Spiritual Life and Worship
R.C.I.A.
Adults & Teens
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is open to all persons interested in learning more about Christ and the Church, or who are interested in becoming a member of the Church. A person can enter the process at any time throughout the year. Members of the parish are involved by being individual sponsors for the candidates, making presentations and in the service of hospitality.
Children
Children in the second grade or above who have not been baptized or have been baptized but have had no formal religious formation are invited to participate with their parents in a process of preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation- Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. These sacraments are celebrated with both adults, teens and children who are in the RCIA process at the Easter Vigil.
WORSHIP
Worship Commission
The Worship Commission evaluates the way we worship at St. John and makes recommendations for the common prayer of the assembly. Members observe what is happening at parish liturgies and then meet once a month to reflect on these liturgical practices, talk about ways to improve what needs attention and decide on specific steps to make those improvements.
Liturgical Ministers
Our primary ministry when we gather as a praying and worshipping Church is that of the ASSEMBLY. We minister to one another. To do this well, many are called to a variety of liturgical ministries within the assembly:Sacristan, Extraordinatory Captains, proclaiming the Word of God, distributing the Eucharist, assisting with hospitality and seating and attending to the needs of the altar area. Altar Attendants are boys and girls, grade 6 and older.
MUSIC MINISTRY
There are a number of opportunities for service in the music ministry of St. John: Adult Choir, Children's Choir, Contemporary Ensembles and Cantors. We observe an open door policy with regard to participation in the various musical ministries, recognizing the changing needs of individuals and their families.
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir, as a part of the Assembly, leads the congregation in its sung prayer, sometimes reinforcing the song of the people and sometimes enhancing it with harmony. The Choir meets for rehearsal weekly usually in Church. They minister at the 9:30 AM Liturgy on Sundays and on major feast days throughout the year, especially the Easter Triduum. They also offer sacred music concerts for the parish and community. Members of the choir have participated in various local and regional events including, the Rite of Election in Dayton, Diocesan Choir Festival, West Chester Home for the Holidays and carolling at local hospitals. The Choir has also been part of the Diocese's TV Ministry by providing music for televised liturgies. The Choir is open to all adults in the parish (high school and above.)
Contemporary Ensembles
There are three active ensembles at St. John. All provide opportunities for singers and for a wide range of instrumentalists: guitar, woodwinds, percussion, brass, etc. The 5:00 PM and 11:30 AM Groups rehearse just prior to the Mass time to prepare for that day's liturgy. The members of the 8:00 AM group rehearse prior to the Choir's regular rehearsal.
Cantors
St. John has a vibrant and active Cantor program. A trained cantor leads the Assembly in song at all of our Sunday liturgies, weddings, and other special occasions as well. More cantors are always needed and welcome. The cantors currently meet for about an hour each week prior to the Adult Choir rehearsal to prepare for the coming Sunday or season.
Children's Choir
The Children's Choir ministers from September through May, singing at the 11:30 AM Liturgy about once a month, including Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. The group's rehearsal schedule is published at the beginning of the year. All the children of the parish who are in the 2nd-8th grades are welcome to be a part of this ministry.
Nursery
Our co-op nursery is open during the 9:30 and 11:30 AM liturgies on Sunday.
Presentation of the Gifts
If you and/or your family would like to present the gifts of bread and wine at weekend liturgies, please inform the Hospitality Ministers.
Liturgy of the Word with Children
At the 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Liturgy the children of grades 1, 2 & 3 have the option of celebrating the Liturgy of the Word in a way that is developmentally appropriate for their age level. After the opening prayer, the Presider calls the children of the primary grades forward. They are then dismissed from the Assembly, "...to go forth and reflect upon the Word of God and respond in faith". A Lay Presider leads them to the Chapel where they hear the Word proclaimed and reflected upon in terms understandable to them. After the General Intercessions they rejoin their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Volunteers with a gift for relating to young children are needed to keep this very important ministry alive.
Communion to Shut-Ins
Eucharistic Ministers take communion to those who are unable to worship with us during Sunday liturgies. This can be done by an individual or as a family on a weekly basis at a time convenient to both the individual and the Eucharistic Minister. If you would like communion brought to a shut-in, please contact the Parish Office.