Parish Ministries
We invite you to become involved in one or more of our many ministries listed on this website. Your participation will help you to discover many friends at Blessed John XXIII Church. It will help you live out the promise you made to Christ in Baptism and Confirmation.
Your participation will continue to make Blessed John XXIII Church an active community of faith. Contact us if you have additional questions or comments for a particular ministry
Liturgy and worship
Extraordinary Ministers | Lectors | Servers | Music | Art & Environment
In the Body of Christ, there are a wonderful variety of ministries, which are especially evident when we gather as a community to worship God. Among these ministries is the Eucharistic Minister, who brings the Body of Christ to the faithful.
By virtue of our Baptism in Christ, some are called to serve as ministers of the liturgical assembly. The Parish of Blessed John XXIII has been blessed with many members who have answered this call, people who are dedicated to the Church’s mission of service. These dedicated members of our Church bring the Body of Christ to God’s people who
are homebound, hospitalized or in nursing homes.
Sacred Heart Ministers click here for your schedule
Saint Lucy Ministers click here for your schedule
In the Body of Christ, there are a wonderful variety of ministries, which are especially evident when we gather as a community to worship God. Among these ministries is the Lector, who proclaims the Word of God to the church assembly.
By virtue of our Baptism in Christ, some are called to serve as ministers of the liturgical assembly. The Parish of Blessed John XXIII has been blessed with many members who have answered this call, people who are dedicated to the Church’s mission of service. These dedicated members of our Church proclaim the Word of God at the Sunday Celebrations, Paraliturgies, and o Special ocassions.
Sacred Heart Ministers click here for your schedule
Saint Lucy Ministers click here for your schedule
Today's Readings
This Ministry is a most appropriate way for young people to serve their parish community and strengthen their commitment to their faith. Altar Servers assist the clergy in their role of leading liturgical gatherings.
Boys and girls may participate as altar servers if they are:
• Parishioners of Blessed John XXIII
• Between the ages of 9 and 18 years of age
• Attend one of the local Catholic Schools or the parish Religious Education Program
• Able to complete the required training as scheduled
• Able to participate in Mass and other liturgies as scheduled, including Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation, Weddings and Funerals.
Please contact the rectory for further details.
The Parish of Blessed John XXIII Music Ministry is open to all parishioners who are called to serve God’s people with their musical talents and gifts.
We believe deeply that each member of our parish community is called by God to join in full, active and conscious participation in worship as we join in thanksgiving and praise through psalms, hymns and sung prayers- Each and every member of our parish community is truly a Music Minister.
The Arts and Environment Committee creates an atmosphere that enhances the worshipping assembly’s celebration of their faith through the visual beauty of the Church environment.
This environment also heightens an awareness of the festive, solemn, or penitential nature of the various liturgical seasons.
The Committee members meet seasonally to plan the environment, set decorating times, and gather resources.
Maintenance is also an important part of this committee’s work. Flowers and plants need to be watered, rearranged, or replaced frequently.
The Arts and Environment Committee is always looking for new members to share their ideas, talents and time in making “something beautiful for God.”
community life
Knights of Columbus | Columbian Squires | Daughter of Mary | Adult Faith | RCIA
Knights of Columbus Fr. Koeppen Council #7774
The Knights are an international society of nearly 1.6 million Catholic men and their families dedicated to the ideals of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
Parish of Blessed John XXIII Knights of Columbus
Meetings are on the first and third Thursday of each month
at 8 pm
as follows:
The first Thursday of the month, our business meeting:
are held at St. Lucy's at 8 pm
The second Thursday of the month, regular meeting:
are held at 7:30PM in Saint Lucy’s Church basement.
The third Thursday of the month, our social meeting:
are held at St. John Neumann's at 8 pm.
Visit the
International Knights of Columbus Homepage
Parish of Blessed John XXIII Knights of Columbus
The Columbian Squires, American Eagle Circle #4615, are a Catholic Christian Youth Organization associated with and run by the Winslow Township Knights of Columbus Council #7774.
Our focus is training our youth of today to be the leaders of our church and community tomorrow. We do this through service to the church and community and raising funds to give to the less fortunate. We also do fun activities such as ski trips, amusement park trips and teen dances.
Squires meet on the second Wednesday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.
Summer schedule (July - August) meetings only on fourth Tuesday.
Coming Soon: Updating Calendar of Events
Visit The Squires and the Knights of Columbus on the web.
are a spiritual group of women who gather to pray for the special needs of our parish community and to help support it financially. We held our first meeting on November 20, 2003 and since that time our activities have included:
Alter Server Recognition, Annual Longaberger Bingo, Annual Tea Party, and Bake Sales.
Support Parish activities and ministries by providing refreshments and donations as needed.
All ladies are most welcome to join any of the meetings on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00PM in Saint Lucy’s basement.
The Parish Adult Faith Discussion Group
of Blessed John XXIII Parish came about as a result of the Diocesan-wide Parish Stewardship Program. Our group began in Phase I of the Parish Stewardship Program in 2002.
We meet at our home at 7:30PM on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from October to June to share and discuss topics that have a significance to us as Catholics.The group is open to all members of the parish, but we usually average about three to eight people in attendance. The Pastor and Associate of our parish are always invited to join us.
In the past, we have used videos from the Diocesan Media Center as a catalyst for discussion, but we also have had a spontaneous sessions on current issues that impact our living a Catholic faith in present-day American society.
The Rite of Christian initiation of Adults, known most often as the R.C.I.A. is the restoration of the ancient practice of initiating adults (18 years of age and older) into the Catholic Christian community. Christian Initiation is concerned with the fundamental values of the Christian way of life, thus the R.C.I.A., is actually a sacramental process, not a program.
It is a journey of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual conversion. Along the way, R.C.I.A. team mentors and presenters, nurture this conversion process of those individuals seeking membership into the Catholic Church through their support and encouragement.
The R.C.I.A. is actually one rite divided into four periods. Click here to read more
Period of Inquiry
Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
and the Period of the Catechumenate
Rite of Election and the Period of Purification and Enlightenment
Initiation and Mystagogia
Baptized individuals, whether Catholic or another religion, seeking full reception into the Catholic Church. also journey through the Catechumenal process, although distinctions are made in the celebrations of the rites.
Contact the rectory at (609) 561-6116 for more information to begin your journey of faith.
parish outreach
St. Vincent dePaul | Health Ministry | Evangelization | Religious Education
Saint Vincent dePaul
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering, in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group and economic level, as a reflection of the whole family of God. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.
Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served, because in them Vincentians see the face of Christ.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday at 7:30PM in Saint Lucy’s Church basement.
Please contact the rectory for additional information @ 609.561.6116 | more
The Health Ministry is a team of parish members who volunteer to help you navigate the health care system.
We are a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionist and natural helpers. We serve our Christian family by offering these services: Visit the sick, Drive to Dr. Appointments, Eucharist for Homebound, make meals for families, hairdressing for Homebound, Workshops, assist with Parish Blood Drive, Offer Prayers and Emotional Support, Offer Prayer Line, Health Counseling, Referral to Care, Offer Educational Pamphlets, Blood Pressure Screening, Other Health Related Activities, Bereavement Counseling.
Health Ministry meets on the third Sunday of each month after the 8:00AM Mass
at the Atco Diner, 9:00-10:00AM.
The Parish's Religious Education Program, also know as CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), holds classes during the regular school year (September through May).
New Registrations and Re-Registrations
Bring the word of God to active Catholics by connecting them to the parish community; by inviting inactive Catholics to return to the Church: reaching out; by reaching out to those who have no church affiliation but are seeking God in their lives.
parish ministry - parish councils
Pastoral Council | Finance Committee
The Pastoral Council
is an envisioning and planning body. In collaboration with the pastor, the Council seeks to discern what God is calling a parish community to be and helps determine how the parish, as a community can make progress toward fulfilling its specific mission.
The Parish Pastoral Council of the Parish of Blessed John XXIII is an elective body of parishioners that assist the Pastor in identifying the needs of the parish community, setting goals and planning, implementing and evaluating procedures and programs that address those needs, and so fulfilling the mission statement of our parish family.
Membership on the Assumption Pastoral Council shall consist of 11 representatives of the laity, ten of whom are elected by the parish at large and one appointed by the pastor. They must be faithful to the Church’s teaching and mission, are active in the sacramental life of the Church, are mindful of their stewardship responsibilities, and are willing to participate in on-going faith formation and education.
Officers of the Council shall be as follows: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. Once elected or appointed, members serve a 3-year term, renewable for a second 3-year term.
An ad hoc nomination committee will be formed from among council membership each year at the June meeting. Nominations for membership on the Council will commence the second weekend of October. Any registered parishioner is eligible to submit a nomination. All nominees will be notified by a member of the election committee. At that time, the prospective nominee will indicate his/her willingness to run for office. Elections will be conducted at all liturgies on the first weekend of October.
To promote an atmosphere of trust, respect and charity, the Council shall arrive at decisions through the use of consensus rather than voting. Since the Council acts in an advisory capacity, the Pastor must use his best judgment in accepting or vetoing the Council’s decisions. However, should he veto a decision, the Pastor must provide the Council with substantiated reasoning for doing so.
Meetings are held monthly, on the Second Tuesday, from September to June(inclusive), at 7:30PM in Saint Lucy’s Basement.
The Finance Committee
oversees the parish’s finances and advises the pastor regarding our financial condition and needs, and oversees fund raising efforts.
Members are directly appointed by the pastor.