COMPASSIONATE OUTREACH MASS
6 PM Sunday Evenings
(as of November 2, 2008)St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church will be celebrating a Eucharistic Liturgy aimed towards reaching out to those addicted, those in recovery, and those who love and care for and about them. The preaching, music and liturgical aspects of this Mass will be sensitive to those who are hungry and thirsting for a God of compassion, understanding, forgiveness, and healing. Through the spirituality of the 12 step programs and the scripture of the Bible in the liturgical calendar, this service will also be attractive to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, feel alienated by the Church, or who are searching for a mature understanding of the faith and its relevance to our daily lives.
COMPASSIONATE OUTREACH PRODIGAL MINISTRIES
At 7 P.M. each Sunday Evening, the Ministry Center at St. Margaret’s will host support groups and educational groups related to addiction, recovery, bereavement, and adult & family faith formation.
Beginning in September 2008, Fr. John Stabeno will facilitate multi-family addiction/recovery groups. This group will focus on the impact addiction has on the family and will help to establish greater communication and understanding of how addiction affects all family members. It will help the family to understand what the addict goes through and will help the addict to understand what the family goes through.
Given the great prevalence of abuse and addiction in Gloucester County of Oxycontin and other drugs by adolescents and young adults, this group is a must for any family who has someone who is struggling with these problems.
These groups and education sessions are free of charge although free will offerings and charitable contributions for this ministry are accepted.
Those interested in serving in a ministerial capacity for our Compassionate Outreach Mass are welcome to come to a meeting on Wednesday Evening, August 13th @ 7PM in the Ministry Center. Please contact Fr. John or Deacon Mike for further details.
We are open to ideas and suggestions as well from anyone who has an
interest in contributing to this mass. You may come to the meeting to either share your
ideas or commit to participate in one of the needed ministries, including: those
interested in serving as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Music Ministry,
Hospitality and Environment and Art.
Outreach Mass
6 PM Sunday Evening Mass
While the Sunday liturgy of the Church has but one purpose, the gathering of the community
to commemorate and celebrate God’s love for His people through Christ Jesus’
life, death and resurrection, we acknowledge that the spiritual needs of all the faithful
and all God’s children may best be nurtured by various liturgical styles, music,
spirituality and preaching which addresses particular populations and circumstances. It is
our hope that a liturgy celebrated with those who share a common struggle with alienation,
addiction, despair, and anger will foster healing and recovery in their lives.
In an effort to address the spiritual needs of those whose lives are affected by addiction, those who feel alienated by the church, or those struggling through difficult times, the Catholic Community of St. Margaret’s Church will be offering the celebration of the Eucharist each Sunday Evening at 6 P.M.
Because we believe in God’s unconditional love for His prodigal sons and daughters, we also believe that God provides for us what we need as God did for Abraham when he provided the ram for the ritual sacrifice rather than allowing Abraham to sacrifice his son. This same hope is present here. While several ministers have stepped forward to share their talents and gifts for this Eucharistic celebration, we look forward to others with an interest and background in this need to come forward and share their talents and time in making this a joyful and life-giving liturgy.
We are entering this experience with an open mind and heart. We recognize the need for more flexibility in prayer style and worship while remaining faithful to the Catholic practice and teachings. We also want to create community beyond the confines of our own parish boundaries and invite faithful from the broader community throughout the diocese to join us for this liturgy. Hence, some traditions and liturgical practices of St. Margaret’s Parish may give way for new customs and styles to reflect the needs and backgrounds of those who will be gathering for this worship service.
Additionally, we are hoping that this liturgy can serve as a springboard for other ministries and outreach. At this time, we will be welcoming families living with addictions, the addict as well as his/her family, friends, and loved ones to attend the multi-family support group that will provide education and an opportunity for personal sharing. This group will meet weekly on Sundays following refreshments after the 6 P.M. mass in the Ministry Center. The group will begin at 7 P.M. and it is not necessary that you attend the 6 P.M. liturgy to attend the group. While it will be flowing from our Eucharistic celebration, it meets independently of the Eucharist, hopefully to not exclude those of other religions and denominations or those who have attended another Sunday liturgy.
As specific details become available about this liturgy, we will share them with you.
Your feedback is also very important in helping to form this endeavor. Please contact Fr.
John Stabeno at 856-848-0047 Ext. 104 or email: frjohns@comcast.net
