ways when a home is under construction.  For more information, contact our parish representative Roger Hayes.

Community Action Center of Spencer County

On the first full weekend of each month, perishable and/or non-perishable items as well as cash donation are collected for the Community Action Center of Spencer County in Dale to provide for the financially needy.  For more information, contact Jim Martin.

Albanian Collection

On the 3rd Sunday of each month, parishioners are invited to donate financially for the assistance of the Greek Orthodox Church in Albania.  Under the guidance of Archbishop Anastasios, Churches, mosques, clinics, schools, libraries, and homes have been rebuilt.  Under the former communistic regime, Albania was the most severely religiously persecuted country in Eastern Europe and the Church was completely suppressed with its properties either destroyed or confiscated by the government.  Today Albania remains one of the poorest countries in Europe.  This collection began on the day of Mother Teresa’s beatification in September 2003 since Albania was the place of her birth.  For more information, contact the Parish Office.

Semi-annual  Blood Drives

St. Nicholas and St. Joseph Parishes coordinate their blood drives so that our parishioners may donate blood in either or both parishes throughout the year.  There is sufficient time between the four blood drives to allow parishioners to donate to all four, if they wish.  If anyone has ever received a blood transfusion in a time of need, they know how valuable this gift of ourselves is for others.  For more information, contact our parish nurse, Mary Sue Johnson.

Social Justice Teaching of the Catholic Church

In cooperation with the Faith Formation Commission, educational opportunities focusing on the social justice teaching of the Catholic Church are provided for our parishioners in a variety of ways.  Some issues covered are our care for the poor, the right of each person to basic human care, respecting the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death, euthanasia, and the death penalty.  Our parish also participates in any postcard campaign called for by our Indiana bishops or by our national bishops’ conference.

Ministries sponsored by the Worship Commission

Liturgical Ministry Training

On-going training for all liturgical ministers will help them minister with confidence, comfortableness and excellence.  All liturgical ministers receive training on various aspects of their ministry several times each year.  The service of our liturgical ministers has the power to enhance our worship and strengthens the faith of the assembly.  For more information, contact Stella Bennett.

Art and Environment

In consultation with the Worship Commission, the Art and Environment Committee plans and executes the art and environment for major seasons and feasts of the Church year.  It also strives to produce a pleasing and prayerful atmosphere through the worship space during other times of the year as well.  For more information, contact Lori Tischendorf.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The RCIA is the liturgical and catechetical process by which new members are initiated into the Catholic Church.  Although designed initially for the non-baptized, the RCIA has been adapted to bring members baptized into other Christian traditions into full communion with the Catholic Church.  The RCIA is established for adults and children of catechetical age (6 and above) who are to be brought into the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday through the reception of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist; and, at other times during the year, through a Profession of Faith, Confirmation and Eucharist.  For more information, contact the parish office.

High School Graduation Liturgy

The Worship Commission plans and organizes the annual High School Graduation Liturgy usually celebrated at the end of May.  A reception or luncheon for the graduates, their families, and parishioners is held in the lower level following the liturgy.  For more information, contact Stella Bennett.

Reconciliation Services

The Newburgh Deanery, of which St. Nicholas and St. Joseph Parishes are a part, celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation in two public ceremonies in our area, during Advent and Lent. 

Sacramental Celebrations

These particular sacramental celebrations refer to Infant Baptisms, Reconciliation in general, First Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation.  Baptism of Infants is celebrated during the 10 a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of the month.  Prior to the baptism, the parents and godparents, if possible, are to participate in a faith renewal course.  At least one godparent must be 16 years of age and a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church; a baptized member of another denomination may serve as a Christian witness. Reconciliation in general is celebrated on the third Saturday of each month from 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. at St. Nicholas.  First Communion and First Reconciliation are celebrated in the fall each year.  Confirmation is celebrated in the fall each year preceded by a one-day retreat.   

Services of Installation, Blessings, and other Prayer Experiences

On Catechetical Sunday in September, our Catechists receive a formal blessing and commissioning for the upcoming year.  All those who are involved in any liturgical ministry are officially installed through a blessing.  There are special blessings designed for engaged couples, newly married couples, parents expecting the birth of a child, young adults leaving for college, parishioners moving to a new parish, etc. expressing our faith that God is with us on our life’s journey.  Those celebrating major wedding anniversaries are encouraged to do so during one of the weekend Masses so that the community may join in the prayer for the couple.  Those asking for the anointing of the sick are encouraged to be anointed during weekend Mass so that they may receive the prayer and encouragement of the entire church.  If you have any special need, please contact the pastor.

Unplanned Priest-less Sundays

There may be occasions when either the pastor is sick or his replacement experiences an emergency and cannot be available for the weekend Mass.  In such circumstances, the laity are trained to lead the assembly in the Liturgy of the Word.  This service fulfills the obligation of Sunday worship for the community as promulgated by the Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville.  Lay persons who feel called to lead the assembly in worship may contact the pastor for more information.

Planned Priest-less Sundays

Bishop Gettelfinger has granted the priests of our diocese the right to plan for priest-less Sundays in the event we cannot find a replacement when making plans to be away.  Such services, which shall consist of a Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion, fulfill one’s Sunday obligation. 

Funeral Vigils and Funerals

Usually the funeral vigils and funerals are planned by the family and one of the team members.  A booklet has been assembled outlining these two celebrations at the time of death.  They may be found in Church or in the Parish Office.  We encourage our parishioners to plan their own funeral liturgies and give a copy to their children, the funeral director, and one to be kept on file in the parish office so that their individual wishes may be respected.  For more information, contact the Parish Office. 

Marriages

Engaged couples are to notify the pastor at least six months prior to their wedding so that the necessary preparation can begin.  A booklet outlining the process for marriage preparation and every question a bride might think of asking about her wedding ceremony in St. Nicholas and St. Joseph Parishes may be found in the Churches or in the Parish Office.  It would be appropriate to have a public blessing of engagement at a weekend Mass for the couple so that they might receive the community’s support and prayer.  For more information, contact the Parish Office.

Musical Ensemble

The Musical Ensemble sings at the weekend Masses.  More members are sought, as well as instrumentalists.  For more information, contact Morris Pelzel.