Catechetical Ministries

Alpha Program

Alpha is a ten week course which focuses on who Jesus is and the meaning of His saving death and resurrection.

Participants meet once a week, usually in the evening.  Each meeting consists of a meal followed by a talk on a subject central to our Christian faith.  Participants then meet in small groups to discuss the talk.  The environment is friendly and non-threatening, and group member are free to ask or express whatever they wish.  Parishioners and non-parishioners, alike, are invited to:  “Come and see!  Come to the next Alpha course and invite a friend. ”

We need volunteers to help with set up, dinner preparation, discussion facilitators and administrative tasks associated with the Alpha program.  For more information,contact Maria Alexander at malexander@saintlawrence.org or 408-296-0208

Initiation Ministry

In this ministry, we prepare adults and children over the age of seven for the initiation sacraments (baptism confirmation, and first Eucharist). We need catechists.Plenty of help will be provided for those willing to give some time to teaching our faith.Sponsors and parents attend along with the kids, so you will always have support. We also need sponsors to stand up for those seeking initiation. Sponsors need to be confirmed Catholics, but need not have any special training, just a willingness to talk about and learn about our faith.Sponsors commit only to a single initiation season, NOT a continuing, multi-year commitment.Sponsors are needed from January through Easter.If you are interested please contact Steve Varnau at 408-247-9987 or steve@varnau.net .  

Marriage Preparation Ministry
The Marriage Preparation ministry takes place within the parish marriage program and planning process.  In this program, engaged couples first contact the Parish Office at 296-3000 and arrange a meeting with a priest, who explains the entire process.  As part of this process, the couples are required to take a Marriage  Preparation course. The couples are presented two options for the Marriage Preparation classes:  an Engaged Couple Encounter course or a Parish-organized Marriage Preparation course, which is the subject of this ministry. The Parish Marriage Preparation course consists of four 2-hour training and discussion sessions conducted in a relaxed and sharing environment, typically in the home of one the presenting, trained parishioner couples. Course content includes topics such as the Sacrament of Matrimony, communication, married intimacy and spirituality. This Parish course is conducted periodically consistent with the needs of the parish and is limited  to four couples. Additional courses are added as needed.  Any couple interested in this ministry should contact the Parish Office at 296-3000.

Baptism Preparation Ministry
Baptism preparation team members prepare parents and godparents for the baptism of infants and toddlers. Teams present at baptism preparation sessions and generally rotate monthly. These sessions are scheduled each month on or about the third Saturday. These sessions may also take place on an evening if this works better for the team members and parents/godparents. Training for this ministry takes about 2-3 months. 

Other Opportunities...........