St. Norbert Catholic Church

and School

Florissant, MO 63031

St. Norbert Parish Organizations And Groups

PARISH COUNCIL A main policy making body that comprises the Pastor, the heads of Finance, Adult Faith, Liturgy, Community, and Christian Service Commissions. The Parish Council meets third Monday of every month and keeps the Parish focused on its vision and goals.

 

 

EDUCATION

 

ST. NORBERT SCHOOL
St. Norbert Day School educates children from pre-school through eighth grade. Kindergarten is a full or half day. Mrs. Pam Gilbert is Principal of St. Norbert School, which has nearly 400 students. There are 2 classrooms for most grade levels. There is a hot lunch program. Special programs include Art, Music, Computer Lab, Physical Education, Liturgical Music, weekly Mass, Library, Student Leadership of St. Norbert, Speech League, National Geography Bee, Essay and Poster Contests, Newspapers in Education Week, St. Norbert Newspaper, Track Meet, Musical presentations, President's Fitness, 600-Minute Reading, Pizza Hut Book It Reading Program, Pasta House Reading Program, Junior Achievement, Palmer Music Band, and summer tutoring. Students wear uniforms. The boys wear white dress shirts and navy dress pants. The girls in grades K-3 wear a plaid jumper with a white shirt. Navy shorts are worn in warm weather and long navy pants are worn on very cold days. Plain white, black, or brown shoes are worn by both boys and girls. Used uniforms are available for purchase. Contact the Principal, Mrs. Pam Gilbert, at 839-0948 for tuition and registration information.

 

HOME AND SCHOOL:

Informs school parents of yearly goals for the School. Fosters parent partnership by sponsoring fund-raisers to provide the additional money to accomplish the goals.

 

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION AND PSR BOARD OF EDUCATION Instruction in our Catholic Faith for those children who do not attend Catholic school.  Fun and friendly classes are held on Monday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30 during the school year.  For more information, contact Deacon Bill Twellman

 

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR CHILDREN:

Instruction for children wishing to join the Catholic faith or who, for whatever reason, have not yet received sacraments appropriate for their age level.

 

 

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

 

LIFE TEEN - for 9th thru 12th graders.  Meets every Sunday following the 6 PM Youth Mass at St. Norbert

 

EDGE - for 6th -8th graders.  Meets Monday evenings.

 

ATHLETICS COMMITTEE: Provides a comprehensive sports programs (for grades K thru 8) to promote confidence, skills, fun, and Christian values in a competitive environment. Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball and Golf.  Raises funds to provide for much needed parish improvements, especially for the gymnasium and playing fields. Sponsors occasional adult recreation nights.

 

CUB SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS - Boys groups are available from grade one through eighth grade. Helps round out young men in God, country, family and himself. Look for sign ups in September.

 

GIRL SCOUTS - Serves the girls in our community. Scouting troops are available for girls from kindergarten through eighth grade.

 

ADULT FAITH & SUPPORT

 

ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Coordinates parish programs (talks, films, etc.), serving the spiritual needs of adult parishioners.

 

 

EVENINGS FOR THE ENGAGED: Engaged couples are paired with a married couple for prayer, discussion, marriage preparation and discernment before making this life commitment.

 

 

DOOR TO DOOR EVANGELIZATION: Pairs of parishioners travel throughout the neighborhoods of our parish boundaries, in a door-to-door effort to promote Catholic presence and to invite our neighbors to join us in faith and worship.

 

 

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Arranges weekends for couples with good marriages.

 

 

RETROUVAILLE: Arranges weekend for couples with troubled marriages.

 

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:

12 Hours of Adoration - every Tuesday after 8am Mass until 7:30 pm. Individuals and families commit to at least one specific hour per month.

 

 

PRAYER GROUPS

 

Prayer Chain

 

Our Lady Spiritual Vessel, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. in the Kaletta Room.  We come together to praise God in song, prayer and scripture, and to intercede for the needs of our parish.  Please join us.  Contacts:  Lorraine at 8.9-0207 or Phyllis at 838-7598

 

Heart of Jesus Prayer Community, Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Daily Mass Chapel.  Worship & Praise with Healing Service.  All are welcome!

 

Jonah Team Ministry, are available after 5 PM & 11 a.m. Masses the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month to pray with you for your personal needs in the Daily Mass chapel.

 

 

LITURGY

 

LITURGY COMMISSION: Umbrella group which coordinates liturgical planning and liturgical ministries.

 

VOCAL CHOIRS: Provide the music at all weekend liturgies and as needed for funeral liturgies. Includes:

à Individual cantors

à Sunday 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. choirs

à Children's choir

à Funeral choir

 

Bell Choir: Provides music for special liturgies, and also perform at area nursing homes or churches. Volunteers do not need to read music, but must commit to scheduled rehearsals and scheduled Masses.

 

 

LECTORS: Proclaim the pre-Gospel scriptural readings, the petitions, and the closing announcements during Mass. Attendance at a special training program is required. High school age through adult

 

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Individuals (aged 18 and over) who are commissioned to perform as extraordinary administers of the sacrament of Holy Eucharist during Mass or during home visitation to the sick and homebound.

 

 

GIFT BEARERS: Parish families bring the bread and wine to the altar during weekend and holy day liturgies.

 

 

LITURGICAL LINENS: Provides services of washing, ironing, and mending altar linens and server albs. Provides sewn baptismal robes.

 

 

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: Sunday during 9am and 11am Mass (Sept - May). Provides children (grades K thru 4) teaching on the Sunday gospel readings.

 

 

ALTAR SERVERS: Youth (5th graders and older) who serve at school, weekend or special liturgies. Adults conduct server training and maintain server rotation schedules.

 

 

ANGEL DUSTERS: Volunteer teams maintain a rotating weekly commitment to do ‘light’ cleaning of the church. Efforts include dusting, clearing pews of leftover papers, watering floral arrangements, cleaning glass doors etc.

 

 

HYMNAL MAINTENANCE: Replaces all missals in hymnal book jackets. Effort requires one or two hours approximately 5 to 6 times a year.

 

 

USHERS/GREETERS: Provide hospitality at all weekend liturgies. Welcome people as they enter the Church. Acquaint visitors or new parishioners with facilities and services available. Help find seating for those attending heavily-attended services. Ages teen thru adult welcome.

 

 

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA): Program for adults wishing to investigate or join the Catholic faith. Volunteer sponsors, prayer partners, catechists, and faith sharers welcome. All training provided; no special prior experience required.

 

SOCIAL

COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS: Provides hospitality after all Sunday Masses for parishioners of all ages to greet old friends and make new ones. Volunteers make coffee and provide table setup/cleanup.

 

MEN’S COMMISSION

Men's Commission: Provides social and spiritual programs for all men of the parish. Raises money for charity. Sponsors men’s annual retreat, social events for entire parish, as well as many service projects.

 

50 PLUS CLUB:

Provides social and informational programs for parishioners, 50 years old or better.

 

PARISH PICNIC COMMITTEE:

Organizes and runs parish picnic -- includes arranging for rides, food and game booths and co-ordination of volunteer workers.

 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:

A Catholic, fraternal and service organization. Sponsors many spiritual and social events for the Knights and their families, as well as for the whole parish.

 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS WOMEN’S AUXILIARY:

Open to wives or widows and adult daughters of Knights. Group raises money for charity and sponsors many service projects.

SERVICE

SERVICE TO PARISHIONERS:

FUNERAL MEALS:

Parishioners bring dishes for family members of parishioners being buried from St. Norbert.

 

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY:

For U.S. Catholics, we have special responsibilities and opportunities to meet civic challenges. This is a time to bring together the guidance of the Gospel and the opportunities of our democracy to shape a society more respectful of human life and dignity, and more committed to justice and peace. See questions the U.S. Catholic Bishops recommend as we consider public policy.  Faithful Citizenship Information and Resources

 

RESPECT LIFE APOSTOLATE:

Sponsors fund-raising events for local pro-life agencies. Helps parishioners attending Pro-Life March in Washington, DC each January. Provides literature on impending pro-life legislation. Schedules speakers on pro-life topics when requested. Collects new and gently used maternity or baby items, and delivers them to crisis pregnancy centers, especially Thrive, (formerly known as the Pregnancy Resource Center of North County), at 3394 McKelvey Suite 102A, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Contact them at 314-785-0211 or (618) PREGNANT, or e-mail them..

 

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE:

Works to stimulate parishioner awareness of Catholic social teaching and ways to respond to the teaching. Includes participation in North County organizations and events.

 

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice

St. Norbert is a Member of NCCU (North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice) led by Dr. Rance Thomas. In December 1999, the NCCU Covenant was signed by 225 parishioners and St. Nobert's name was added to the list of 20 North County churches that have signed the pledge. See the Covenant link on the NCCU homepagefor more information.

 

HONDURAS PROJECT:

A parish-wide effort to send money and volunteers to the hospital and nutrition center in El Progresso. This effort began as a support to the lone efforts of former parishioner Dr. Mary Carter to minister to the sick and the needy of Honduras.

 

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY:

Provides temporary emergency financial assistance for gas and electric bills to families within our parish boundaries.

 

BLOOD DRIVE:

Several times a year blood drives are held at our parish, providing us a convenient way to be blood donors. Volunteers help with registration, canteen, and of course give blood.

 

KAREN HOUSE:

Catholic Worker shelter in the City of St. Louis. Sandwiches are made at home, individually bagged, and stored in the freezer at the Rectory. Volunteers drive the sandwiches to Karen House.

 

MISSIONARIES of CHARITY SOUP KITCHEN:

St. Norbert groups help prepare and serve lunch to the poor at the North St. Louis soup kitchen run by the Missionaries of Charity (founded by Mother Teresa).

 

ST. PATRICK CENTER:

Provides assistance to area poor and homeless. Parishioners contribute casseroles and school supplies. Volunteers transport items to the Center.

 

T.E.A.M. PANTRY:

The Emergency Assistance Ministry (TEAM) is a cooperative ministry of many North St. Louis County churches serving the poor of Florissant and Hazelwood with Rental/Utility Assistance and food. Non-perishable food donations can be left in the Cry Room closet. Volunteers drive items to TEAM and staff the food pantry at 265 St. Catherine St. (near St. Ferdinand Rd) in Old Town Florissant. Call 314-831-0879.

 

PRISON MINISTRY -- RESIDENTS ENCOUNTER CHRIST (REC):

Provides retreat weekends to prison inmates. Volunteers are trained before assisting in any retreat. Donations of baked cookies for a weekend or money to defray the lodging costs of REC Team members or prayer support during a weekend are always welcomed.

 

FACILITIES

PARISH MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE:

Parishioners help maintain parish facilities with their carpentry, electrical, heating/air conditioning, construction/structural, plumbing and landscaping/grounds expertise.  Teens, retired persons, women and men are all welcome.

 

POND MAINTENANCE: Provides periodic care of pond. Readies pond for winter and cleans it for spring.

 

SCHAEFER HALL RENTAL

For information about renting Schaefer Hall, call (314) 831-3874. The newly renovated Hall ha beautiful chandeliers, drapes and stage which make it a beautiful place for any party or event. With round tables, the hall can hold 150. It will hold 250 with chairs only.  There is plenty of parking. Our facility is handicap accessible.

FINANCE AND FUND RAISING

FINANCE COMMISSION:

Coordinates finance-related activity and serves in advisory capacity to pastor on financial issues.

 

ACA PLEDGE DRIVE COMMITTEE:

Volunteers contact every registered parishioner, to solicit their financial support of the annual Archdiocesan Catholic  Appeal (ACA), which collects funds for the many charitable activities and services provided by the archdiocese.

 

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE:

Organizes promotion of stewardship and festival of ministries, processes Time and Talent surveys and forwards volunteer information to the appropriate organization contacts.

 

TITHING COMMITTEE:

Provides quarterly disbursement of parish funds allocated for the poor and those involved in works of charity (locally, nationally, and internationally).

 

MAILING ASSISTANCE:

Team of parishioners prepares newsletters and other materials for mailing.

 

TOGETHER WE’RE BETTER (TWB):

Together We're Better is an opportunity for parishioners to benefit parish and school by purchasing certificates that can be used at area stores and restaurants. No cost to purchaser but percentage is returned to school or parish. The Together We're Better order form is on the school web site.

 

FALL DINNER AUCTION COMMITTEE:

Organizes and runs auction and dinner – includes solicitation of parishioners and area businesses for auction items.

 

PARISH PICNIC COMMITTEE: 

The Parish Picnic is held in May.  This committee organizes and runs the parish picnic.