Ministries at Holy Ghost Parish...Youth Ministry and Confirmation Holy Ghost Youth Ministry and Confirmation preparation follow a comprehensive model based on the biblical truth that

Ministries at Holy Ghost Parish

Liturgical Ministries

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion These parishioners assist with the distribution of the Eucharist during the celebration of the Mass

and may bring Holy Communion to the ill and homebound. Workshops are held each fall to

update ministers on their understanding of this important ministry and on the procedures used at

each Mass. The pastor with the permission of the bishop appoints these ministers.

Trisha Labbé (985) 345-3360 Ext. 28 or [email protected]

Lectors Lectors have the most important role of proclaiming the Word of God during the celebration of

the Eucharist on Sundays and other special liturgies. Each fall, the lectors receive a special

workbook to help them prepare for their ministry.


Altar Servers Young people assist the priest during the celebration of Mass

and at other special services. Altar servers, from fourth grade to

adults are invited to serve in this capacity.


Greeters and Ushers Greeters and Ushers are a vital part of the Mass. Ushers are responsible for greeting parishioners

as they enter the church, the first and second collections, selecting families to bring up the

offertory and finding seats for the congregation during crowded Masses.

Al Alack (985) 345-8782 or Trisha Labbé (985) 345-3360 Ext. 28 or [email protected]

Music Ministry Holy Ghost Church has 3 active choirs.

Traditional choir sings for the 9:30 a.m. celebrations on Sunday and rehearses every

Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Cheryl Brothers (225) 567-2933

• 5pm Mass Choir sings on Sundays for our Youth Mass with rehearsals beginning an hour

before Mass begins. All teens in high school are invited to join and sing with us.

Liturgy Planning and Environment For each liturgical season, plans are needed to help prepare the church and the congregation for

the particular liturgical celebrations. This ministry provides an excellent hands-on opportunity as

well as providing the educational basis for liturgical celebrations.


mailto:[email protected]





First Friday Adoration This ministry ensures the continuous adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament in our church on every First Friday of the month.

On First Friday, the Mass begins at 7:00 a.m. with exposition and

Morning Prayers following until Benediction at 6:00 p.m. Participants

are encouraged to commit to being present at church for at least one hour

but may come whenever they are available.

Margie McInnis (985) 345-3420

Educational Ministries

Children’s Church The Children’s Church ministry introduces children from pre-Kindergarten

age to the First Grade to the Holy Ghost Community through group participation

in song, prayer, bible stories and playtime. Team teachers present short lessons

with main focus on God and his many gifts. The children are introduced to prayer,

Old and New Testament Bible Stories, Activity Sheets, Songs, Games, Crafts,

and Playtime.

Adult Leader: Mrs. Darla Dufrene

Parish School of Religion (PSR)

The Parish School of Religion offers instruction in our catholic faith for students who attend

private schools, public schools, or are home-schooled from grades Kindergarten through 5th

grade. We guide our students in learning about our Catholic faith, in celebration as a Catholic

community and in reaching out in love and service to others. In cooperation with the parents,

who are the primary religious educators of their children, our students in our program will

become knowledgeable and devout Catholics thus becoming mature individuals with Catholic

ideals and values. PSR continues for those students who are in grades 6th

through 12th

through

our Youth Ministry and Confirmation program.

PSR Catechist /Teacher The PSR catechist teaches the Catholic faith to students

who are not attending Catholic schools, such as private

or public schools, and who are home-schooled. The Parish

School of Religion needs catechists as well as teacher assistants.


• Sacramental Preparation

Preparation for the Sacraments has taken on a whole new responsibility and urgency in the

Catholic Church. Holy Ghost offers preparation instruction for the following sacraments:

Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation and Marriage.


Volunteers are welcome and needed in all of the

Educational Ministries…Consider helping make a

difference in a young person’s life.

We would love to have you grow with us!



Youth Ministry and Confirmation

Holy Ghost Youth Ministry and Confirmation preparation follow a comprehensive model based

on the biblical truth that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life”. Open to students in

grades 6th

through 12th

, youth ministry aims to foster a deep personal relationship with Christ

through prayer, study of church teachings and the lives of the saints. Several events are provided

at the parish, diocesan, and national level in an effort to expose youth to the Catholic Church at

all levels and create a lasting relationship with the Church. We encourage all youth to get

involved.

Confirmation preparation begins in the 9th

grade and concludes with the candidates receiving the

sacrament in the 11th

grade. Confirmation preparation focuses on the discipleship of Christ and

fostering a love of service to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Nicole Richard (985)-345-3360 Ext. 26 or [email protected]

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

The process of becoming a Catholic is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

and is for non-baptized and baptized persons of Christian denominations. Persons, baptized in

the Catholic faith tradition, who have not received the sacrament(s) of Confirmation and/or

Eucharist, are encouraged to join this process. RCIA/RCIC comes to a completion with the

reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist) during

Easter time followed by a period of Mystagogia. The formal process ends approximately at

Pentecost.

RCIA Team welcomes individuals wanting to become Catholic. The team helps prepare

meetings, plan lessons, and assists as needed with the Candidates and Catechumens. They

attend Sunday morning meetings after 9:30 Mass on a weekly basis and attend all retreats.

Wanda Hutches (985) 687-6502 or [email protected]

RCIA Sponsors walk the faith journey with Candidates and Catechumenates who will be

joining the Catholic Church by providing support and fellowship.


RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) is the ministry for those children wanting

to become Catholic. Team members and sponsors are needed to walk the faith journey with

the Candidates and Catechumens.


Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation provides educational opportunities for adults to grow spiritually, to

develop leadership, and to be drawn closer into the life, mission, and work of the community.

Deacon Mauricio Salazar (985) 345-3360 Ext. 29

Vacation Bible School Every summer, Holy Ghost Church sponsors a week-long

Vacation Bible School for students in Pre-K through 5th Grade.


Nicole Richard (985) 345-3360, Ext. 29 or [email protected]






Community Life Ministries

Rosary Altar Society The members help by setting up the church for the celebration of Mass on Sundays

and weekdays. They are responsible for the upkeep of the Sacred Vessels and the

linens used for Mass. They sponsor a Day of Recollection during Lent.

Denise Donner (985) 543-0650

Catholic Daughters of America

This group of women promotes spiritual, civic, cultural, charitable, educational, and social

activities. Meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:00p.m. at the Knights of

Columbus Hall.

Colleen Scarle (985) 345-1332

Knights of Columbus – John F. Kennedy Council #2952

The Knights of Columbus is open to all men of the parish who share its

values of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The Knights support

numerous parish and diocesan programs.

John F. Kennedy and Ladies Auxiliary Wives, mothers, and relatives of the Knights of Columbus may take part in this group which also

supports various charitable causes.

Bereavement Committee Members of this ministry reach out to the family of the recently deceased. Arrangements will be

made with the family to meet their needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to

visitation at the wake and preparation and delivery of food to the home the day of the funeral.

Pat McIntyre (985) 345-4551

Prayer Line This ministry is a prayer line via telephone where the awesome power of prayer is used for

special intentions of our parishioners.

Jeanette Garofalo (985) 345-4486

Small Christian Communities Formerly known as RENEW, This ministry is a gathering of

small groups who experience fellowship and are drawn closer

to Christ by reading scripture, prayer, and sharing their faith

experience among those in the group. Under the direction of

the Director of Religious Education and through Adult Faith

Formation, Small Christian Communities meet at their

convenience for this sharing experience.

A. J. and Shirley Collura (985) 542-1908

Spiritual Direction

A spiritual director is a trained and certified spiritual guide. A director meets monthly with a

directee to assist him/her with spiritual growth and conversion. The directee commits to

pondering Scripture daily and to journaling about the prayer experiences. As the directee

shares his/her prayer and life experiences with the director, the director, through the guidance

of the Holy Spirit and the Ignatian Rules of Discernment, helps the directee to discern God’s

loving will.

Peggy Bailey .......................................................(985) 320-4027

Mary Delaney……………………………….….(985) 507-7491

Mary Ann Henchy...............................................(985) 974-1037

Tricia Jarratt ........................................................(985) 507-1068

Virginia Soniat…………………………………(985) 507-3337

Guadalupana Society

This ministry focuses on the needs of the different cultures

in our church community. Within the last five years, we have

a growing, active Hispanic community in the Parish. We are

open and welcoming to other cultures as they become part of

our parish community. Volunteers are needed.

Rene Abadie (985) 542-7859

After Mass Receptions During special gatherings and during liturgical seasons, there are times after-Mass socials are

enjoyed by the church community. This ministry helps coordinate these gatherings and provides

snacks and refreshments. This ministry functions on an “as-needed” basis.

Patricia Haydel (225) 567- 2486

St. Joseph’s Altar St. Joseph’s Day Altars began as a custom brought to us by Sicilian immigrants. The tradition of

building the altar to St. Joseph began as far back as the Middle Ages in gratitude to St. Joseph for

answering prayer for deliverance from famine. Parishioners are needed to help in all phases of

the St. Joseph Altar.

Chickie Gennardo (985) 345-1888

Holy Ghost Parish Fair Committee Each spring the highlight for the season is the Holy Ghost Parish Fair. The fair is one of the

largest parish and school fundraisers and volunteers are always needed to help the fair run

smoothly.

For information call the school office at (985) 345-0977 or the church office at (985) 345-3360

Service Ministries

St. Vincent de Paul Society The members of St. Vincent de Paul help the less fortunate in our church parish and city. The

society members help with families in emergency situations when temporary funds are needed

for rent, utilities, and food, medicine or travel expenses.

Dr. Bon Suarez (985) 542-6627

St. Vincent de Paul Store The Thrift Store is located on North Morrison Boulevard and is operated by the St. Vincent de

Paul Society. Volunteers are always needed.

(985) 542-8900

Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Counseling Office This organization is a part of the Baton Rouge Diocese's Catholic Community Services and is

located at 409 W. Dakota Street in Hammond. They help provide counseling to those in need in

our area.

(985) 542-5455

Tangi Food Pantry The food pantry collects food and funds from the community, business, and congregations and

uses these donations to feed those in need on both emergency and continuing bases. Food is

available on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from 1-4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to serve

600 to 800 people each month.

(985) 429-8551

Administrative Ministries Pastoral Advisory Council The Parish Council is comprised of members elected by the parishioners along with a

representative from the each of the major ministries. This group meets on a monthly basis to

provide advice and give recommendations to the pastor on a number of pertinent issues.

A.J. Collura (985) 542-1908

Parish Finance Council As mandated by the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the Holy Ghost Finance Committee is responsible

for monitoring and reviewing the budget for Holy Ghost Parish and Holy Ghost School.

Lesli Bolner (985) 542-8500

Updated 2/21/2018 tbl

Documents

Ministries at Holy Ghost Parish...Youth Ministry and Confirmation Holy Ghost Youth Ministry and Confirmation preparation follow a comprehensive model based on the biblical truth that