MINISTRIES

The Ushers of Immaculate Heart serve at the 4:00 Saturday mass as well as the 6:00, 9:00 and 11:00 masses on Sunday. The ministry is comprised of both men and women over the age of 17 years.

As Ushers, their main role in mass consists of greeting parishioners, assisting with seating, passing the collection baskets, handing out bulletins, and assisting during communion.

Each Usher is part of a team of Ushers, and each team member is asked to commit to four (4) masses per month, if available. All training is provided prior to the start of each mass.

Ushers develop a deepened sense of service and accountability to the church, and this also affords an opportunity for them to interact with the parishioners. The Usher Ministry is a vital part of the Saturday and Sunday masses.

PURPOSE: The Altar Servers assist in the celebration of the masses by providing a special ministry to the pastor and pastoral staff. They are trained and expected to assist on the altar by serving for masses on weekends, holidays and special ceremonies.

OBJECTIVE: The Altar Server Ministry is open to all youth, male and female. Members must have made their First Communion to be serving on the altar. They are encouraged to: develop a better understanding of "commitment and dedication of service"; to continue their involvement and give support to the parish and community by serving in other capacities as they grow, discover, and learn to share their special gifts and talents.

ACTIVITIES:
1. Serve for weekend masses 4:00 pm, 6:00 am, 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
2. Attend monthly meetings held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm.
3. Participation in annual ceremony for Outstanding Altar Server (Dioceses).
4. Participate and support the IHM Family Day/Fall Festival.
5. Annual Altar Server Outing (Christmas/Summer).
6. Participation of specific age groups in: Lyke Conference, African American Catholic Youth Congress and various other parish/community activities held.

Mission Statement: A strong reverence for what the Eucharistic Minister carries is to be seen and felt by all. Eucharistic Ministers should distribute the Body of Christ and Precious Blood with reverence, dignity, and personal attention. These ministers are brothers and sisters in the very Body and Blood being shared. They not only speak their faith in saying, "The Body of Christ", "The Blood of Christ" but call for the faith of the communicant as well.

Guidelines for IHM Eucharistic Ministers:
1. Mature Christians

2. Of excellent character

3. Take the faith seriously and lead Christian lives.

4. If at any time you find yourself living contrary to the teachings of the church, it is highly desirable that you take a leave from this ministry until you have resolved this matter. (Remember you are an example to others.)

5. It is of the utmost importance that you make every effort to attend schedule workshops, to stay informed as an IHM Eucharistic Minister.

All interested parishioners are required to fill out a ministry form, After completing this form and returning it per instructions on the form, you will be contacted as soon as the Pastor has reviewed and signed each application. Applicants are then given a training session, where they are shown how the Pastor request we prepare and assist in distributing Holy Communion. At the training, each minister is also given a copy of IHM Eucharistic Ministry Manual. Upon completing this training session, a mass is selected by the Pastor for commissioning each candidate. After the Commissioning Rite, ministers are now ready to spiritually feed God's people.

All Eucharistic Ministers receive a quarterly schedule via mail or email, which indicates when each minister is to serve. Every effort is made to schedule each minister at the mass indicated on their ministry form. The ministry also provides an entertaining and informative quarterly newsletter.

Presently, IHM Eucharistic Ministry has approximately 96 active ministers. Ministry workshops are scheduled twice a year in conjunction with IHM Lectors Ministry.

He took, blessed, broke, and gave the bread saying, "This is my body" Sharing the cup, he said, "This is my blood", all ate and drank, and Jesus commanded them, "Do this in memory of me".

The mission and purpose of the Lector Ministry is to proclaim the Word effectively to God’s people. Proclaiming the Word of God deepens a person’s spirituality and faith in God and it also keeps you connected to your Church parish. Lectoring is a vital part of the Mass because we need to hear and feel Christ’s message to his people.

The Junior Ushers of Immaculate Heart serve at the 9am Children’s mass on Sunday. They consist of both young men and women from 5th through 12th grades. This is a program that was initiated by Mrs. Mary Francis Ozenne in order to get the youth of our parish more involved.

As Junior Ushers, their main roles in mass consists of greeting parishioners, assisting with seating, passing the collection baskets, handing out bulletins, and assisting during communion.

Each junior usher is asked to commit to 1-2 masses per month, and all of the training that we provide is done prior to and during the 9am mass.

Junior Usher’s develop a deepened sense of service and accountability to the church and a chance to interact and get to know their peers, which they really seem to enjoy. It is our hope that this will deepen their commitment to the church as they become adults.

The purpose of the Bereavement team is to serve God, the church and parishioners during their time of need. To be present at funerals in order to assist family members of the deceased by distributing programs, identifying mass participants, serving as ushers, Eucharistic ministers and altar servers as needed. The ministry provides an environment of love and support as well as coordinating communication between the family and church. Membership is open.

The purpose of the this committee meets to study and reflect on Sacred Scripture. The focus is to “break open the Word”. To read scripture, understand what the Good News is calling us to do and apply it to our lives so that we may remain faithful and continue our journey to holiness. Participation is open to anyone.

The purpose of the Parish Council is to coordinate, encourage and promote every apostolic activity within the parish. To assure through its commission, a continuous survey of both spiritual and temporal needs of the individual, family, parish and community. To set priorities and implement programs to meets these needs. Members consist of adult members (18 years or older) and youth (grades 9-12) who are registered with the parish and elected to serve two (2) to three (3) year terms.

This Roman Catholic organization offers its members the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God, respond to their baptismal call and to participate in the mission of the church by sharing in the life, spirit and mission of the Sisters of the Holy Family in addition to living out the Charism of Mother Henriette Delille. Members pray twice daily the Christian prayer alone and once weekly as a group. Members have holy hour once week; praying for themselves, families, church and community. Members assist the Sister's assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary in any way needed. Membership is open to any Roman Catholic male or female that has been confirmed and willing to live a life of prayer.

The Young Adult Ministry is a group designed for individuals ages 20-45. This ministry focuses on the needs, interests and concerns of people in this age group. Each month we discuss topics such as current events, trends, relationship building, professional development, peer mentoring, financial planning, marriage, living single, parenting and spirituality to name a few. We also have a newsletter that is sent out to the members to keep them informed.

Our goal is to be a ministry of support for each other as we journey through life's challenges, accomplishments and more. Our purpose is to provide support among our peers as help each other to grow in our faith and be better citizens as well as merciful servants of the Lord. We welcome individuals in this age group from different faiths and backgrounds.

The purpose of the Youth Group is to respond to the social and spiritual needs of the youth in our community by providing fun games, activities and events that will allow them to express their faith through their own words and actions. Youth are encouraged to use their own individual talents in the programs and ministries that interest them in order to mature their growth as people of faith while building solid Christians on the foundation of the solid rock. Membership is open to registered youth of the parish ages 10 – 18 yrs.

The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, the Spanish Priest who ministered to African slaves. In 2006, a unit was established in San Andres Colombia, South America. The Order was founded in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.

Our organization consists of six Divisions: Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of Grace. The Order is governed by a Board of Directors and is under the leadership of the Supreme Knight and Supreme Lady, KPCLA. The Order is operated under the direction of the Executive Director and his staff.

We are divided into six Districts and States across the country. Each district or state is represented by a Deputy and other conference officers. Districts, States and other Divisions are represented on the Board of Directors.

​Our Junior Division welcomes catholic youth between the ages of 7-18. They are organized using the same structure of the Senior Division. There is a Junior Supreme Knight, Junior Supreme Lady, along with Junior District or State Presidents and Officers. Interested youth mus have made their First Holy Communion.

Our purpose is to render service to God and His Holy Church, render aid and assistance to the sick and disabled, and promote social and intellectual association among our members.

The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, the Spanish Priest wo ministered to African slaves. In 2006, a unit was established in San Andres Colombia, South America. The Order was founded in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.

Our organization consists of six Divisions: Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of Grace. The Order is governed by a Board of Directors and is under the leadership of the Supreme Knight and Supreme Lady, KPCLA. The Order is operated under the direction of the Executive Director and his staff.

We are divided into six Districts and States across the country. Each district or state is represented by a Deputy and other conference officers. Districts, States and other Divisions are represented on the Board of Directors.

​Our Junior Division welcomes catholic youth between the ages of 7-18. They are organized using the same structure of the Senior Division. There is a Junior Supreme Knight, Junior Supreme Lady, along with Junior District or State Presidents and Officers. Interested youth mus have made their First Holy Communion.

Our purpose is to render service to God and His Holy Church, render aid and assistance to the sick and disabled, and promote social and intellectual association among our members.