St. Brendan Ministries of
Prayer ~ Fellowship ~ Formation ~ ServiceThe Catholic Community of St. Brendan, located on Island Estates, Clearwater Beach and Sand Key, is a community of believers who come together in prayer, fellowship, formation and service to be an example of Christ. Here are the ministries by which the people of St. Brendan are an example of Christ to each other and to the world around them.
To contact any of
the following Ministries,
call the Church Office
(727) 443-5485.
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| After the example of Joseph of Aramathea, who saw to a proper burial of Christ, the Aramatheans have a special concern that deceased Christians are buried with loving care. As representatives of our parish, they wear the Jerusalem Cross and a nametag, while they attempt to bring solace and consolation to the family of any departed members of the parish. They do so by attending the wake service, the funeral or memorial Mass. While this ministry requires taking time from their daily personal routine, concerned members of this group are happy to give of their time in order to show love for our neighbor. |
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| At the entry to the church are two simple bins marked Food for the poor. People put in food each week but the containers seems to empty. Each week a group of men gather the food, (both perishable and non-perishable) and deliver it to a needy parish to help supplement their food pantry. The food is sorted, inspected, packaged and delivered. Currently the group assists Blessed Sacrament Parish in St. Petersburg. |
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| The parish Finance Council is the only parish committee established by Canon Law. The council consists of the Pastor, Administrator and parishioners appointed by the pastor for a term of three years. The members generally have business, financial or legal backgrounds. The council reviews and monitors the financial affairs of the parish. They assist in preparing the parish annual budget that is submitted to the office of the Bishop, and meet to review the parish quarterly financial statements that are filed with the Diocese. The council serves to assure that the assets of the parish are properly used and safeguarded. The Parish Administrator provides an analysis of the financial results and responds to questions from the committee. The work of the Finance Council gives the parishioners comfort that the financial transactions are necessary and proper. |
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| The Grief Support Group was started after several members of the parish saw a need for a ministry that would care for those in our community who have experienced the loss of a loved one in their lives. Currently two parish members, qualified in grief support as Clinical Social Workers, take the lead role in the meetings. The meetings run for a seven week period. Participants are developed from our own information and from other bereavement groups. The goal is to help grieving people work through their pain until they are able to begin to change their focus from "loss" issues to starting again. Many of the attendees are from our local community but are not Catholic. The leaders also offer individual crisis support for those experiencing additional needs. |
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| A very special ministry in the parish is that of bringing Holy Communion and the love and support of the parish community to those who are homebound. As calls come in to the parish office for home visitation, a Eucharistic Minister is asked to go to the home at a mutually agreed upon time and day between minister and receiver. As this is often the only connection with the parish that the homebound person has, it is a very special ministry requiring special concern and love. Training as a minister of Communion, as well as training about how to visit a homebound person is necessary. |
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| Bright and early every Monday morning volunteers gather in the office class room to count and sort the weekly offertory contributions and special collections. Not only is this a service to the parish, but it has turned out to be a time of fellowship and friendship for those involved. |
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| The Parish Pastoral Council is composed of the Pastor, Clergy, Director of Religious Education, and parishioners who, through the process of discernment, chart the course for the parish activity and mission. The council meets monthly from September through June. Members serve on one or two of the four working committees that make up the council. They include Prayer and Worship, Christian Formation, Parish Life, Human Concerns. Members normally serve a two year term and may elect to serve two consecutive terms. |
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| The office receptionist is a volunteer position to help the parish office with answering phones, taking messages, and helping with other light office tasks. The receptionist works one day a week in the morning from 9:00am until about noon to meet and welcome those parishioners and visitors calling or visiting the office. |
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| The Stewardship Committee is a small group of parishioners, selected by the Pastor, to promote and coordinate the awareness of Time, Talent and Treasure as a way of life for St. Brendan parish. The members are active supporters of Stewardship. The committee meets as necessary to coordinate a Ministry awareness weekend, quarterly Stewardship updates to the parish members, and to offer guidance for the Stewardship weekend in January, and Bishop's Annual Pastoral Appeal weekend in February. |
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| Fulfilling wishes and dreams, is what The Florida Rainbow Company is about. Parishioners from St. Brendan and Chapel by the Sea on Clearwater Beach combine their time and talents to raise funds whose sole purpose is to bring two families from Northern Ireland to Florida for two week vacation of a lifetime. The special part of this endeavor is that each family has a child with a life threatening illness, and that one family is Catholic and the other is Protestant. The board of directors meets periodically during the year to coordinate the arrangements and fund raising activities. |
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| The Christmas Giving Tree is a parish Christmas project, to share the special season with area families who are among the less fortunate. The committee usually consists of about six parishioners. Names of needy families come from several organizations and other families suggested to us. Tags that are hung on the Christmas Giving Tree, located in the church, have suggested items for the families, and are coded for a particular family. Gifts are purchased by parishioners, and returned to the church. Before Christmas, they sort the gifts, and from cash donations, purchase items requested. This is a very rewarding and successful ministry. The kindness and generosity of our parishioners is obvious. 2003 is the 10th anniversary of the St Brendan Christmas Giving Tree ministry. |
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| Whether you are a life long Catholic or new to the faith, St. Brendan Adult Faith Formation will answer your questions and enhance your understanding of our Church, its history and tradition. This program is designed to help adults learn more about the richness of their faith. Offerings include Bible Study, Disciples in Mission, and periodic, ongoing weekly series like "Why Do Catholics Genuflect." and "Why Didn't You Tell Us That Last Sunday." that explore fundamental teachings of our Catholic Faith. |
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| Rite of Christian Initiation is the journey that adults, interested in becoming Catholic, learn about and experience the Catholic Faith. It is targeted to those who were not baptized or people baptized in another Christian religion, but were not catechized or taught in the ways of the faith. The RCIA journey begins in mid October with weekly meetings and ends just after Easter. There are both classroom sessions and Liturgical rites during Lent and Holy Week. |
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| St. Brendan Elementary Religious Education Program is combined with the ERE program with our sister parish~ St. Cecelia ~ in Clearwater. ERE programs start in September and are held each Sunday morning in Colreavy Hall at St. Cecelia's. Sacramental Preparation First Reconciliation, First Eucharist.Children in the second grade or above attend preparation on Tuesday evening's beginning in October and culminate with the reception of First Eucharist the last Sunday in April here at St. Brendan. Registration for St. Brendan children is handled through the St. Cecelia Religious Education Office for both programs. |
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| Marriage is a wonderful time in the lives of adults, young or old. In most cases before a union can be blessed in a Catholic Church the couples are required to attend a marriage preparation program. After meeting with the pastor or deacon to make the basic arrangements, the couple may choose to attend a Pre-Cana session offered by the diocese or they may choose to attend a parish program. The parish program consists of three to five meetings with a married couple from the parish to discuss various and realistic aspects of married life. This program is coordinated by the Deacon. |
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| Each Sunday after Mass volunteers serve complimentary coffee, juice, and donuts, in the Msgr. Mulligan Hall. This is an opportunity for fellowship and ways to meet new people, welcome visitors, and renew friendships with our winter visitors. |
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| The Mission Belles are a group of "unattached" woman parishioners who select a philanthropy to sponsor, currently the St. Peter Claver School in Tampa. They meet as necessary to organize and run activities to raise money to assist the school with scholarships or other needs. The main fund raising activity is the annual Mardi Gras. |
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| The Navigators are a group of men of St. Brendan whose purpose is to assist the pastor in furthering the mission of the parish. They do this by promoting the spiritual welfare of the men, by performing works of charity in the community, by supporting parish social and cultural activities, and by assisting with projects of pastoral interest. The Navigators finance their projects by modest annual dues, the sale of religious articles and fund raisers such as pancake breakfasts (in season). The Navigators meet monthly. |
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| The main purpose of the St. Brendan Women's Guild is to unite and foster our Catholic Women under the guidance of our deanery, state and national councils with the aid of our commissions of Church, Family Concerns, Community, International, Organization and Legislation. They raise money through membership dues, the annual Boutique, card parties and other events, in order to sustain these commissions and aid St. Brendan as we are asked. As a group, we try to maintain good will and fellowship with crafts, pot luck dinners and helping where ever we can. Our training and leadership come from our pastor, by attending deanery and council work sessions, and through publications, pamphlets and resource material. |
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| The adult choir meets weekly on Monday 6:30 to 8 pm and usually sings at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass, at special Masses, and offer 1-2 concerts a year. They support the congregational singing of hymns, responses and musical settings of the Liturgy, also singing anthems of our faith. |
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| Our altar servers are those men, women and young people who serve the presider at weekday and Sunday Masses. Duties of the servers are to lead the Mass procession, prepare the altar for Mass and attend to the needs of the priest during the celebration of Mass. Youth servers range from 8 to 16 years old and serve about every other week. Servers attend a training sessions and observe at Masses before serving alone. Normally, adults serve at the weekday Masses and the early Mass on Sunday. |
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| The Cantor serves as cantor and song leader, encouraging and inviting the song of the congregation, singing the Psalm and other liturgy parts and offering other anthems. |
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| The choir offers the opportunity for young children to share their musical talent through song in praise of God. Musical ability is developed, faith strengthened. New are friendships are formed and a life-long sharing of time and talent is encouraged. The Choir meets weekly on Tuesdays September-May, 4:15-5 pm for rehearsal and fun. They sing once a month at Mass. |
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| This is a group of three or four individuals who meets monthly and/or specific days of the season to coordinate the appearance of the Sanctuary and the church in general. The committee decorates the Sanctuary by following guidelines of the Church for natural and appropriate displays, and from the direction of the Liturgy Committee during specific liturgical seasons and celebrations. This is a behind the scenes group with personal appreciation for art, appearance and understanding the Church guidelines for environment. |
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| Our choir sings hymns, liturgy and responses during funeral Masses and Memorials and offers anthems as requested, providing a caring and supportive ministry. The choir meets one half hour before the Funeral Mass to rehearse. |
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| A group of volunteers who help ensure that the Sanctuary remain clean and presentable, recognizing the importance of what we celebrate. There are two groups of Handmaids. First, there are a number of people who launder and press the linens used at the altar during the Mass. Second, there are a number of people who schedule themselves to be in the church each morning to tidy up the Sanctuary. This includes dusting; vacuuming, changing the linens, watering and pruning the plants and making things look presentable. This is a behind the scenes ministry where we only see the outcome of their work and dedication. The direction for this ministry comes from the Environment Committee and/or Liturgical Coordinator. |
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| Lectors (readers) are those men and women who proclaim the Word of God at daily and Sunday Masses. A workbook is supplied to each Lector when they are being trained, so that they can prepare their readings prior to their designated Mass. This is a great privilege and the proclamation should be as flawless as possible. Lectors are asked to be at church 15 minutes prior to Mass to review the readings of the day. On weekends lectors read once or twice each month or a selected day during the week. |
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| The Liturgy Committee is a team of parish members and staff, who come together several times each year to share ideas, experiences and explore ways to celebrate the Liturgy at St. Brendan. We primarily understand that the basis for which we celebrate is the Paschal Mystery, the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate sign of God's love for us. It is through this love and understanding, yet within the guidelines of the Diocese and Laws of the church, that we plan and review regular, seasonal and special liturgical celebrations. With the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of the parish professional staff and the devotion of volunteers we combine the resources, experience, and knowledge we have of liturgical rites, music, art, environment, our ministers and the diversity of the parish community to plan and review liturgical events of the parish. The team is lead by the Pastor, or his designate, charged with ensuring the Parish's compliance to the Church's rubrics for celebrating the Sacred Liturgy. |
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Our Eucharistic Ministers are those people who have volunteered
for the wonderful privilege of distributing Holy Communion to
their fellow parishioners during the celebration of Holy Mass.
Ministers receive training for both the theological and practical
aspect of sharing the Eucharist. Ministers serve about every
other week, are expected to dress appropriately, and arrive at
10 to 15 minutes early to receive their position assignment. Music MinistryThis ministry seeks to encourage the full and active participation of all, in the Liturgy through use of song and instrumental music, to amplify the words of the readings and gospel. It provides an opportunity to share and develop our musical talent in worship of our God. |
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| St. Brendan's Prayer Chain is a ministry performed in private. Members commit themselves to spend five minutes or more a day at a time and place of their own choosing. They offer prayers (again of their own choosing) for all those who have asked for the parish to pray for their special intention. Individuals contact the parish office or the Prayer Chain Coordinator, and ask that their prayer request be put on the list. Also whenever someone's name is mentioned from the altar during the Prayers of the Faithful for three times, that persons' name is placed upon the altar and included in subsequent Prayers of the Faithful. Only first names of those requesting prayers are used in order to respect privacy. A printed list of those asking for prayers is given periodically to all involved in this ministry. |
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| Begun as part of the diocesan program of RENEW in the year 1998, St. Brendan's Small Faith Community is a group of 12 or so parishioners who meet once a month for about one and one-half hours to search for ongoing conversion of the heart. While membership changes as people move in and out of the parish, a commitment is made to attend these monthly meetings regularly. During the meeting, time is spent reflecting on selected passages of Sacred Scripture and spiritual writings of Saints and others. This is followed by sharing with one another what these readings mean to each individual's personal life. The intent is to provide encouragement to each other in the meeting of daily challenges, and to support one another in living our faith. |
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| Welcoming at St. Brendan starts in the parking lot. The Usher/Greeter is usually the first and last person a parishioner or visitor will see. Each weekend Mass has from 3 to 6 ushers and greeters assigned and each Mass has an usher captain. The ushers (male or female) are charged with greeting, welcoming, answering questions, helping individuals find seats, taking up the offertory collection and generally guiding and helping as necessary. Ushers usually serve each weekend at a particular Mass. Ushers are trained by their Mass captain. Contact any usher at Mass, or the parish office if you are interested in serving in this capacity. |
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| During Lent, those attending Mass are asked to pray daily for one of the priests of the diocese, whose name they choose randomly, by taking a leaflet from a cross displayed in the church. The intent is to pray for strength for that priest, in living up to the vows he has made. Encouragement is sometimes needed to have all 200 to 300 names taken each year. The motto is "Pray for the Consecrated." |
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| The Wedding Coordinator sets up the church for weddings and rehearsals. They supervise the rehearsals and are present at the weddings to attend to the needs of the bridal couple, presider, photographer, florist, or others involved in the wedding. The coordinator is present until all parties leave the church and is responsible for putting away wedding items and securing the church. |