The following ministries enhance the celebration of the Mass and the administration encourages the parishioners to join the ministries of their interest.
Altar Servers: Boys and girls, third grade and older, prepare the altar and assist the celebrant of the Mass.
Altar Society: Contact: Rose Skelton, 228-697-2892. Meets the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Meeting Room August through May. The Altar Society plans seasonal liturgical church decor, takes care of altar linens, flowers, and the Sanctuary
Bereavement Committee: This parish group is designed to meet the needs of a family at the time of a bereavement. They are available primarily to bring food items to the home for a limited number immediately after the funeral services.
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: Assist in administering the Body and Blood of Christ to the church community at weekend Masses. Scheduled approximately seven weeks in advance, we strive to honor Mass preferences but ask Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers to find a substitute or to swap scheduled times in the event they cannot honor the assigned schedule. Some also take communion to shut-ins at home, in nursing homes or the hospital.
Hispanic Mass: Celebrated each Sunday afternoon in the Church at 2:00 p.m.
Lectors: Proclaim the Word of God to the congregation on weekday and weekend Masses. Training is available and schedules are sent out approximately seven weeks in advance, we strive to honor Mass preferences. Lectors are asked to find a substitute or to swap scheduled times in the event they cannot honor the assigned schedule. Husband/Wife teams are encouraged.
Music Director: Kathy Mangin 228-297-7464 or willsing4evermore@yahoo.com
Adult Choir: Includes people of all ages that sing at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Holy Days and upon request. The choir practices in the Church each Tuesday at 6:30 pm.
Children’s Choir: Open to all children grades PreK4-6. The Children’s Choir sings at the 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Mass every other week during the school year. The children rehearse every Tuesday (first Tuesday after Labor Day through May) from 3:20 to 4:15 p.m. in the Church. Rehearsals are mandatory. Pickup for children in choir practice is at 4:15 p.m. at the side door of the Church on Calhoun Avenue.
Cantors: Help lead the congregation at various Masses and Holy Days.
Organist: Plays regularly on Sunday at the 9:00 am Mass and Holy Days. An organist may be asked to play at weddings and funerals upon request.
Ushers: Help seat people prior to Mass, assist as needed during Mass and take up all scheduled collections.
Perpetual Adoration: Twenty-four hour Adoration is available in the Chapel, which is located between the Church and Rectory, for anyone who chooses to commit to an hour of quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): Meets on Thursday’s 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Meeting Room (September – May). For information, contact Rob or Christina Malloch at 228-872-6938.
Religious Education:
Programs are available for all students from Kindergarten to Seniors.
Elementary Classes – Kindergarten – 5th grade Sunday mornings from 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Will meet by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Meeting Room and then be directed to classroom.
Edge: Junior High School Youth (6-8) Sunday evenings from 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. in the Youth Room.
Life Teen: High School Youth (9 – 12) Sunday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. September thru May.
RCIA (Rite of Initiation of Adults):
The Adult Becoming Catholic (RCIA) The RCIA program provides information and instruction for those individuals who are exploring the Catholic Faith.
These classes are available to:
Non-Catholics who desire the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation and come into full communion with the Catholic Faith.
Catholics who desire to understand and learn more about their Catholic Faith. Also for Catholics who have not completed their Sacraments of Initiation.
The RCIA program meets on Thursday nights from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. September through May.