PARISH MINISTRIES

"Lay believers are in the front line of Church life; for them the Church is the
animating principle of human society." Pius XII

Religious Education  |  Liturgy  |  Parish Office | 
Outreach  |  Inreach  |  

 

Religious Education

Religious Education Program: The St. Louis Religious Education Program provides formal instruction in the faith for all children from kindergarten through grade twelve. The aim of our catechetical program is, in the words of Pope John Paul II, "to put children not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ." Recognizing that parents are the primary educators of their children, we also encourage their participation as volunteer catechists and aides. Click here for more details.

Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which people become members of the Catholic Church. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person into believing, praying, living and serving with the Church community. Formation focuses on doctrine, liturgy, apostolic work and Christian living.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:  The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Program is a Montessori based approach which nurtures the child’s relationship with God, and educates the child in the faith.  Dr. Maria Montessori’s approach follows St. Thomas Aquinas’ understanding that “all our knowledge has its origin in the senses.”  The “Atrium” is a place of prayer, prepared especially for children to contemplate the life of Jesus and the liturgy of the Church with the use of many sensorial materials, including infancy narrative figures, a raised surface map of the Land of Israel, a model altar and a model baptismal font.  This concrete method of presenting the faith is similar to the way the Church teaches us through the sacraments, holy water, incense, and statues.Click here for more details.

Adult Confirmation Class: Six weekly classes in the Spring after Easter prepare candidates and sponsors for the Rite of Confirmation at Pentecost. For information, contact Patrick Krisak, DRE, 703-765-4421, ext 18.

Ongoing Bible Study: Father Mark Carrier, our parochial vicar, leads a Bible Study on Wednesdays from 7-8pm in Walsh Hall.

Liturgy

Altar Servers: All young men of the parish, fourth grade and older, are invited to assist at Sunday and weekday liturgies and other special occasions as needed. Positions include Thurifer, Knight, Squire, Server and Apprentice.

Arts and Environs: We work at the foot of the cross doing our best to create a pleasing envirinment for our beautiful church, for the honor and glory of God. Our main job consists of caring for the flower arrangements adn decorating for feast days and other important events in the Church.

Extraordinaty Ministers: assist in giving Holy Communion at Mass as well as to the homebound parishioners.

Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration: Weekly Adoration is from 7am Monday morning until 4pm Saturday afternoon in our beautiful Adoration Chapel. Call the Parish Office to sign up for a weekly hour or stop by anytime to see Our Lord!

Lectors: Ministers of the Word participate in Sunday and daily Masses. In addition, they provide services for other liturgies as requested.

Music: click here to visit our page

Sacristans: Volunteers set up for weekday and Sunday Masses, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Training provided. Please contact Nancy at the rectory, 703-765-4421, ext 15 or e-mail saintlouis@saintlouisparish.org

Ushers:Men and women are needed to serve as ushers at Sunday Masses. This important liturgical ministry includes greeting and welcoming those who come to Mass, helping them find a place, collecting the offering, adn distributing the parish bulletin. Training provided.

Wedding Coordinators: Assist couples in the preparation and celebration on their wedding.

Parish Office

Parish Office: Adutls are needed to assist in the assembly and labeling of parish mailings, help with preparation of the bulletins, parish census data entry, phone calls and miscellaneous tasks. Volunteers are especially needed to help with Spanish translation. Please contact Nancy at the rectory, 703-765-4421, ext 15 or e-mail saintlouis@saintlouisparish.org.

Outreach

Bread for Our Brothers: Bread/bakery goods collection and distribution from area bakery sources. Baked goods are distributed to shelters and food pantries that serve the needy along the Route 1 corridor.

Caring Team: This team ministers to the seriously ill and bereaved, assisting as appropriate.

Christ House: The Christ House outreach provides a meal at the Christ House Shelter in Old Town Alexandria once a month. Parishioners involved in this outreach donate food items and help serve food at the shelter.

Hospitality for the Bereaved: The Bereavement Committee hosts funeral receptions for parishioners. Donations of food and help with setting up and serving food are always needed.

Pro-Life Committee: of St. Louis consists of dedicated parishioners striving to promote a culture of life within our community. Committed to defending life in all stages, the committee urges parishioners to volunteer through prayer and sponsored activities throughout the year. Pro-lifers are needed for the first Saturday of every month to say the rosary outside of the Duke St. clinic. Other parishes are there for the remaining Saturdays.  Please call Lee McKenna 703-768-4032 or jimleemck@cox.net if you able to help with this very important baby saving mission.

Project Gabriel: is a ministry that helps pregnant women (single and married) and their families in need of assistance at the parish level. This ministry includes collecting and delivering baby items, providing transportation to and from doctor appointments, meal preparation, and offering prayers during adoration or at home.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul welcomes "all who wish to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbor." Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization founded in Paris, France in 1833, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.  As a reflection of the whole family of God, Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.  Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.  For more information about becoming a member of our local conference, please contact the rectory at (703) 765-4421 or leave a message on our SVdP Helpline, (703) 765-0050. For SVdP in the United States, click here.

Transportation: This committee assists parishioners who are unable to get to Mass or doctor's appointments on their own.

United Community Ministries (UCM): is a non-profit community-based agency that serves the needy with programs to promote self-sufficiency. Through a monthly food drive, we help stock UCM's Food Bank.

Welcome Committee: welcomes new parishioners to the St. Louis family.  Members of the committee contact newcomers to make them feel welcome and encourage their active participation in our community. 

Inreach

Youth Ministry: visit our Youth Activities page or the bulletin for our upcoming activities.

Council for Catholic Women (CCW): is open to all women of St. Louis Parish. They meet once a month on the second Saturday of each month in Walsh Hall from 9:30-11am. Meetings include a spiritual reading related to the dignity and vocation fo women and a discussion of ways to serve the parish. CCW has a four fold goal: community building within the parish, improving communication between the Rectory and parish groups, providing volunteer support for the parish, and organizing spiritual and educational events for the women of the parish. Please contact Mary Claire Hayes for more information.

CYO Sports: This parish participates in the Northern Virginia CYO Sports program and is open to all CCD and St. Louis School students.

Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy: is a lay ministry that promotes Perpetual Adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the dying, and encourages the practice of corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

St. Joseph Covenant Keepers: is a Catholic men's group to equip and encourage men, single or married, for more effective service within their families. Contact Chris Sheedy at 703-765-4523.

Homeschool Support Group: assists homeschooling families in the parish and provides occasional social activities. Contact Lisa Klewicki.

St. Lucy Guild: was formed in 1968. Members of the Guild meet regularly to plan activities and pray for several intentions. Members provide spiritual and physical support for one another.

Knights of Columbus:Mount Vernon Council #5998is composed of Knights from St. Louis and Good Shepherd parishes.  The St. Louis Roundtable within the Council works to support the pastor and priests and to be involved in all church activities.  One project initiated and funded by the Knights is the St. Louis KofC Memorial Bell Tower in the circle in front of the church. The Knights also raise money for many charities, including the annual Virginia KOVAR drive which provides funding for organizations serving citizens with intellectual disabilities in the State of Virginia. In addition, the Knights of Mt. Vernon Council donate over $200,000 annually to support hundreds of local and national charities, like local parochial schools, Diocesan seminarians, shelters, soup kitchens and more.  The main source for the charity money comes from BINGO games, which are held every Wednesday and Friday beginning at 7:00 PM at the Council Hall, 8592 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria. (703-360-1964). All men of St. Louis Parish, 18 of age or older, are cordially invited to join the Mount Vernon Knights of Columbus.

The Legion of Mary is the largest lay apostolic organization in the Catholic Church with 7 million active members and 20 million auxiliary (praying) members worldwide. The weekly meeting of the Legion includes praying the Rosary, spiritual reading and discussion, reports on apostolic work, and a talk by a priest. Members visit the sick in nursing homes and hospitals, welcome new parishioners, visit the home-bound, and take the Pilgrim Virgin statue of Mary to families in the parish.

The St. Louis Parish Library was formed to enlighten, entertain, and spread the Good News of God's Word. The Library is located in the church basement and has many quality Catholic books, audio cassettes, and videos. It is open following the 8:45am Mass until 12:15pm on Sunday mornings.

Mother's Group: provides a fun, informal atmosphere for getting to know other mothers and children in the parish as well as the opportunity to enrich your knowledge of the Catholic Faith and many practical aspects of mtherhood. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:30am in Walsh Hall. Contact Theresa Talavera at 313-8782 or tatalavera@yahoo.com

Money Counters: Volunteers meet to count, record, and deposit collection receipts of all masses.

Pamphlet Rack: Volunteers help order, rotate, and maintain items on the rack, which is located in the vestibule of the Church.

Prayer Line: if you are in need of a prayer and would welcome the support of the our parish famiy, or if you would like to join the prayer team, the St. Louis prayer line is available to you.

Boy Scouts: Scouts in Troop 680 pursue the ideals of the Church, e.g., the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem, and the "Aims of Scouting." The purpose is to equip the scout to take his place in the world as a maturing Catholic and a maturing American.

Cub Scouts:Cub scouting helps build boys of strong mind, body, heart, and soul and St. Louis Catholic Church Cub Scout Pack 680 has been serving our parish for over 30 years in this way.

Girl Scouts:Girl Scout Promise: "On my honor I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live justly by the Girl Scouts Law." They participate in the Religious Emblem program.

Senior Group: is being started at St. Louis Parish. All seniors are invited to come to Walsh Hall after the 8:45am Mass on First Fridays for fellowship.

Please contact the Parish Office at 703-765-4421 if you are interested in any of these ministries or e-mail saintlouis@saintlouisparish.org.

 

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