St. Christopher Parish at 20141 Detroit Road, Rocky River, OH 44116 US - Spiritual Ministry

Avila Vocations

Then Jesus said to His disciples: “The harvest is indeed great, but the laborers are few.  Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest.”      Matthew  9:37-38

Purpose:  To join together under the patronage of St. Teresa of Avila to pray for an increase in vocations to vowed and ordained life.  Also, to offer prayer support for the perseverance of those already committed to religious vocations.

Commitment:           Associate Members: Commit themselves to a holy hour once a month on the first Monday.  The holy hour consists of a rosary beginning at 10:45 a.m. followed by attendance at 11:15 a.m. Mass, and commencing with a short prayer service immediately following the Mass.   Homebound Associates: Commit to offer an hour of prayer once a month in their homes to the best of their ability.  A vocation prayer book is provided.

Preparation: A desire to offer prayer support to all whom God calls to serve the Church in the vowed and ordained ways of life.

Healing Prayer

“These are the signs that will be associated with believers . . . They will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.”    Mark 16: 17-18

Purpose:  Weekly meetings to pray for the intentions of the parish, and the sick, and those who have asked us to pray for them.  Members of the healing prayer ministry are available to pray with and lay hands on parishioners after weekly prayer time or as requested.

Commitment:  To meet weekly to pray for the sick of the parish and other intentions.  To be available to pray with those requesting prayer.  To continue to learn more about the healing ministry.

Preparation:  Members of the healing prayer ministry pray together weekly on Wednesday morning.  We also attend healing workshops and conferences as well as healing Masses in other parishes.  Spiritual formation through continued education is important.

Prayer & Scripture Study Opportunities

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for holiness, for they shall have their fill.”     Matthew 5:5

There are various small Scripture and prayer communities presently active at St. Christopher.  They represent a wide variety of backgrounds:  Women, men, young adult, and youth.  For more information, contact the rectory office and a list of available groups will be provided.

Contemplative Outreach

“Be still and know that I am God.”   Isaiah 

Purpose:  To be in Christ’s presence in silence - to listen - to learn.

Commitment:  This is a spiritual journey that meets once a week for an hour and a half.  We encourage one another in the twice daily practice of being in Christ’s presence for twenty minutes in silence.  It is a discipline of letting go of intrusions (thoughts, noises, etc.) by using a sacred word quieting the mind and gently leading one to a deep awareness of Jesus’ presence and action in our lives.  After prayer, a viewing of a video or reading a book may prompt a short discussion on the subject.

Preparation:  Members of the Contemplative Outreach Group can assist others by suggesting ways such as reading Fr. Thomas Keating’s book, Open Mind – Open Heart.

Baptismal Garments

“She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with the skillful hands.  Give her a reward for her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.”      Proverbs 31:12,31

Purpose:  To present each newly christened baby a white cloth hand-embroidered garment as they are welcomed into the St. Christopher community.

Commitment:  Garments are picked up or delivered to volunteers and then hand-embroidered at home.  Usually 6-10 garments are sent home and then returned whenever the volunteer has them done.

Preparation:  No preparation required, just an ability to embroider back stitch lines in a variety of colors.