en Español

     Remember that ministry survey you filled out in September?  You might have forgotten about it, but we didn't.  It has just taken longer than we first imagined tabulating the results.  Soon we will have those to you in a format that is readable.
 When asked why you were hesitant to be involved in ministry, or not involved, many people chose the answer that stated, "I don't want to commit and not be able to fulfill that commitment."  Likewise, "I don't feel qualified" was another response made by a number of people.
     We have always stressed ministry at St. Clare.  I know that I have taught on that area in the Tapestry, Caritas, F.R.E.E., and in my preaching.  I know that Fr. Tim spoke of it.  Yet, I wonder if when many people think of ministry they think of doing something extraordinary.  Ministry is attending to the needs of another person.  It is doing so out of love because of Christ.  Those needs are often quite simple.  Hospitality and human kindness are the ways in which we minister most often.  When you listen to another person, even when you are busy, you minister.  When you choose to smile or say a kind word rather than ignoring a person, you are ministering.
     But there are specialized ministries in the Church as well.  There is the ministry of Lector.  That requires that you can read and pronounce properly.  If you can practice at home before coming to Mass and come to one or two nights of reflection a year, you can be a reader.  That ministry doesn't require much beyond coming to Mass.  Likewise, Eucharistic Ministers do their ministry at Mass.  Altar servers and sacristans do the same.  Those who work with Someone Cares can do that ministry after Mass most often.
     Being a member of the choirs requires a larger commitment.  You agree to weekly rehearsal besides Sunday Mass.  The Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, and most of the prayer groups expect at least one meeting a month apart from Sunday morning.  Yet, those ministries do not require any special skills other than a willingness to be active.
     I have found that we learn most ministries on the job.  If you have a desire to help with the religious education of our youth but feel nervous about teaching, you can be an aide to a teacher.  From that position you will learn that teaching isn't as difficult as you first imagined.  Reading or singing at Mass only requires some practice.  If you have the desire, you can be taught to be better than you imagined.  When I was in college I was deathly afraid of having to get up in front of a classroom of 15 people and give a three-minute speech.  Imagine that!  As you can see, I have learned that it isn't as difficult as I first thought.
     Ministry is for every Christian.  It is not an option.  It stems from our baptism.  Please don't think you are unable to do ministry.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom, strength, and fortitude to give of yourself to God and His Church.  We need you and  Christ needs you to be His heart and hands to our world.
                                                         Peace and God bless you throughout this New Year.
                                                                                                                       Fr. Chris

RESOLUTIONS

Is trying to get along better with everyone one of your resolutions?  Here are 11 proven ways to help.

1.   Before you say anything to anyone, ask yourself three things:
      1 - Is it true?          2 - Is it kind?          3 - Is it necessary?

2.   Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.

3.   Never miss the opportunity to compliment or to say something encouraging to someone.

4.   Refuse to talk negatively about others; don't gossip and don't listen to gossip.

5.   Have a forgiving view of people.  Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

6.   Keep an open mind; discuss, but don't argue.  (It is possible to disagree without being
      disagreeable.)

7.   Forget about counting to 10.  Count to 1,000 before doing or saying anything that could
      make matters worse.

8.   Let your virtues speak for themselves.

9.   If someone criticizes you, see if there is any truth to what he is saying; if so, make changes.

10. Cultivate your sense of humor; laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

11. Do not seek so much to be consoled, as to console; do not seek so much to be understood,
      as to understand; do not seek so much to be loved, as to love."

 I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible.  It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others it was a revelation.  Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers.  To others it was a real job.  We want it to have been a most fascinating few moments for you.  Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot.  Others may require judges to help find them.  I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them and there will be loud lamentations  when it is found.  A little lady says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate better.  See how well you can compete.  Relax now for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story.

SR. THEA HER OWN STORY is our featured film this month.

 Sr. Thea's life (1937-1990) and ministry are artfully presented in this program.  From her childhood in Mississippi through her death from cancer, she faced the hardships of life without sacrificing her goal of teaching people to remember and to celebrate both their cultural heritage and their individuality.  Hear the testimony given to this vibrant scholar, teacher, singer and speaker.  Join us Sunday evening, January 17, 6:00 p.m. for this free program.

SISTERS IN SPIRIT & SOUL is a day of prayer, Scripture, song, witness and testimony.  It is geared toward, but not limited to, Catholic women of Afro-ethnic heritage in a variety of Christian ministry."Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" is this year's theme.  It will take place Sunday, January 24, 2:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m., in the Youth Room of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, 6200 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando.  Women planning to attend should R.S.V.P. by Friday, January 15, by writing Black Community Ministry, PO Box 1800, Orlando, FL  32802-1800, or calling (407) 658-1818, ext. 243.

"Loving one another with the charity of Christ, may the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds ..."
                                                                                      Clare of Assisi, The Early Documents
 
 

TODA PERSONA EN NUESTRO MINISTERIO PARROQUIAL SE LE PIDE QUE PARTICIPE EN NUESTRA NOCHE DE RECOMITAL DEL MINISTERO PAROQUIAL QUE SE LLEVRA A CABO ENERO 5 A LAS 7:70 PM.
(Si no estas seguro que tienes que venir, busca la lista de Ministero Parroquial – y si estas envuelto en alguno de esos en la lista, entonces esta invitación es para que te recometas a ello.)

"Amandonos unos a otoros con la caridad de Cristo, que el amor que tienen en sus corazones se muestre en sus obras..."                                                               Sta. Clara de Asis, Documentos del principio