St. Louis Parish Council "The parish pastoral council offers "their help in fostering pastoral activity". This act of fostering is accomplished by investigating and considering pastoral matters, and sharing insight and providing recommendations to the pastor. This activity can be described as pastoral planning." Membership on the St. Louis Parish Council is limited to 11 members, who are elected or appointed by the pastor. Vacancies for elected positions (4) are filled in by announcing openings in the St. Louis Church Bulletin and electing from among the nominees. The Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus (if from Dillon), and a member of the St. Louis Parish Finance Council are ex-officio members of the St. Louis Parish Council. The St. Louis Finance Council is required in all parishes by Canon Law. Members are chosen by the pastor and the numbers of this council will vary as appointed by the pastor. Meetings are held quarterly. Facilitated by Atty. Mary Francis Hayes, 843-774-2006. "The revised General instruction of the Roman Missal notes that since liturgy is the “primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian Spirit…the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active and full participation of the faithful both in body and mind” (No. 17) Since the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit” (SC11) of Christian life, the Liturgy Committee is actively and directly connected and concerned with all of the aspects of the liturgical and sacramental life of St. Louis Roman Catholic Church."
Purpose
"The role of the parish pastoral council is a consultative body through which the Christian faithful can offer their gifts and "their help in fostering pastoral activity." This is both the role and the purpose of the parish pastoral council.
Pastoral Activity is constituted by the following:
"Parish pastoral council members are to work with the pastor in addressing the present and future needs of the parish through a pastoral planning effort."
"Pastoral planning is accomplished by creating a mission statement for the parish, identifying pastoral needs, and establishing reasonable goals and objectives."
"The Word of God, Worship and Sacraments, Spirituality, and Christian Service are areas of concern always to be taken into account before all else. The following six areas were defined in the Diocese of Charleston Synod (1995):
The St. Louis Parish Council meets monthly. Between monthly meetings, various parish committees, including Liturgical, Buildings/Grounds & Maintenance, Outreach, RCIA, Religious Education/CCD, Women's Club, meet as necessary. St. Louis Parish Council is comprised of 11 members, including the pastor, four (4) members who are elected, two (2) ex-officio members from the Knights of Columbus (if from Dillon), and the St. Louis Finance Council, and four (4) non-elected members. St. Louis Parish Council is chaired by Mr. Brian Mason, 843-752-2748, Mrs. Brenda Lloyd, Vice-Chairman, 843-752-9427; Mrs. Gail Blue, Secretary, 843-526-0264; Mrs. Elizabeth Vergara, Convener, 843-752-1029.
St. Louis Finance Council
Purpose
St. Louis Liturgy Committee
Purpose
"Our Mission is to offer the people of St. Louis Roman Catholic Church worship experiences that foster a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. We strive for our parish’s liturgical prayer life to be reverent, beautiful and joyful in the Lord."
"The Liturgy Committee collaborates with the Pastor, the St. Louis Parish Pastoral Council, and the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Charleston. It develops and establishes objectives to accomplish for the parish, with the attention to the specific needs of our faith community and with fidelity to Roman Catholic norms."
Links:
Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium Solemnly Promulgated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963.
Adult Bible Study
Purpose
To explore the themes, ideas and perspectives found in the Word of God through the Scriptures.
To deepen our understanding of how the Scriptures apply to the lives of every Christian.
To deepen our appreciation of God's love for us and our response to that love.
To explore topics that are Scripture-based which focus on developing our spiritual walk with the Lord
Meetings weekly, Monday evenings, 7:00 P.M. St. Louis Parish Center, September through May. Check with the St. Louis Parish Bulletin for further information. Facilitated by Mr. Robert Snyder, 843-774-8807.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Purpose
The Parish and Grounds Committee is a group of laity dedicated to assessing, planning and implementing the upkeep of all parish buildings and property.
Meetings monthly , Monday evenings. Facilitated by Mr. Dennis Diamond, 843-774-8090.
Knights of Columbus
Council # 8790 Dillon & Marion, South Carolina
Purpose
To help Catholic men remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement
To set up an elementary system of insurance so that the widows and children of members of the group who might die would not find themselves in dire financial straits.
To participate in the development of yearly projects designed to foster fraternity, including: Chicken Bog Sales; Tootsie Roll Sales which benefit area Handicapped Members of our Dillon & Marion community; Picnic for Special-Need Children in Dillon & Marion community; Youth Free Throw Contest; Council 8790 College Youth Scholarship Program; Support of a Seminarian; host Easter Coffee Hour; Mass for deceased fellow brothers; host Ladies Night; host Parish Lenten Soup Supper; Yearly Altar Servers Appreciation Day.
Membership is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the Precepts of the Catholic Church. Current membership includes 40-50 enrolled members between Dillon & Marion communities. To attend catechetical workshops as needed. To prepare for weekly sessions with your group To develop through training, volunteers who are confirmed Catholics, who are willing to share their Catholic faith and knowledge with children in pre-kindergarten through grades 6, able to spend one hour weekly with their group, and are able to prepare materials for their classes. To participate in the Diocesan Virtus Training Program for all volunteers working with children on the parish level.
Meetings monthly, Monday evenings. Knights of Columbus Council 8790 Marion & Dillon facilitated by Mr. Dennis Diamond, Grand Knight, 843-774-8090.
Links:
Knights of Columbus
Knightsite
The Venerable Reverend Michael J. McGivney
Outreach Ministries
Purpose
To organize and package food for distribution to those in need, with first priority given to families within our own parish communities who may be experiencing hardships.
To organize a committee to prepare and serve one dinner annually to migrant workers within our own community.
To develop other forms of outreach as indicated based on need.
Meetings scheduled as needed to coordinate activities. Facilitated by Mrs. Jonnie Snyder, 843-774-8807.
Religious Education, CCD Program, Grades Pk-6
Purpose
To educate our youth, grades Pre-K through grades 6, in the basics of our Catholic faith, to develop an identity as a Catholic Christian, and to assist them in the development of their faith and morals.
Religious Education CCD Classes meet weekly, Sunday mornings, 9:45 A.M. Director of Religious Education, Mrs. Cathy 'Kitsy' Hunt, 843-887-9521.
RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation
Purpose
To answer inquiries posed by individuals seeking further information about the Catholic faith.
To explore, in a systematic way, topics related to the beliefs, practices and responsibilities of practicing Catholics.
To provide a support group for those seriously considering the decision to seek acceptance into our Catholic community of faith.
To assist, in anyway possible, the various faith journeys of inquirers.
Meetings scheduled by the parish priest, and Director of Religious Education, Mrs. Cathy 'Kitsy' Hunt, 864-774-9521.
St. Louis Catholic Youth Group
Purpose
St. Louis Catholic Youth Group, consisting of youth from the combined churches of St. Louis, Dillon, South Carolina, and Catholic Church of the Infant Jesus, Marion, South Carolina, is designed to further the evolution from the CCD didactic model to one of Total Youth Ministry, designed to foster a feeling of unity and identity as a Catholic Community among our young people in grades 7 through 12.
Goals
To provide social time as well as time for prayer and religious instruction at our weekly meetings.
To plan activities and experiences which will help us to attain our goals and achieve our purposes.
Meetings weekly, Wednesday evenings, 6:00 P.M. Facilitated by Mr. Brian Mason, St. Louis Youth Director, 843-7752-2748.
St. Louis Seniors Group Lunch Bunch
Purpose
The St. Louis Lunch Bunch is a social organization for all St. Louis Parish Seniors. Each one attending brings a covered dish to enjoy or participates in the monthly scheduled lunch arranged in an area restaurant.
Meetings monthly, usually Thursday afternoons, as scheduled. Facilitated by Mrs. Betty Taylor, 843-774-7965.
Stewardship Committee
Purpose
To increase the involvement of all our parishioners by encouraging them to respond to their personal call of discipleship, placing the gifts of time, talent and treasure they have been blessed with generously at the service of God's people.
Activities include annual Stewardship Fair, organizational meetings preceding and including Stewardship Sunday; distribution and utilization of the annual 'Time and Talent Surveys'.
Consisting of seven members, meetings of the Stewardship Committee are scheduled by the parish priest as needed.
Welcoming Committee
Purpose
To welcome new and prospective parishioners to the St. Louis parish community.
Introducing the new person to other parishioners after Mass.
To provide the new person with a prepared 'Welcome To St. Louis Packet.
To provide a brief tour of the grounds, if desired.
To invite the new person to attend various parish activities over the next few months.
Meetings scheduled as needed. Facilitated by Mrs. Jonnie Snyder, 843-774-8807.
Women's Club of St. Louis
Purpose
Records indicate that the St. Louis Women's Club has existed since January of 1969 and probably existed before then.
To unite women religiously and socially and to foster the ecumenical spirit within our parish community and within our surrounding community.
To develop programs for fund raising by means of activities such as bingo, spaghetti dinners, bake sales, cookbooks, and garage sales.
To purchase flowers for the church and reception areas, for special occasions and seasonal liturgical celebrations.
To purchase Mass Cards, altar server's robes, altar supplies, and as necessary, and wherever possible, office furniture and office equipment.
To sponsor annual women's retreats; annual children's Christmas party; annual parish picnics; and day trips designed to foster fraternity and fellowship.
Membership open to all women of the St. Louis Parish.
