ADDITIONAL PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
Parish Organizations and Activities *** LIST IS BEING UPDATED The “Spirit of St.
Patrick’s” is alive through the wealth of organizations available to its
parishioners. Please use this information to avail yourself of the many
opportunities within our parish. For more information please call the Rectory at
914-962-5050. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Every weekday the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration from 7:30 AM to 10:00PM in the Chapel of the New Church. While parishioners are encouraged to choose a specific hour for prayer. all are urged to stop in to make a visit to our Eucharistic Lord at any time. Adult Religious Education Programs/ Adult Faith Formation Several ongoing opportunities exist in this necessary area of parish life that deepens and sustains our faith response. The implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) offers initial faith formation to people seeking to follow Christ through membership in the Catholic Church. This process also allows baptized, uncatechized Catholics to come to an understanding of their Baptism commitment and to complete their initiation. The witness of those on this visible faith journey strengthens the parish community and our parishioners who are engaged in specific ministry roles in the RCIA process clearly grow in faith as they serve. Additional Adult Programs found in the parish which form and inform us are: Renew; weekly Scripture Study Sessions; Msgr. Brennan’s New Catholic Catechism group; Tuesday morning video/discussion series sponsored by St. Patrick Parish Library staff: and periodically or upon request, Scripture or Doctrinal programs from the DeSales video/discussion/faith-sharing series. Altar Rosary Society Members foster devotion to Our Lady, especially through the Rosary. The primary responsibility of the Altar Rosary Society is the care for the all the linens and albs used for all liturgical services at both of St. Patrick’s churches. In addition the Society handles the special Christmas and Easter decorations for the Stone Church. Altar Servers From the time of our Baptism we are called to serve our Lord. The Servers meet several times during the year for instructional training and social functions. Bereavement This “early bereavement” support group began in response to a need for help in grief work. Most of the members have lost a spouse. Many have come for grief support having lost a child or elderly parent. In this early bereavement support group “grief work” is employed as a therapy and an aid to healing the wounds of loss. Listening, sharing and sympathetic understanding are prime tools employed by members to aid each other in their recovery. The early bereavement group meets on every Tuesday from 6-7:30 PM, in the meeting room of the New Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church One of the wonderful gifts of Pope John Paul II to the Church is the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. Unlike the older catechism, this is not a book of questions and answers to be memorized, but a very well written compendium of teachings of the Catholic Church. Its four major divisions are The Profession of Faith (Revelation, Scripture, the Creed). The Celebration of the Christian Mystery (Liturgy, the Sacraments), Life in Christ ( the dignity of the Human Person, The Person and Society, The Ten Commandments), and Christian Prayer ( The Call to Prayer, The Tradition of Prayer, The Lords Prayer). This book is gone through page by page with much commentary and discussion. It fills the real need of those whose Catholic education is lacking (often through no fault of their own), and will provide a fullness of knowledge and understanding for those with good fundamental knowledge of their faith.. Msgr. Brennan leads a discussion group every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 in the School Library. The group covers page by page with much commentary and discussion. It fills the real need of those whose Catholic education is lacking (often through no fault of their own), and provides a greater knowledge and understanding for those already possessing a good fundamental knowledge of their faith. CCD Parents Organization The Parents Organization supports our CCD program through involvement of the parents, children and staff. The activities provide opportunities to bring the family members together. It promotes unity and community spirit through religious and social activities and conducts periodic fundraising activities to support the program. The members of this group produce an informative newsletter to update the parents. Some of the accomplishments of the group include the annual Valentines Day Dance and the Student of the Month program. There is a monthly meeting and all parents of CCD children are encouraged to join. EARN (Employment Assistance and Resource Network) This ministry of St. Patrick’s provides support for individuals and their families who are experiencing an employment crisis, by identifying and channeling available resources which can best assist them in their time of need. The group works through its bi-monthly insert in our bulletin and monthly meetings. The insert “Employment Exchange” provides a listing of available jobs and positions plus the opportunity to advertise one's skills and availability. The meetings provide guest speakers that address issues for people seeking employment. Qualified professionals are invited to provide useful information to those in the job market. The meetings also provide an opportunity for networking with others. The meetings are held at the Parish Center of the New Church, 7:45 PM on the first Thursday of the month. Gabriel Project Starting 3-25-2001 this outreach program provides assistance to any woman who is in a crisis pregnancy. For help call 1-866-BABYDUE. Home School Association The Home School Association assists the parish school by volunteer service and fund-raising. It promotes communication among parents, teachers and clergy of the parish. There is a general meeting each month of the school year, stressing the continuation of Catholic ideals in education. Hospitality The hospitality group provides our Parish with the opportunity to build community, spiritually and socially. St. Patrick’s Parish is large and sometimes the chances to meet and socialize with your fellow parishioners are limited. Every Sunday from the 3rd week in September to the 1st week of May after the 9:15 Mass, the members of Hospitality provide us the time and atmosphere to meet in the Msgr. Lynch Parish Center to share in some good nourishment for the body and some community spirit. If you have the chance to join your fellow parishioners after the 9:15 mass, you will find a warm and friendly place. Lectors The Lector's role during the Liturgy is to convey the word of God to the Assembly. Reading the Scriptural passages enhances the Spiritual experience for all of us. A group of dedicated people provides this ministry in our parish. Library Our parish library is a treasure of inspiring and entertaining videos and books which you may borrow free of charge. Select from over 350 videos, some especially designed for children. You will find classic Christian movies, films on the Blessed Mother and the Saints, inspiring talks and more. The library also has over 2000 books for your enjoyment, inspiration and education. Videos may be signed out for a week, books for three weeks. If you want to use a video tape for a class or a group meeting, a longer loan period can be arranged. Library hours are Sundays from 10:15AM to 12:30PM, and Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:00AM. Videos and books may be returned either to the library or to the Rectory. On Tuesday mornings from October through May the library previews a video which is not yet part of its collection. All are welcome to attend this film showing and also enjoy refreshments. The library is staffed by volunteers. Marian Shop The Marian Shop, located downstairs in the Msgr. Lynch Parish Center, is a Religious and Catholic Goods store. Items are sold at retail or slightly below and proceeds benefit St. Patrick’s School. The shop is open Sundays from 10:15AM to 12:30PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30AM to 11:00AM and is closed holidays and throughout the months of July and August. The shop provides a wide variety and selection of bibles, books, Rosary Beads, jewelry, gift items, baptismal items, RCIA gifts, First Communion and Confirmation needs. Twelve volunteers staff the shop. Men’s Bible Study The Men’s Bible Study Group meets every Thursday at 6:00AM in the lower level of the Stone Church. The program creates an informal environment to pursue bible study using programmed study guides. A strong Christian support group for men has developed. Time is spent in intercessory prayer. There is one retreat per year. Midnight Run “Midnight Run is an attempt to find a common ground between those of us who are housed and those of us who are not. Midnight Run tries to provide the homeless poor with a few of the bare essentials needed for survival. Midnight Run stands shoulder to shoulder with those who live in the shadows of the city” (excerpts from Midnight Run, Inc. statement of purpose). St. Patrick’s parish is blessed with a very active group that attends to that purpose to its fullest extent. Several times during the year this small group of parishioners ask for donations of various essentials to bring down to the homeless of New York City. You can help by providing the items requested, helping to prepare the food to hand out, or making a run into the city to distribute the items. Miraculous Medal Novena This novena starts with a weekly mass Monday at 7:30PM in the Stone Church. Music Ministry “ Those who sing pray twice.” The Music Ministry at St. Patrick’s includes our Junior Choir (grades 3-8), our High School choir, our ensembles for the 5:15, 9:15, and 12:30 Masses, our 11:00 Mass choir, the 10:30 Folk Group, and our organists and cantors. Members of our Music Ministry serve the parish by helping to lead the sung prayer at weekend and Holy day Liturgies and at sacramental celebrations. Weekly rehearsals are times for learning and prayer to prepare for serving our sisters and brothers at worship. All are welcome to share in this ministry. Nocturnal Adoration Society A spiritual organization of dedicated men and women who spend one hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament of the evening of the third Monday of each month from 8-9PM or 9-10PM in the New Church Chapel. OutReach St. Patrick’s OutReach program consists of a group of parish volunteers who are available to provide certain attentive services for the elderly, the home bound and other special situations in the Yorktown/Somers community. OutReach services typically include a few hours per week dedicated to one or more of the following types of assistance: friendly home visits, telephone reassurance, escort services for medical care or shopping trips, light household chores, some new mothers helpers assistance and other related needs. Parenting Education Center The mission of Parenting Education is to present information pertinent to age-appropriate behavior and development, teach family communication, conflict resolution and discipline skills, and to create supportive networks for parents seeking to raise spiritually and emotionally Catholic families. Several types of programs are offered, some available weekly, some monthly, some special sessions that run once a week for two, three, or four meetings. Parentcare is a once a week educational discussion group focusing on the progress of each individual child in families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. There are currently five of these groups meeting one hour on Monday or Wednesday. Moms ‘n Tots ‘n Pops is a Friday morning meeting for the same age group with a focus on lecture type presentation of more generalized information. . In both of these programs, children come along and play while parents learn and socialize and pray together. There is a monthly evening gathering, an extension of the two programs, for parents of children in preschool and early elementary school. There will be a monthly meeting for parents of teenagers. Limited duration workshops for parents of grade school and pre-teen can
be offered upon request: Parish Council The mission of St. Patrick’s Parish is to help its parishioners to live the message of Jesus Christ through consideration of their spiritual and, where appropriate, temporal well being. It is the role of the Parish Council to provide the leadership in fulfilling this mission. Members of the Council work through its committees to reach out to the parish and the community. Membership is comprised of the priests and 15 elected members. Five members are elected each year and serve a three-year term. All parishioners 18 years and older are welcome to run for election. General Council Meetings are open to all parishioners and are held on the fourth Monday of the month in the Parish Center at 8:15 PM. Anyone interested in having an issue addressed by the Council or interested in serving as a member should contact the Rectory. Prayer Group Prayer meetings focus on praising and thanking God in prayer and song. Recognizing their need for the Holy Spirit, the group prays for His power and gifts to be active in their lives. Scripture is read to hear God’s guidance and members share how God has been working in their lives. Members of the Prayer Group pray for each other, their families and loved ones, and others in need. Do you need prayer for a special intention? Call their prayer network. The Prayer Group sponsors Healing Masses both at St. Patrick’s and at St. John’s in Mahopac. Prayer meetings are held at 8 PM on Thursday in the Parish Center and everyone is welcome. The Prayer Group hosts quarterly Cluster meetings of the prayer groups of Northern Westchester and Putnam parishes. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) This is now the approved way for the non-baptized, or the baptized but non-instructed, to be received into the Church. Scriptural, liturgical and instructional components make up this process which is directed by our Catechumenate Director and a team of parishioners. Renew Renew is a spiritual renewal process to help parishioners develop a closer relationship with Christ, to make a commitment to Jesus as central in their lives and to open them to the power of the Holy Spirit. RENEW is a way to connect religion to your daily life. This is
accomplished by small groups meeting and through prayer, scripture and sharing life
experiences as they relate to the scriptures. Renew groups meet twice during a year, generally once a week, for a six week period. Respect Life This is a committee concerned with the dignity of human life in all its stages. Scouts Within the parish there are Boy Scouts, Webelos, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Scripture Rosary
It is an unfortunate fact that many Catholic marriages end in divorce. It is a tumultuous experience that creates upheaval in the family, and in the entire parish community as well. There is also much misinformation and misunderstanding that unnecessarily alienates individuals from the Church, just when they most need support. The Ministry to the Separated and Divorced offers support, outreach and a caring presence during this stressful time. This Archdiocesan program offers information, education and an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. This group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, in the Family Education Center. Each session will provide an opportunity for participants to express their emotions and experiences, receive support related to any ongoing crisis, and to participate in discussion of the topic for that day. Some of the many topics covered are: loss and the grieving process; parenting during a divorce; anger; loneliness vs. being alone; forgiveness; healing; coping with the holidays; church teaching on divorce and annulment. Group facilitators are not professional counselors; they are Catholics who have experienced divorce themselves and have been trained by the Archdiocese of New York to implement this support program in the parish community. This is a Christ-centered group founded on the teachings of the Catholic Church; ALL ARE WELCOME! Come and be assured that you do not have to go through this experience alone. For more information, call St. Patrick's office at 914-962-5050. Special Ministers of the Eucharist Ministers are people entrusted to perform a special function for members of their community. As a result of changes made by and the vision of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church, officially recognizes the ministry of helping priests and deacons in the distribution of Holy Communion either at Mass or when the Eucharist is carried to the homebound or hospitalized. These people are recognized as Special Ministers of the Eucharist. This ministry to the homebound represents an extension of the Parish’s Liturgy. St. Patrick’s is fortunate to have a dedicated and loyal group involved as Special Ministers of the Eucharist who serve our community faithfully and in a reverential way. Formation as a Special Minister involves a series of training sessions that include both the theology and practical aspects of this ministry and ends with commissioning. If you are interested or would like to nominate someone whom you feel is interested and willing to make a commitment to this ministry please contact the rectory. Support Groups Within the parish there are support groups for Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. Supermarket Gift Certificates This volunteer group sells gift certificates for some of the local supermarkets before and after weekend masses. Our parish receives 5% of all sales. Teams of Our Lady The purpose of the Teams of Our Lady is to help couples grow spiritually in their sacrament. Several couples come together once a month with a chaplain to share a meal like the early Christians (each couple brings something towards the meal). The couples take turns hosting the meeting. They pray together, discuss study material, which has been chosen for the year and share their experience since the last meeting. There are various special activities such as retreats, evenings when all the teams gather together, and Marriage Enrichment day which was open to all the parishes in the Archdiocese. At each meeting a decade of the rosary is said for the vocations of the priesthood and for strengthening of marriage. Teams of our Lady is a worldwide movement started in France in 1938, then started because of war started actively in 1945. St. Patrick’s group is called a sector and currently has 12 teams. Ushers The ushers of St. Patrick’s Church play an integral role in our parish spirit. They provide us with the comfort of a friendly greeting when we enter the Church for Mass. Their responsibilities start before many of us arrive. Some of the more obvious tasks include: helping people find seating, arrange for the presentation of the gifts, and collection of the offerings. When we finally leave the Church the Ushers are there to hand out the bulletins with the same warmth that greeted you before. Vacation Bible School Each summer for two weeks our children are provided the opportunity to spend some time with Jesus as well as their friends, through our Vacation Bible School. The children learn scripture in a manner they can easily understand. There is time for play, crafts and songs all structured around Bible lessons. Several adult and student volunteers serve as guides for the children during the two weeks. St. Patrick’s school and play area serve as the backdrop for this fun-filled and spiritual way for your children to enjoy part of their summer. The program is for children from ages 4 to 11, and runs from 9:00AM to noon Monday through Friday. Adult volunteers are always needed to join in this special time with the children. Widow and Widower The Widow and Widower group is a follow-on to the Bereavement group. It's purpose is to provide a social gathering for parishioners and to provide for mutual support and sharing of experiences. The gatherings include brunches, attending shows, and social activities. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:30PM to 9:00PM in the Msgr. Lynch Parish Center. Yorktown Community Help Yorktown Community Help, Inc. is a non profit organization which was started in the 1960’s by a group of Yorktown area clergy and civic leaders to help provide food for the needy of Yorktown at holiday time. In the early 1980’s the community life committee of St. Patrick’s parish council joined the group, which was down to just a few members, to revitalize and continue the work. We have 3 large holiday distributions, at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas for about 125 families in Yorktown. On the third Wednesday of each month we have a distribution of about 100 bags of food. Food is collected at the Yorktown and Lakeland Schools at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as many businesses in town. Cash donations are received at Easter time at St. Patrick’s as well as other churches and synagogues. Civic organizations support the needs on a year round basis. Students from St. Patrick’s School and CCD programs provide Christmas and Easter baskets. Holiday time food is sorted by many youngsters doing community service from St. Patrick’s, other churches, Boy and Girl Scouts and adults of the community. To Help support the food needs, “ Thrifty Me,” a thrift shop, is located at Yorktown Community Cultural Center. This is staffed by workers from the churches and civic organizations in Yorktown. People who receive the food are referred to us by Yorktown area pastors, schools, officials, social services, section 8 and other referral agencies. We feel that in a small way the food needs of our Yorktown neighbors are met. “When I was hungry you gave me to Eat, Youth Ministry (GOD's TYM Total Youth Ministry) GOD's TYM is a youth group for teens in grades 8 through 12. God's TYM seeks to help young people in all dimensions of their lives–emotional, spiritual, and relational–and addresses issues especially important to teens, such as peer pressure, sexuality, and drugs. God's TYM helps teens explore their commitment to Jesus Christ, but all in a context of exciting activities and excursions, service projects, and serious dialogue about what’s important in their lives. The group meets every Sunday from 7:00PM to 9:00PM in the Msgr. Lynch Parish Center. Click here for more information: GOD's TYM |
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