Social Ministries

Mission Statement

1. St. Peter’s Women of Service (SPWS) will provide outreach services to members of the St. Peter Catholic Church community.
2. SPWS will strive to address the social needs of this same community.

Possible Services

1. Home visits to provide socialization
2. Rides to and from doctor visits
3. Short periods of respite from caregivers
4. “Check in” phone calls to those who may be home bound
5. Personal greeting cards
6. Maintaining prayer list

Procedure

1. Referral/Request for services (call the office at 305-872-2537)
2. Contact made by Coordinator
3. Assessment and explanation of services
4. Consent received to provide services
5. Appropriate provider(s) assigned
6. Monitoring and follow-up

Support for Women of Service

Ongoing training/education

Prayer

Physical/Emotional support

St. Peter Religious Education coordinates monthly Youth Masses during the CCD year.  Students play a special role in these masses – they serve as the choir; students read the first and second readings and Prayers of the Faithful.  On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve they share their theatrical talents with us. During Lent our students and teenagers play important roles in the Living Stations of the Cross.

Religious Education continues in the summer with our annual, one-week Vacation Bible School (VBS).  Each year brings a new VBS theme and another chance to learn more about our faith and God’s love. We learn through storytelling, music, crafts and games. VBS is non-stop fun! Children of all denominations are welcome.

Our parish Religious Education program relies almost entirely on volunteer support.  There is always room for additional CCD teachers, substitute teachers, aides, and special event coordinators.  Religious Education volunteers must fulfill the following requirements:

1) complete the Archdiocese of Miami Volunteer Application Form;
2) attend Virtus Protecting God’s Children Protecting God’s Children training;
3) agree to and sign the Volunteer Pledge to Promote Safe Environment; and
4) complete a background screening.  The above requirements are trivial in comparison to the joy and reward of helping to form the future generations of St. Peter Peterites.

The registration form is available at this link, or in the church vestibule or in the parish office. Return completed forms in person to Rosalinda Hally, C.R.E. or by mail to: St. Peter Catholic Church, 31300 Overseas Hwy., Big Pine Key, FL 33043.

See the St. Peter Catholic Church Religious Education Handbook for more information.

Please contact Rosalinda Hally, C.R.E. by email or phone, {Parish Office} 305-872-2537  &  {Cell} 305-942-9975 for information regarding St. Peter Church Religious Education.

Education Fund

For a number of years, our Education Fund has helped young people attend Catholic schools and college when they could not otherwise afford it. Sale of these certificates has been the major source of revenue for this fund.  Unfortunately, our sales have declined, limiting our ability to adequately provide for our young people.

One reason for this decline is a misunderstanding about what Educational Fund Certificates are. These gift certificates are redeemable at certain major merchants and restaurants in our area. The gift certificates are treated as cash wherever you use them.  You pay the same price for whatever you buy.

The unique feature of these gift certificates is that a small percentage (usually 3-5%) of every dollar spent is returned to St. Peter for our Education Fund.  We have Educational Fund Certificates available for Square Grouper and Broil in Cudjoe Key and Milagro in Key West. The certificates are on sale in the Parish Office.

Special CCD Events

• All Saints Mass
• Thanksgiving Day Mass
• Las Posadas
• Christmas Eve Mass and Reception
• Lent Penance Service
• First Communion Retreat
• Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt
• End-of-Year picnic at Bahia Honda
• Monthly Family Night Events

The Basilica School

The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea is a Catholic school for children of all faiths in pre-kindergarten age 3 through eighth grade. We are driven to provide learning opportunities which foster growth in spiritual, academic, cultural, and social development. We are committed to a total learning experience unique and tailor-made for each child.

Facilities include:
* Chapel
* auditorium
* computer lab
* science lab
* gymnasium
* 8-acre campus

For additional information see their website: basilicaschoolkeywest.com or call 305-294-1031

COMING SOON

The Advocate Ministry offers information to the faithful of the Archdiocese whose marriages have ended and feel those marriages were never true and sacramental valid unions in the eyes of God.

The Advocate Ministry assists those in the parish going through the annulment process in all matters concerning the application and practice of Canon Law in the Declaration of Nullity.

The Advocate Ministry aims to correct common misconceptions about annulments and the annulment process.

The Advocate Ministry offers comfort of the Lord’s healing and reconciling presence – a spiritual companionship with the Petitioner to assist in the healing of human wounds and grow closer to Christ.

Advocates have been intensely trained by the Archdiocese of Miami, Metropolitan Tribunal and are familiar with Jurisprudence of Canon Law and the understanding of the mind of the judge. In addition, to training, Advocates have the staff of Metropolitan Tribunal always available to assist with most adequate and proper advice.

Parishioners seeking the assistance of the Advocate Ministry should contact Father Jets.

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
There are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”

…I Corinthians 12

Youth participation also includes volunteering at

• Parish dinners
• Hosting parish events i.e., Pumpkin Patch, Spring weekend auction
• Poinsettia and Christmas tree sales at Christmas
• Yard sale on President’s Day

The goals of youth ministry (from 7^th – 12^th grade) are to:

• Call young people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Draw young people into the life, work and mission of the faith community.
• Foster the total personal and spiritual growth of young people.¹

St. Peter Youth Ministry supports relationships with the youth and solidifies the partnership between the church and parents by utilizing the gifts of the youth and empowering them to serve.

Opportunities for spiritual and personal growth include attending and serving on teams for retreats, completing service projects, participating in the Stations of the Cross, assisting at Mass as altar servers and at regular and Children’s Masses as ushers and lectors.

Contact: Isabel Paul

 ^{1Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, United States Council of Catholic Bishops, 1997}

We at St Peter Church work to serve the Big Pine and Lower Keys Community and to help those in need. All are served regardless of religious affiliation. There are so many needy families in our area. St Peter Food Pantry continues to serve the needs of our community with bags of food, provided by funds from parishioners. We serve an average of 500 men, women and children monthly. Many local organizations have food drives to benefit the Food Pantry. Our contribution towards their food supply makes a big difference.

Our ministry responds to individual needs, whatever they may be:
Hunger
Homelessness
Illness
Loneliness

Through a process of reflection, consultation assessment, planning, action, and evaluation, our Parish Social Ministry determines each individuals needs and how we can meet them. We are an all-volunteer organization, working in cooperation with feeding South Florida. We are financially aided by the generous donations of our friends and parishioners. Donations of all kinds, including money, canned goods, and nonperishables of food always needed and welcomed.

The second Sunday of every month is designated as “Loaves and Fishes”.  A basket is set on the altar on this day for your donations. Cash may also be placed in the basket in lieu of food.

To those of you that have already donated, thank you for your continued support of canned goods. At any other time, a basket is provided in the church vestibule or you may leave your donations in the office.

For additional information, contact the parish office, 305-872-2537

Starting in June, the food pantry will be open at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesdays. These hours will be in effect until further notice.

St. Peter Food Pantry is an equal opportunity provider

On April 18, 2018, the Grief Support Group will begin meeting Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. in the Ministry Center. The meetings are held every week and open to anyone coping with a loss. There is no charge, and the group is is open to all regardless of religious affiliation.

“Grief is the path through pain and the road to recovery……    Grief Support is a non denominational group of men and women who have suffered loss of any kind.  Facilitated by Mary Quirk, a former hospice nurse and grief counselor for many years, the group meets twice a month to talk, listen and learn from each other.

If you, a member of your family or a friend is suffering from a loss, please share this information with them.

Grief is the normal response to loss.  It is most often associated with the death of a loved one. But grief also follows divorce or the ending of a relationship. Even the loss of a pet can be followed by a period of grieving. When a combination or multiple losses occur within a short period of time, grief becomes even more painful…..to cope with grief one needs time, tears and talk.

A support group is a safe, confidential place to talk about your loss and share your memories.  A support group will listen with compassion and understanding. Within the group there is no place for judgment as everyone is making the same grief journey.

Talk with a patient friend who will not judge you or your grief
Find a grief support group or a priest, minister or rabbi and talk
Talk about your feelings, fears, anger, depression and guilt

…by doing the work of Grief there will be a new strength and greater wisdom in your life. You will find that you can grow from your loss rather than be diminished by it. You will smile again with true joy while retaining the wonderful memories of your loved one. You will also find a depth of faith that you never believed possible.
To borrow from the Charles Schultz character, Charlie Brown, I wish you..

“Good Grief”

— Mary Quirk
Contact: Mary Quirk  305-744-0139

Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to cooperate with this gift. It is an attempt to present the teaching of earlier times (e.g. The Cloud of Unknowing) is an updated form and to put a certain order and regularity into it.

It is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; it simply puts other kinds of prayer into a new and fuller perspective. During the time of prayer we consent to God’s presence and action within. At other times our attention moves outward to discover God’s presence everywhere.

Our meetings begin with a prayer followed by a brief sharing session. Then, an inspirational passage for the group is read before we begin scripture reading and centering. Intercessory prayer ends our evening. We usually meet on Fridays at 4pm in the chapel, but occasionally either the time or the site changes, so anyone who wishes to join us should call to check on details.

Everyone is welcome. No experience required.  Be still and Listen.

Contact Connie Hauk for more information 305-395-0346.