Community Life Ministries
Community Life Ministries serve the need for fellowship, hospitality and social support. Please contact the Church Office to volunteer and get more information about each ministry:
Community Lay Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist bring communion to those who are unable to attend Mass. They may be ill, confined to their homes, in the hospital or care facilities. Please contact Patricia Ebert at the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to help with this important ministry.
Hospitality – Coffee, juice and donuts are provided for parishioners after 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Masses on Sundays in the Parish Hall. Parishioners as well as visitors are invited to gather and fellowship. Contact Chairman Marsha Dupont through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer to help with this welcoming activity.
St. Joseph’s Altar – In honor of St. Joseph, a beautiful Altar is prepared each year, blessed and shared on the Sunday in March closest to St. Joseph’s Day. Meatless spaghetti is prepared along with thousands of Italian cookies, Italian bread in many shapes and sizes, cakes and Fava beans are available to all who attend. To volunteer and experience this holy event, contact Chairman Betty Aucoin through the Church Office at 225-687-2402.
Annual Outdoor Mass – The Outdoor Mass is a gathering of our congregation at the Plaquemine Locks grounds to celebrate 11:00 a.m. Mass. Parishioners as well as visitors have lunch together, enjoy games and activities. Contact Chairman Susan Landry through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer to help.
Prayer Blankets for the Sick – Prayer blankets are provided to all who are suffering from serious illness or injury as a gesture of our love for them and our prayers for God’s mercy for them. Please contact Chairman Jane Gauthreaux through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer or if you know of someone in need of a prayer blanket.
Social Responsibility – Assistance for special needs may be provided to those in hardship. Uniforms for children of families who are unable to purchase them are provided each school year through the generosity of St. John parishioners. Please contact Gwen Hayes at the Church Office to volunteer to help with this ministry at 225-687-2402.
Loaves and Fishes – This committee assists families who may need to use the Parish Hall for funerals. Contact through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer and learn about this ministry.
Christmas Giving Tree – Each Christmas parishioners volunteer to purchase gifts for over 400 children in the Plaquemine area who might not otherwise enjoy the giving and receiving of gifts during this holy season of Jesus Christ’s birth. Candy canes with the children’s names adorn a Christmas tree at the rear of the Church. Parishioners take the candy canes, purchase gifts appropriate for the age and gender of the child and return the gifts to the Church. Volunteers then bring the gifts to the respective schools in Plaquemine. Please contact Katie Berthelot through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer.
Christmas Visits to Homebound – Parishioners who are homebound or in care facilities are visited during Advent and given poinsettias, baked goods and prayers. Contact JoAnn Landry through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer.
Respect Life supports the awareness of the dignity and sanctity of life by attending events throughout the year and holding a vigil for 40 days near the Delta Women’s Clinic in Baton Rouge. St. John Church adopts one of the days during the vigil and volunteers take turns during the day. To learn more about this ministry, contact Jo Ann Landry or Mary Ann Smith through the Church Office at 225-687-2402.
Church Landscaping Committee takes care of maintaining the flowerbeds around the Church, Parish Hall and parking lots. To volunteer contact Donna Carville through the Church Office at 225-687-2402.
Facilities Maintenance Project Team assists the maintenance coordinator in repairing or maintaining the facilities of St. John including the Church, Parish Hall/Office building and surrounding land. Please contact Gary Perrault through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to volunteer to help.
Religious Education Ministries assist parents in their role as primary educators of the Catholic faith in providing ongoing Religious Education Programs for their children. This Ministry also assist parents and other adults in furthering their own lifelong enrichment of their faith in God. Volunteers are needed in all areas of Religious Education. Please contact Wanda Ashley, Director of Religious Education, through the Church Office at 225-687-2402.
Children’s Church – Children from ages 3-7 are dismissed from the Liturgy of the Word and homily to learn more about the Sacred Scripture readings for the Mass and how they may apply to their lives today. They return to the Mass for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Catechist oversee the sessions in the Parish Hall each Sunday during 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses. Contact Wanda Ashley the Church Office at 225-687-2402 if you are interested in ministering to the children of our Church Parish.
Parish School of Religion (PSR) – Catechists support parents whose children attend non-Catholic schools in growing in their awareness of the presence of God and teach their children to live the Gospel as part of a faith community. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in an ongoing process of workshops and seminars provided by the Parish and the Diocese. PSR Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from August through March and coordinated by Wanda Ashley (DRE). For more information concerning the PSR program please contact Wanda Ashley through the Church Office at 225-687-2402.
Sacramental Preparation – Volunteers through the guidance of the Director of Religious Education provide faith-filled programs to prepare candidates to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact Wanda Ashley, Director of Religious Education through the Church Office at 687-2402.
Marriage Preparation – Married couples meet with and share their faith with engaged couples in their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. It includes FOCCUS, facilitating open couple communication, understanding and study. Please contact Susan Landry through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 for more information.
Summer Programs – Each summer one week is dedicated to children in grades Pre-K through 6th grade. The week is dedicated to having fun, fellowship, and gathering in the prescence of the Lord through worship and music. To register your child please contact the Church Office at 225-687-2402. To volunteer for this ministry please contact Wanda Ashley, DRE through the Church Office at 225-687-2402.
R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) provides assistance to those adults interested in joining the Catholic Church through a 4-step process. The first step is the Inquiry in the fall, Catechumenate is the second step, where more in-depth catechesis is offered. The third step is the purification and enlightenment during Lent, reception of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at Easter followed by the 4th step of mystagogy where the neophytes(new members) are more fully embraced into the community of the Church through its ministries. Contact Donna Carville through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 if you are interested in joining the Catholic Church or if you wish to volunteer.
Adult Faith Formation – We never reach an age where we “know everything” about our faith and these programs provide a way to grow and enrich our faith and service to God through study and prayer. Bible or spirituality studies are offered throughout the year primarily on Monday evenings and on Thursdays, one class in the afternoon and another class in the evening. Please contact Donna Carville through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 to participate or to volunteer for this ministry.
Adult Confirmation – For those baptized Catholics who have received Holy Communion but not the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are encouraged to complete preparation for this sacrament after Easter. Confirmation by the Bishop occurs on Pentecost Sunday, 40 days after Easter. Contact Donna Carville through the Church Office at 225-687-2402 if you are interested.