Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish
545 A1A N
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.32082
904 285 2698

MEMORANDUM

TO:                 Parish Leaders of Ministry
FROM:           Lucy Clynes,DW
RE:                  Ministering in these Challenging Times
DATE:             October 28, 2020
CC:                  Msgr Brennan

Greetings to each of you, your families and those with whom you coordinate ministry at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.

Since early March, we have been living through rather difficult and challenging months, that I experience has brought out the very best in us as well as named some demons.

We are most grateful for the ongoing service and care provided weekly by our Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Ushers.  They have helped to bring back some of the “normalcy” we look for in parish liturgy.  Those who have assisted in greeting as well as the weekly sanitizing are also most gratefully acknowledged.

Saints Alive continues to enhance the beauty of our liturgical space in the Cultural Center as well as special flowers for the sacramental celebrations during the virus.  New Catholics were welcomed into the Church, children received Eucharist for the first time, teens were confirmed by Bishop Estevez.  We continue to celebrate Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. 

We are beyond grateful to Barbara Mulvey for her dedication and daily service in these areas so that worship continues among us!

Living Waters Ministry have provided a graced time in gathering us on Saturday mornings beginning in May to pray the Rosary for peace and justice in our country.  Collaborating with the other ministries to creatively lead the Rosary has also been a gift.

The Bible Study/Adult Education Sessions have been creative in offering Zoom and in person, socially distant and with masks sessions in the Browning Center.  Walking with Purpose is meeting on Monday nights at the Palmer Catholic Academy Gym as well as having Zoom contacts.

The Spiritual Book Club has started meeting this month on Wednesday mornings.

That Man is You continued to host three groups, one in the Browning Center and two via Zoom.

Our newest ministry, the collaborative Team within Human Life and Dignity have supplied a survey to hear from parishioners how we might engage in “womb to tomb” education and advocacy.  Please go to the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBDzXfXylS1yNkPMMSD045cYKsCPLOUF5fIhzPhge75fo1uA/viewform to indicate an area of interest and involvement. They are also collecting diapers during this month focused on Resect Life.

The Bereavement Ministry was providing contact via ZOOM and has started meeting regularly to help all those dealing with loss.

Council of Catholic Women has had bi-weekly Board meetings on ZOOM and were very successful in the Pampered Chef project to raise money for the Jacksonville Food Pantry.  Other projects are being discussed for the new year, including the ever-popular Bingo.

First Friday Eucharistic Adoration began again in June and has continued to be an avenue of grace for the individuals involved as well as our parish. 

Health Care Ministry members have provided an educational series on YOUTUBE on the virus as well as healthy exercise during these days of limited contact and connecting.  That information is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbEgl_-GGnb7wT-H3OAY3EA

The Rosary Devotion continued during the summer months on a “call in basis” and now that the Cultural Center is opened for daily mass, gathers for the Rosary at 8 a.m.

Rosary for the Sick continues to support parishioners and families of parishioners during their illness or surgeries.

BEAM has returned to collecting monthly food on the first Sunday of the month.

Mission House continues to welcome volunteers who cook meals, distribute clothes and toiletries, and supply medical treatment to the homeless.
Both Beam and Mission House will take part in the Holiday Food Drives to collect food and gift cards for those in need.

Meals on Wheels has continued to deliver meals to the homebound during these challenging times.

The Divine Mercy Prayer Group continues to pray the Chaplet on Friday mornings after mass.

Looking forward a few weeks, we are hoping that some of the other ministries will be able to resume their outreach in ongoing creative ways:

Family Life is looking to work with families providing Christmas packages to Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Centers and Centers for Persons with Special Needs.

Parents of Altar Servers are being surveyed in how best to have the young people return and serve at our masses.

St. Vincent de Paul is once again working with the Men’s Group in planning and organizing the Christmas Giving Trees.

Once we’ve a clearer sense of the possible ongoing safe responses to the virus, our Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound will be able to visit parishioners once again. In the meantime, please encourage anyone in need of this ministry service to contact the Parish Office.

We also look forward to the Newcomers Welcoming Committee hosting an evening for our new parishioners with various Ministry Leaders.

Thank you one and all for the ongoing sharing of time, talents and treasures here at OLSS parish.  We are blessed with so many gifted leaders who serve so well.