ministry

	Father Madden, a native of Ireland, first came to Georgia in the 1970's, serving parishes in Albany, GA and other parts of southwest Georgia. He subsequently served in the U.S. Navy as a chaplain, a position from which he retired before returning to this area. We are fortunate to have him as our Pastor and to have his leadership during the process of building our new church!

Parish Council Ex Officio Members

Sister Mildred Morrissey, FMM

The parish council of Christ the King invites parishioners to bring any concerns or questions they may have relative to Christ the King to its attention.

We are privileged to have sisters from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary as members of our parish. The sisters serve in a variety of ways in our community, and help us in our church. They are:

Sister Mildred Morrissey: Sister Milldred is is a native of Boston and attended Boston State College and also Saint Louis University, graduating as a teacher. She spent 20 years in Australia as a teacher and then worked in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She was a principal of several schools and is now a retired teacher and social worker. In March, 2004 Sister Millie expanded her role with Christ the King when she was appointed Director of Religious Education.

Sister Anne Kelly: Sister Anne's arrival rounds out the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in our mission parish. Sister Anne spent twenty years in Pakistan, from 1958 to 1978, teaching English to young women who would otherwise not have been able to attend high school. Her last assignment was in Saint Louis where she taught English in the homes of non-English speaking families. She said that "Pakistan stood me in good stead for this assignment". A native of Providence, RI., Sister entered the FMM's after high school. She has been involved in literacy through the years and as her ministry continues to teach English to non-English speakers or those who do not speak the language well. If you or someone you know would benefit from Sister's Anne's ministry, please call her at 663-2783, or at the church office.

Lay Ministers include Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, Gift Bearers and Altar Servers. Click here for the current lay minister schedule.

There are many ways to put your faith into action alongside your fellow parishioners at Christ the King. Click on the links below to examine opportunities in the areas of:

To get printable copies of the Time and Talent Brochure and the intention form, click the appropriate link below:

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Eucharistic ministers participate at Mass and also take the sacrament to the sick and homebound. Appointments are made by the Bishop of Savannah for three years based on the recommendation of Father Madden. Must be over 18, a member of the parish, and have completed the required training.

LECTORS: Lectors proclaim the word of God at Mass. They should be good readers and communicators. Contact Sister Anne, FMM, for more information.

USHERS AND GREETERS: Adults 17 and up are invited to serve as ushers by helping with collections, seating, and handing out bulletins and other materials. Point of contact is Bob Dunlap.

GIFT BEARERS: These parishioners take gifts to the altar at the offertory. Contact Bob or Gerry Dunlap.

ALTAR SERVERS:Students who have received their First Communion are eligible. Training sessions are held periodically. Altar servers are scheduled for all Masses. Contact Sister Mildred, FMM for more information.

SACRISTANS: These parishioners prepare the altar for Mass, clean and press the altar linens and take care of the sanctuary. Contact Gerry Dunlap for more information.

CHURCH DECORATING COMMITTEE: Decorates the church for special feasts. Contact: Janice Steele

MUSIC MINISTRY: Members of the choir and song leaders lead the music at Masses. Practices are arranged when needed. We also invite anyone who plays an instrument to participate. Contact Emma Jayne Kretlow for more information.

FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians United for Service): This is a joint effort of Harris County churches to provide assistance to people in need. Many of our parishioners are active in its work. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every other month at 7:00 PM at the FOCUS House in Hamilton. Some initiatives of FOCUS include the following:

· Thrift Shop: Located the FOCUS House in Hamilton. Good used clothing is collected, sorted and sold or given away.

· Food Bank: Food is collected at our church and stored at the Food Bank in Hamilton. A Thanksgiving Food Drive is conducted in November.

· Child Abuse Prevention: A child abuse prevention awareness puppet show is offered to second graders at the county elementary schools in cooperation with the Department of Family and Children's Services.

· Home Repair: Repairs are made to homes of needy or disabled Harris County residents. Work times are scheduled as needed.

Those interested in participating may contact Lynda Frerichs for more information.

HARRIS COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Harris County Habitat builds decent affordable housing for those in need. Prospective homeowners partner with Habitat volunteers by providing 500 hours "sweat equity" on the construction of their own or others' houses, and pay for their homes with 20 year interest-free mortgages. Volunteers are needed for construction on Saturday workdays, fund-raising, family selection and support, and other aspects of the work. No construction experience is necessary; volunteers are trained on the job. Harris County Habitat monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM in the Hamilton Methodist Church, and prospective volunteers and homeowners are always welcome to attend. Contact Cay Grant for more information.

PRISON MINISTRY: Several parish women make weekly visits to women incarcerated in the Muscogee County Jail.

This ministry provides faith development for all members of the parish family. We are delighted to have Sister Millie Morrissey as Religious Education Director, March 2004.

CHILDREN - K to Confirmation Age (Grades 7-8): Classes are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:10 AM in the Education building.

YOUTH GROUP (after Confirmation through High School): Activities and religious education classes are organized for the youth. Classes are held Sundays, after the 10:30 am Mass, in the Pastoral Center . Special activities are arranged by youth group advisors. Contact Dick Weaver.

ADULT EDUCATION: Courses are offered in Bible Study, Spirituality, and Faith Development from October through May. Classes are held Sunday from 9:00 to 10:10 AM, and Wednesday morning following 9:30 AM Mass.

CATHOLIC INFORMATION CLASS (RCIA): Information classes are offered for those of other faiths who are interested in the Catholic faith and for Catholics who wish to update their knowledge of the faith. Classes are held Sunday from 9:00 to 10:10 AM.

HOSPITALITY: The Welcoming Ministry calls on new and prospective new church members to offer greetings and information. Church members may assist ailing and bereaved families by preparing and serving food for Funeral Receptions, or cooking and delivering Meals for the Sick/Homebound. Can you provide Transportation to church or appointments for a church member unable to drive? Can you Visit the Homebound or Nursing Home Residents? Your help will be a blessing!

TELEPHONE TREE AND PRAYER CHAINS: Sharing urgent parish news and/or inviting prayers for parishioners’ needs requires the help of those willing to make telephone calls and/or respond to e-mail prayer requests. Contact the church office if you would like to help.

COUPLES GROUP: Monthly evening of fun and fellowship for couples in their thirties. Contact Tammy Kowalsky for more information.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN and OTHER FUND-RAISING: Help us seek grants and financial gifts for the construction of our parish buildings, or organize and conduct various fund raising activities. Recent examples include the Low Country Boil, the St. Patrick's Day Party, the Turkey Shoot. New ideas are always welcome. Food Events: contact Lowell Hammock or Pat Veneziani.

STEWARDSHIP: Members organize the parish stewardship program of sharing our time, talents and treasure with the church and community. Contact Didi Taylor to get involved.

GROUNDS, MAINTENANCE AND PARKING: This committee oversees the building and grounds of the church and the priest's residence. Assistance is often needed to direct traffic before and after Mass. Contact Bill McClarnon for the church or Don Taylor for the priest's residence.

PARISH COMMUNICATIONS: Report/write for the bulletin or the newsletter, or contribute your skills to the parish website. Contact for publications is Dot Doyle and for the website is Tammy Pierce.