St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church at 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609 US - Services/Ministries/Organizations

The Parish Community of St. Joan of Arc has numerous Ministries and Organizations for Parishioners to volunteer for and with. The following list is our current Ministries and Organizations, a brief description of each, and the name(s)  of the Contact person(s) for the individual Ministry/Organization. To contact these individuals, or with any questions regarding the Groups, please call the Parish Office at 352-688-0663 during regular business hours- Monday through Thursday 8am to 4pm (closed for lunch from 12 to 1) and Friday from 8am to 12 noon.

Liturgical Ministries:

Altar Servers- Assist the Priest on the Altar during the Celebration of the Mass. Duties include carrying of the Processional Cross, Candles, Incense, and Banners when required, and those who serve add to the dignity and solemnity of the Mass. Youth age Ten (10) and older who have received First Holy Communion may participate as Altar Servers during weekend Liturgies and special occassions. Interested  Adults are also needed for Weekday Masses, Funerals, and the 7:30 am Sunday Liturgy. Full and ongoing training is provided. Contact: Parish Office 352-688-0663. 

Eucharistic Ministers/Ministry of Care- the calling of these Ministries is for persons to assist the Celebrant during Mass in the distribution of Holy Communion, which we offer here under both Species ( The Body & The Blood of Jesus), as well as distribution of The Eucharist to the homebound,the sick, the shut-ins, and the aged.Contact: Karen Paolillo (Eucharistic Ministers), Ministers of the Eucharist Dom Balzano. Call Parish Office (352) 688 0663

Lectors- Proclaiming the Good News at Mass during the Liturgy of the Word is the responsibility of these dedicated Ministers. They also offer the Intercessions during Mass. A good , clear speaking voice is required, as you are not only reading the Holy Scripture, but proclaiming it. Contact: Eleanor Kennedy (352) 688 0663

Greeters/Ushers- these are the bright and friendly faces who welcome you to our Eucharistic Celebration. If you are outgoing, warm, loving, and caring, this is the Ministry for you! Contact: Frank Mezzacapo at Parish (352) 688 0663

Sacristans- people involved in this Ministry are charged with the day to day care of the Altar and Sanctuary; including preparing the Altar for Liturgies, the upkeep of the Sacred Vessels, Books, Altar Cloths and Vestments and ensuring that there are sufficient Altar Breads (Hosts), Altar Wine and Liturgical Candles. Contact: Mary Jo Lovill

Music Ministry- while we are all called to this Ministry by participating in singing from our pews and raising our Voices to the Heavens, honestly some of us have better voices than others (no offense meant to anyone, but we know who we are!). Those of us who would like to join the Choir are invited to by simply talking with and singing for our Director of Music. Our Mass Choir sings every weekend (mid-Sept. thru June (Holy Trinity)) with extras added. There is a Children's Choir, which sings the 2nd Sunday of each month (Oct. - May). We have a LifeTeen Band, too. Instrumentals are always a welcome addition IF you talk with the Director of Music first. For more information or to arrange and audition, Contact: Joyce Thorpe, Director of Music

Arts & Environment- the creative people involved in this Visual Ministry are charged with the decoration of the areas of the Church both inside and outside of the Sanctuary. Flowers, greens, banners, and other decorations are used to help enhance the celebration of the Liturgy. Contact: Sue Page, or Melinda Pataki

Other Ministries & Groups

Catholic Council of Women (CCW)- The CCW is primarily a women's organization charged with  four major categories of service. The are Church/Family; International/Community; Organizational; and Legislative. In addition to the services performed, the CCW also builds community through social events. Contact: Patricia Eckelkamp.

Holy Name Society- this group is open to all men of the Parish, the society strives to expand spirituality and good fellowship. It constantly, through example, develops the knowledge of the Catholic Faith by educational  and community based programs to enhance the lives of its members and other ministries of the Church. It also supports the Grounds Crew with manpower and financial resources to help maintain the Church grounds. Contact: Bill Koenig

Grounds Crew: this Ministry is responsible for the upkeep of the Church grounds- the mowing, trimming, raking, planting and beautification of the property.  They meet/work every Wednesday & Firday mornings...normally.  These wonderful people are responsible for the striking first impression visitors receive when they drive onto our grounds.
To join the Grounds Crew, Contact: Parish Office (352) 688 0663

Knights of Columbus Council #11317- The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic Men formed to render support and spirituality to the Catholic Church. They provide a variety of services, manpower and programs to the Church on an ongoing basis. The organization, formation and operations are separate from the Church but are dedicated to support and defend the Faith. Membership is open to men who are practicing  Catholics and are interested in serving the Church and community by their devoted service to mankind. They meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the Parish Hall. Contact: Grand Knight  I. Edward Patane

Pastoral Council- the responsibilties of the Council are far reaching, covering all aspects of Parish Life. Parish Council meetings are open to all parishioners, and they are encouraged to participate in giving their concerns and ideas for making our Spiritual and Family Life more meaningful. The Pastoral Council is responsible for the planning and evaluation of our mission statement and the definition of parish goals and visions. It includes liturgy, evangelization and ecumenism, parish life, human concerns (justice and peace), Christian formation (schools and religious education), and financial support (fund raising activities). The Pastor presides over the Council through the President, who chairs the meetings. The Pastor will normally ratify all decisions and policies established. The make-up of the Council is a representation of members of the Parish Community and the Parish Staff. Current (2007/2008) members are: Father Raymond O'Neil, Pastor; Parishioners; Carol Fonzo (President), Dom Balzano (Vice-President), Mary Jo Lovill (Secretary),  Gina Panepinto, Janet Sunderland,  Eugene Baylis, Marilyn  Frontiero, Albert Montegnagno, Felix Ruiz, Donna Leahy and Marie Ulasewich. All parishioners are invited to attend.

Prison Ministry- this group responds to the academic needs of inmates by tutoring them in the basics of math, reading, and the English language. they respond to spiritual needs also, by supplying Rosaries and conducting Communion Services and assisting in celebrating Mass once a month. Contact: Rev. Raymond O'Neill.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)- this ministry is a team of Parishioners who assist Non-Catholics or Non-Practicing Catholics who are seeking the Sacraments of Initiation- Baptism, Comfirmation, and the Eucharist- welcoming those who are making inquiries about Catholicsm. Contact: Francine Brennan

Respect Life- this committee keeps the issues of life before the Parish Community. They inform on issues of Abortion, Euthanasia, Genetics, and Capital Punishment. They work towards safeguarding individual rights with the limitations of social living, and dealing with issues of discrimation, poverty, hunger, and war. Contact: Gerald & Barbara Stacey

St. Vincent de Paul Society- this group of concerned Catholics serve through the collection of alms from boxes located in the Narthex, and members put the Gospel message into action by feeding the hungry, providing clothing for the unclothed, caring for the stranger, and aid for the sick and imprisoned persons. The society sponsors canned goods drives and operates the Christmas tree of lights in memory of loved ones, as well as assisting prisoners in educational development to assist them in achieving their (GED) diplomas. Contact: John Wahlfeldt, Ruth Fromosky.

Welcome Center- the volunteers of this group man the Welcome desk in our front lobby. They provide information and welcome to visitors and new Parishioners alike before and after our Masses. Contact: Gladys Pedersen 

Martha's Helpers- this group was formed with the concept of one of the founding beliefs of our Parish- "We Are Family". this ministry puts those words into action by helping members of our family during difficult times such as: helping the homebound with grocery shopping; someone temporarily laid up and would like a home cooked meal; helping someone who takes care of an aging person and needs some time for themselves. These are just a few examples of what the loving volunteers from Martha's helpers do as they practice in earnest what Jesus taught us: "Love thy neighbors as thyself". Contact: Janet Sunderland

St. Joan of Arc Widows Group- this group meets the First Friday of every month in the Parish Library following 9am Mass.This is NOT a bereavement group-they plan dates and places to go to lunch as a group. they also exchange ideas for day or extended trips they are interested in. A donation of One Dollar per month (or Twelve Dollars per year) pays for flowers to be placed on the Altar each month in memory of their deceased spouses; a day of recollection (with lunch); and for refreshments served at each meeting. For more information or with any questions, Contact: Jan Donahue at 683-8457.

Additionally, we always need Volunteers for our Religious Education Program, Baptismal , Reconciliation and Confirmation preparation programs, as well as with our Youth Ministry program, "The Ark".  Please contact Donna Leahy, Director of Religious Education, or Gina Panepinto, Director of Youth Ministry.     

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