Stewardship
Time, Talent, Treasure
This ministry allows our youth to participate in the liturgy by helping the priest and the deacon. They carry the processional cross, hold the missal for the celebrant, assist the priest when washing his hands, and assist the priest and deacon as necessary.
Scouting is an educational program that builds qualities of character, citizenship, sportsmanship and personal fitness, and it also spiritually trains girls, boys, and young adults. Please contact one of the leaders to find out meeting times and frequency.
Choir and Music Ministry members lead the faithful in the worship of God in the liturgy. It is not just well trained ears, balance voicing or energetic stage presence. True worship is an extension of love and relationship with God. Singing and other musical talents can be used in the gospel, men's, youth or traditional choirs.
In this ministry families volunteer to spend time in prayer for vocations. The Elijah Cup is a consecrated chalice that provides a focal point of prayer. A family registers to pick up the cup and at the end of a mass the family is presented the cup to take home for one week. The family then prays together each day for vocations. The Elijah Cup is returned at the end of the week.
Eucharistic ministers administer the Body and Blood of Christ to the assembled faithful. The Eucharist strengthens the people of God to become more like Christ by following his teachings and examples. Eucharistic ministers share this faith with the faithful at communion. Eucharistic ministers are also responsible for taking the Eucharist to parishioners who are in hospitals or nursing homes.
The Council oversees the church's financial status and direction. The group is made up of diverse members of the church and school. Participation is typically by invitation.
The Food Pantry provides assistance to those in need in the community by providing non-perishable food bags for individuals, food boxes for families, assisting with bills and rent, providing kerosene vouchers, etc. Outreach is coordinated with Catholic Charities and the Save-a-Smile program. The parish nurse assists with medical needs.
Scouting is an educational program that builds qualities of character, citizenship, sportsmanship and personal fitness, and it also spiritually trains girls, boys, and young adults. Please contact one of the leaders to find out meeting times and frequency.
The Grief Support Ministry offers bereavement services to help parishioners cope with the feelings surrounding the loss or impending loss of a loved one. The Hospice Ministry is the link between St. Anthony of Padua parishioners and the Open Arms Hospice. Volunteers are a vital part of the Hospice team; they visit patients, read to patients, run errands, write letters for patients, provide respite for the caregivers, provide office support, and help with special staff events. Eucharistic ministers are involved by taking communion to the patients.
Volunteers also provide information about hospice care and bereavement and grief support to the community and parish.
PROPEL is designed to help struggling students, especially those who will attend Greenville Senior High Academy, to succeed academically and to graduate. In its first year of implementation, PROPEL is a group mentoring program that currently serves rising seventh graders from Hughes Academy. Three-fourths of the students are African-American. Ninety-minute mentoring sessions, held every Wednesday afternoon, focus on team building, character development, the arts, academic support, and monthly field trips to a variety of locations in our community. Students, parents and mentors sign contracts pledging their commitment to the program.
This ministry is responsible for the communal contact of the gathered assembly around the Eucharist and Word to those parishioners who can not be present with us. The life of the mission and parish is brought to them.
This ministry works to provide affordable housing within the community which helps keep the poor from being pushed out by local “improvement efforts”. The faithful in this ministry help acquire homes, renovate and rebuild homes, and assist in maintaining the characteristics of the neighborhood. The Upstate Homeless Coalition helps to support families.
An educational program designed to help adults understand and participate in the peace and justice call of the Gospel.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal organization that was established on the ideas of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The organization does a great deal of work in the community at-large. Membership in the organization is open to all Catholic men 18 years of age or older who are in full communion with the Catholic Church.
This national Catholic fraternal organization is named for Peter Claver, a 16th century Jesuit priest who ministered for over 40 years to the African slave population in Cartagena, Columbia. The organization is open to men, and it actively supports the apostolic mission of the Church through spiritual and corporal works of mercy, financial contributions to worthwhile causes, and the education and development of youth.
The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary continues the work of our patron saint, Father Peter Claver, with a strong commitment to the church, the organization, and the community through service.
Lectors are readers of the word. A very important part of the life of the church, they proclaim the scripture so that we experience the Christ present now in our midst and present in the past events of salvation history. Liturgy allows us to participate in those events and experience the power and ability to transform, as we strive to imitate the life of Christ.
The St. Anthony of Padua Men's Club is a parish service and social organization that is open to all male adults who are willing to serve the church and school in the spirit of Christian obedience. The charisma of St. Francis of Assisi enlightens our commitment to respond to the concerns of the community and the poor. Visit our website at:
https://sites.google.com/site/stanthonyofpaduamensclub/.
Assist office staff with daily administrative duties necessary for the day-to-day operation of the church parish.
The Parish Council oversees the church's direction. The group is made up of diverse members of the church and school. Participation is typically by invitation.
The mission of St. Anthony of Padua Prison Ministry is to maintain a physical presence within local prisons to spread the Good News of the love of Jesus Christ and his promise of salvation to all who call upon His name. Additionally, the ministry supports outreach programs such as Kairos, Goodwill Industries, half-way houses, and worship services within local prisons. The ministry and outreach programs benefit inmates both spiritually and financially.
Religious education prepares our children and adults to live faith-filled lives, based on the life of our Savior Jesus Christ. The goal is to inspire everlasting love for God and his people. The greatest satisfaction of this ministry is that in helping others to grow in faith, we also grow in our own faith. We are inspired to live spiritual lives that are examples for others to follow. We serve God by serving other people. The faithful involved in this ministry accept responsibility for preparation.
This ministry is for the continued preservation of the unborn. Faithful in the ministry lead prayer prior to mass for the unborn. Volunteers are needed to lead prayer for each mass.
The faithful in this ministry help to gradually introduce adults and older children to the Roman Catholic Faith and way of life. The faithful sponsor an interested person and journey with them through different stages leading to full initiation (receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). This ministry welcomes non-Catholics or returning Catholics, and takes them through conversion as a “spiritual journey,” aided by those who are already faithful Catholics.
This ministry coordinates safety awareness throughout the parking lot, and around the school and church grounds before and after mass, during special events, and during school hours.
Servant Hearts is a ministry for every member of St. Anthony's Parish. Use your hands and heart to help those in our parish and community. Servant Hearts provides an easy way to serve. There are no meetings or committees. You sign up with your email and opportunities to serve are sent to you. You respond to those requests that speak to your area of giftedness and work best with your schedule.
The mission of St. Ann's Guild is to welcome newborns to the St. Anthony of Padua Church congregation, the Greenville Police Department, and Furman University Catholic communities. In an effort to affirm sanctity of life, the St. Ann's Guild welcomes newborn babies with a hand delivered blessing, and celebrates new life in our families and communities by taking Holy Communion to Catholic family members, along with a simple meal.
Founded in 1951 as a Black American Franciscan school, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School provides a high quality Catholic education. Faithful to our African-American heritage, we welcome students in Pre-K through 6th Grade from all cultures. Celebrating our diversity, we are committed to respect for each person. All charged with this mission strive to create in each student a desire for life-long learning and a commitment to being a builder of the kingdom of God.
The Stewardship Committee works on projects and events to increase and sustain gifts of time, talent, and treasure. It organizes drives and campaigns and looks after awareness throughout the year. The group also helps educate parishioners in the area of stewardship responsibility and opportunities.
The Swiffer Team cleans the church every second and fourth Saturday. Tasks include mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and organizing the church. Holy water bowls are cleaned and refilled, and general beautification of the church takes place. A second crew cleans the church on Friday when it is not done on a Saturday.
This ministry transports individuals who are unable to drive themselves to and from church or other appointments.
This is a ministry of hospitality. The usher is the first face of Christ to greet God's people as they assemble for worship and prayer. The greeting of “good morning” helps the usher to discretely discern how to welcome and what help to offer. Ushers serve in a Christ-like manner by being prayerful, patient, helpful, and understanding. Ushers radiate the joy that faith brings, as they serve the needs of others.
The Women's Council provides a variety of services to the church and school, including fundraising, planning social events, and providing meals for bereaved families. Activities include hosting senior citizen dinners, conducting school supply drives, and counseling with parents to assure success for them and their children. The group helps with voter registration and supports the neighborhood and community vegetable garden. The Women's Council is a member of the National Council of Catholic Women and participates in Water for Life with the NCCW International Commission.
The Youth Group is a social, educational and service organization for young people ages 12 to 18 years old. The group gathers to grow in faith, share mission work, and hang out in an environment of Christian fellowship. The group meets every Monday evening at 6:30 in the Gallivan Center.