Ministries

Altar Servers – Children from age 10 through High School are trained and serve at all of our Masses, assisting the Presider at the Liturgy.  Adult servers assist at daily Masses. 

Arimatheans – A group of caring parishioners who wish to support their brothers and sisters in Christ by attending the funeral as representatives of our faith community.

Arts and Liturgical Environment – Provides leadership in decorating the church for all the liturgical seasons.  In addition to committee members, other gifted and talented people are needed as seamstresses, carpenters, art and design specialists, and flower arrangers. 

Bereavement Ministry – A Certified Bereavement Facilitator conducts an 8-week bereavement class for anyone in need of counseling after the death of a loved one.  This ministry offers support, companionship and guidance through the grieving process, to help people accept, understand and deal with the feelings death brings to those left behind.

Bible Study –  “Breaking Open the Scriptures” is offered weekly to all who wish to increase their understanding of the following Sunday’s Scripture readings (Liturgy of the Word) and enhance their participation in the Mass.

Coffee & Donuts – To encourage friendship and community, coffee and donuts are served after the Sunday Masses.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist – Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of the Eucharist within the Liturgy of the Mass and bring Communion to the homebound and hospitalized members of our Parish.

FAITH FORMATION  & SACRAMENT PREPARATION FOR K-12TH GRADES:

Faith formation

Grades K-5, Faith First For Families is a whole family faith formation program that meets August -May. There are two parts:  1) Monthly assemblies designed for the entire family which includes dinner, prayer, and learning stations and 2) Weekly studies taught by parents in the convenience of their own home and family schedule with an online testing and reward system.

Grades 6-8, Middle School Youth Group meet weekly and includes catechesis, social, church and community service opportunities.  Registration is ongoing. Friends and visitors are always welcome.

Grades 9-12 (High School Youth Group) meet weekly and includes catechesis, social, church and community service opportunities.  Registration is ongoing. Friends and visitors are always welcome.

Sacramental Preparation

Sacramental  preparation is partnered with Faith Formation. At least one year of faith formation is a pre-requisite for enrollment for sacraments preparation (some exceptions are made for High School juniors/seniors). At the beginning of year 2, students must enroll in both faith formation and sacrament preparation classes according to age (must be at least age 7 by Sept. 1). Reconciliation is celebrated in December prior to Confirmation and First Communion, which is celebrated in the spring. After the sacraments are received, religious education and ongoing conversion continues by participation in Faith Formation until high school graduation.

Grades 2-5. Beginning in August,  parents and student attend monthly classes to prepare for First Reconciliation and the Restored Order of Confirmation and First Communion. Frequently asked questions about Restored Order is on the parish website and will be explained at the first parents sacrament meeting. Students who have already received First Communion  may enroll in this class for Confirmation preparation.

Grades 6-12.  Monthly youth-only meetings begin in August, plus an annual parent/youth retreat and other events are scheduled, in preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and/or Confirmation.

All Catholic school students who wish to receive their sacraments at St. Agnes Parish, are required to attend sacrament classes only. (Their faith formation obligation is met through their Catholic School religion class.)

All Home-schooled children using a Catholic-based curriculum, who wish to receive their sacraments at St. Agnes Parish, are required to attend the sacrament classes only. (Their faith formation obligation is met through their Catholic-based curriculum.)

All Non-Baptized school-aged children enroll in Faith Formation and, in the second  year, Sacrament Preparation classes according to their age, plus a Baptism class. They will receive the three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass, along with the adults in the RCIA program.  

NOTE:See the individual class schedule for the program(s)  in which you are enrolling.
Please read and understand program policies and class schedules before registering. 

                                                                                                                                   
Finance Council – The Finance Council assists the Pastor/Administrator in the financial administration of the parish by advising on investing, expenditures, and raising parish revenues.  They review contracts and agreements, monitor the annual parish budget, and review the quarterly financial reports to the Diocese and formulate the annual report made to the parish.

Funeral Coordinator – The Coordinator meets with the deceased relatives, offers condolences and explains the Parish’s guidelines in the Church’s Funeral Booklet. They help select the readings for the Funeral or Memorial Mass, make copies of readings to give to the Readers, give the necessary information to the priest, inform the Sacristan and request Altar Servers. They attend the funeral, greet the people, assist the family and may be Eucharistic Minister if needed.  They also send a Mass card to the deceased family from the parish.

Greeters/Ushers – The Greeters/Ushers make welcome and comfortable anyone who enters St. Agnes.  They distribute church bulletins, seat people, and make sure the collection, presentation of Gifts, and Communion go smoothly.   They work all Sunday and special Masses.  

Guadalupe Soup Kitchen – Volunteers serve at the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, setting tables, waiting on clients and cleaning up afterwards.  They also fold donated clothes and put them in the appropriate bins in the clothing room.  At the Guadalupe Early Childhood Program, also know as SEEDS, the volunteers read to the children in small group settings.  The only qualifications needed are to enjoy children.

Homebound & Hospitalized Visitation – Volunteers make visits to parishioners who are homebound or hospitalized.  Eucharistic Ministers bring Communion if requested.  Parishioners confined to the home or hospital may arrange a visit by contacting the parish office.

Knights of Columbus Council #14202 – This volunteer, fraternal men’s service organization serves Church and community needs and is the world’s largest lay Catholic family service organization.  Founded in 1882, its hallmarks are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

Knights of Columbus Assembly #3094 – Fourth Degree Knights serve our communities and nation, foster patriotism, and maintain a leadership role in the important moral issues of our time.

Ladies of St. Agnes – Strive to serve as catalysts to build a sense of family and community.  We help the parish with fundraisers and assist the parish staff and priests in any way possible.  We welcome all ladies of the parish to join and help in our endeavors.

Lectors – Trained to proclaim the Word of God, pray the general intercessions and read the announcements at Parish liturgies.

Marriage Preparation – The marriage preparation ministry prepares engaged couples for the Sacrament of Marriage.  Experienced married couples serve as sponsor teams and meet for several sessions with engaged couples, following a guided  program of important marriage issues.  Sponsor couples share their experiences on marriage-related topics and find it is also a great way to grow in their own marriage.

Music Ministry – Singers and instrumentalists use their talents to encourage sung participation of the assembly.  Ensembles include the Adult Choir, Youth Choir, and Adult and Youth Cantors.  Our Music Coordinator would welcome inquiries about sharing your talent.

Respect Life – The Respect Life Ministry is dedicated to upholding a culture of life.  The ministry follows the Catholic tradition of prayer, study/education and action, including pastoral care and legislative advocacy.  Respect Life Ministry focuses on life and death issues involving the beginning of life, end of life, capital punishment and legislative action on the parish, diocesan, state and national levels.  The St. Agnes Respect Life Ministry also works with the Collier County Coalition for Life in building a strong coalition to develop public awareness.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) – This program is designed for adults who wish to enter the Church.  Meetings begin Sunday mornings in the fall.  Participants attend the Liturgy of the Word at 8:30 Mass, reflect on the Scriptures, rejoin the congregation for coffee and donuts, followed by instruction in the Chapel.  New members are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil.

Sacrament of Baptism – Parents must be registered parishioners of St. Agnes for at least one month before requesting the sacrament.  Call the Parish Office for information.

Sacrament of Marriage – Arrangements with a priest must be made at least six months in advance.  Must be registered and attending Mass for three months.  Call the Parish Office for information.

Sacrament of Reconciliation – Saturday mornings between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in the church, and at other times by appointment. 

Sacristans – Prepare the church/chapel for the celebration of liturgies, making ready the worship space and all necessary materials, and remain present for the service. 

Sound and Screen Ministry – Runs the sound board and computer screens for all liturgies. 

St. Vincent De Paul Society – Fraternal organization of Catholic lay people who provide assistance in the form of time, funds and material goods to those in need in the local area.

Wedding Coordinator – Provides engaged couples who have met with a priest the planning booklet, offers assistance in planning the wedding ceremony.  The Coordinator or an Assistant guide the rehearsal and offer practical assistance on the wedding day.  The Coordinator may also serve as a Eucharistic Minister.