St. Paul's Catholic Church

Portsmouth, Virginia

ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This website is no longer maintained.  St. Paul's information has been consolidated with the other parishes of our cluster on the new Cluster Parishes website found at www.clusterparishes.com.  If you navigated to this page from the Cluster Parishes website, our apologies -- please return there and scroll further down the main page to find items such as a consolidated cluster bulletin, calendar, and more.

Ministry Overview & News

Jump to a Ministry:  Administration, Christian Formation, Justice & Peace (includes Oasis, Meals on Wheels, Haiti, Respect Life, Migrant), Music, Worship

Administration Ministry Overview

The Administration Ministry is responsible for the smooth operation of the parish. This includes the following:

Point of Contact:  Pat Cox, 397-7066 or stpaulsptown@aol.com 

Administration Ministry News

Wanted: Ministry Leaders
Have you been called to ministry/service in the Church?  Are you leading others in one or more ministries?  Are you filling a ministerial need in your parish, but have wondered if there could possibly be more?  Could you benefit from a program that would help grow your competence and confidence as a pastoral minister?  The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Formation Program may be what you’re looking for.  Call, write, email, or visit our website:  804-622-5262 pmlf@richmonddiocese.org  www.richmonddiocese.org/pmlf  The next session begins in September.

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Christian Formation Ministry Overview

The Christian Formation Ministry plans, provides resources, schedules and implements the following programs according to the needs of the parish and of the wider community in accordance with the educational policies of the Diocese of Richmond.

  • 12 teachers plus teacher’s aides required

  • First Reconciliation - Age - 2nd grade

  • First Communion - Age - 2nd grade

  • Confirmation - Age - 10th or 11th grade

Point of Contact:   Marisa Beebe
            Coordinator Christian Formation
            Telephone: 757-966-5461
            Email address: christianformation@clusterparishes.com

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON CHRISTIAN FORMATION.

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Justice and Peace Ministry Overview

The Justice and Peace Ministry plans, schedules, provides resources and implements the social justice ministry of the parish. It helps the parish to meet the needs of the poor and oppressed, both locally and globally; to reflect on the Gospel’s social teaching and the underlying causes of social programs (in collaboration with Christian Formation and Worship); and to transform social structures through legislative advocacy, peace making, and other efforts.   This ministry encourages parishioners to build a culture of life through their family, work, and citizenship. These programs include:

  • Help prepare & serve breakfast at Oasis Soup Kitchen every 2nd & 3rd Wednesday of the month.
    Point of Contact:  Deborah Brunick, Homeless Breakfast Program Coordinator, 573-7245 or 397-6685. 

  • Prepare & serve lunch at Oasis Soup Kitchen one day a week. 

  • Collect & deliver food items to restock Oasis Pantry on the 2nd weekend of the month. 

  • Soup Bowl Collection raises money for food to feed the homeless. 

  • Collect & deliver gently used and new books for needy and underpriviledged school children to call their own.

Point of Contact:  Vernell Patillo, 487-2829, patillo@cox.net

Justice & Peace Ministry News

Justice and Peace/Social Ministry
Service: A Mission of Charity and Justice
To many, the ideal of “service” is captured in
the corporal works of mercy: to feed the
hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe
the naked, to visit the imprisoned, to shelter the homeless, to visit
the sick and to bury the dead. In addition to works of charity,
Catholic Social Teaching challenges us to also work for justice.
This ministry involves both charity and justice. One way to
understand this relationship is through the “two feet” model. If
we neglect one, we will limp along on one foot. Charity focuses
on situations and needs of individuals, families, and all creation.
Justice focuses on rights and impels us to analyze social
structures involving individuals, families, and all creation. The
compassion of God is not limited to humanity. Together,
Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching provide a vision that can
guide our efforts to do justice and build peace in our divided and
troubled world as well as transform our individual lives and
reshape our communities. Questions, comments, or additional
information may be forwarded to Vernell Patillo by email at
patillo@cox.net or by calling 487-2829.

Justice and Peace/Social Ministry Ten Tips
For a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas (Adapted from “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway”,
Alternatives; Celebrating Christmas As if the EARTH
were really the place where the
WORD BECAME FLESH)*
1. Plan ahead. Have a family meeting to decide how the group
really wants to celebrate Christmas.
2. Avoid debt. Refuse to be pressured by advertising to
overspend.
3. Avoid stress. Don’t assume that things have to be the same
as they have been.
4. Draw names in your giving circle, rather than everyone
giving a gift to everyone else. Set a price ceiling.
5. Give children one gift they really want rather than so many
gifts. If need be, pool funds.
6. Give appropriate gifts – something that the person really
needs, rather than what you want to buy.
7. Give alternative gifts. Give a percentage of what you spent
last year to a homeless shelter or an organization working for a
just society. Give crafts make in third world countries, when you
know the artist is receiving the proceeds.
8. Give of yourself – something you made or created, a coupon
book for future services.
9. Put the gifts under the tree shortly before opening them,
then take turns opening gifts, so that each gift can be admired and
each giver thanked.
Make changes slowly but persistently. Don’t try to change
everything and everybody all at once. *Brochures with additional
information are available on the ministry table. Questions,
comments, or additional information may be forwarded to
Vernell Patillo by email at patillo@cox.net or by calling 487-
2829.

Justice and Peace/Social Ministry
Recycle ReUse Preserve Repair Refill Reduce
• Preserve clean air, water, and soil – eliminate use of hazardous chemicals and cleaners
• Reduce waste – take only what you will use; turn off water, lights, or TV
• Reuse – items, containers, dishes, switch to renewables
• Improve energy efficiency – use renewable energy, change a lightbulb, lower your electric bill, turn off and unplug electronic devices
• Buy Fair Trade certified and organic products and support GREEN minded businesses
• BECOME AN ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILY – RAISE ECO KIDS
• Mark your next special occasion by planting a tree (or any plant)
Feed your mind, body, and spirit – PLAY MORE, GO OUTSIDE, LOOK FOR SIGNS OF THE SEASONS, TAKE A
FEW DEEP BREATHS AND APPRECIATE THE GIFTS OF GOD’S CREATION Questions, comments, or additional information may be forwarded to Vernell Patillo by email at patillo@cox.net or by
calling 487-2829.

3 Oct 2010:  All that we do in this ministry is part of our faith journey in following the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. As people of faith, we act in service of charity and justice. Our Bishops urge that we become “communities of solidarity” and “bridge-builders” spanning race, religion, ethnicity, gender, economic status, and nationality - reaching around the world. St. Paul’s Justice and Peace /Social Ministry leaders are:
• Christmas Giving Tree – Cathleen and Phillip Whalen
• Fair Trade – Vernell Patillo
• Haiti Ministry – Ruth Meine and Delores Oliver
• Homeless & Oasis Breakfast Program – Deborah Brunick
• Liasons – Joseph and Cecilia Brown, Ada Howard, Pat Cox
• Meals on Wheels – Peggy Crabtree
• Migrant Ministry – Michael and Marie Reynolds
• Oasis – Caroline McGrath, Board Member
• Operation Rice Bowl – Marisa Beebe
• Pastoral Care/Nursing Home/Homebound – James Kerr
• Respect Life – Craig Eller
• Soup Kitchen & Oasis Breakfast Program – Betty Callahan
• Thanksgiving Baskets – Peggy Crabtree
• Tidewater Sowers of Justice – Sister Grace

Look for future plans by these ministries and other Justice and Peace projects in bulletin announcements. Questions, comments, or additional information may be forwarded to Vernell Patillo by email at patillo@cox.net or by calling 487-2829.

26 Sep 2010:  This ministry serves as an umbrella for many of the services provided to the community.  Many believe that charity and justice are fundamentally different. Our Catholic tradition, however, has always linked them closely together. Our church needs both charity and justice if we are to advance toward a more
just world.

Prayer for Charity and Justice
Almighty and eternal God, may your grace
enkindle in all persons a love of the many
unfortunate people whom poverty and misery
reduce to a condition of life unworthy of human beings.
Arouse in the hearts of those who call you God
a hunger and thirst for social justice
and for fraternal charity in deeds and in truth.
Grant, O Lord, peace in our days, peace to souls,
peace to our community and peace among nations. Amen. (Pope Pius XII)

19 Sep 2010:  Justice and Peace/Social Ministry
The A.R.T. of Justice and Peace
In the light of Catholic Social Teaching we:
• ACT to meet urgent needs
• REFLECT on underlying causes of these needs and on the
Church’s social teaching
• TRANSFORM social structures to address underlying
injustices and root causes Celebrating Cultural Diversity – Commemorative Observances
are used by various groups and organizations to celebrate and
raise awareness of an issue, a group, or an event. National
Hispanic Heritage Month is a period to recognize the
contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and to
celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture. The observation started
in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon
Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988
to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on
October 15. September 15 was chosen as the starting point
because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin
American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, and Nicaragua. They all declared independence days
on September 16 and September 18, respectively. October 12,
Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza also falls within this 30-day
period. In the weeks and months to come, items will used to highlight
certain aspects of this ministry. Questions, comments, or
additional information may be forwarded to Vernell Patillo by
email at patillo@cox.net or by calling 4872829.

Oasis Social Ministry

  You may pick up a list of suggested foods at each exit of the church.  

 

 

Thank you for your generous support! The Pasta Sauce, peanut butter, mac and cheese, canned tuna are back on the pantry shelves.  These items and cereal are the hardest to keep thru the spring and summer months. We hope you take the opportunity to visit the operation and see the wonderful work the parishes around here make in this effort both in monetary support, pantry item support, and volunteers in all three of the missions of OASIS (Feeding of the homeless, Pantry support for families in need of emergeny food, and the thrift store for clothing and other home needs). Again, thank you for your generosity! ~ OASIS Social Ministry (4-17-11)

The Oasis Social Ministry Thrift Store is in immediate need of the following donations:  Men’s Clothing and men and women’s socks and underwear. Kindly bring donations to the Oasis Thrift Store at 1020 High St, Monday through Friday, 8am to 3:30 p.m.  -- current as of 9-12-10

We are grateful for your contributions on “OASIS Social Ministry” weekend, the second weekend of each month. You may have not realized that there are two separate funds for OASIS Social Ministry Weekend: OASIS Social Ministry assists the needy and elderly with payments for housing and utilities. The Soup Kitchen Ministry money that is donated goes toward the purchase of food items needed by OASIS to prepare healthy meals in their kitchen for those that would not otherwise have a meal to eat. There is a money stand in the back of the church with Sister Zoe’s picture that is designated for the ‘Soup Kitchen”. When giving to OASIS, please designate either “OASIS Social Ministry” or “Soup Kitchen.” Both of these funds are very important in order to help those in need in our community to survive. -- current as of 9-12-10

HELP NEEDED! A volunteer is needed to "step up" and transport the monthly donations to Oasis. The donations are collected on the second Sunday of the month. Pick up time can be after 10:30 Mass, or Tuesday thru Friday, of that week. If several of you would like to volunteer and rotate months, that would be great also! Will you be a good steward and share your time? Please contact Pat Cox at 397-7066
or Donna Williams at wdonna695@msn.com. -- current as of 8-22-10

Oasis Social Ministry is in need of volunteers for our thrift store to help sort clothing and household items. The hours we need volunteers are 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. If you have any questions please feel free to call us and ask for Terry Tagg@ (757) 397-6060. Or e-mail me @
ttagg@verizon.net. -- current as of 8-15-10

OASIS would appreciate donations of any of the following “Back to School” supplies: Pencils, erasers, rulers, colored pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, spiral notebooks, wide-ruled paper, composition books, dictionaries, Kleenex (individual packets), and hand sanitizer cleaner. Last year thanks to your generosity, our “Back to School” program donations totaled over 600 children receiving school supplies. Please help us again this year! Donations accepted M-F 8am—4pm at OASIS. -- current as of 8-15-10

OASIS Social Ministry is in need of volunteers for our Food Pantry and warehouse. The hours we need volunteers are 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some of the duties include stocking,
packing groceries and distributing to families in need as well as inventory of incoming food donations. If you have any questions please feel free to call us and ask for Regina Maldonado, Alice Cherry or Joanne Roisen at (757) 397-6060. -- posted 5-30-10

OASIS Social Ministries: Each month the second weekend is designated OASIS SOCIAL MINISTRIES weekend wherein we collect non-perishable foods and also take up a second collection.  In these days where times are difficult, please remember the homeless, the needy and the elderly who need our help. Thank you for your continued generosity. -- posted 10-11-09

Did you know that OASIS provides all of the following programs: Soup Kitchen, Food Assistance, Senior Program, Edmarc Food Assistance, Bag Lunches and more?  All of the monies and food that we collect here at St. Paul’s goes to the various programs above. We collected $865.02 last weekend. Thank you! Please consider giving each second weekend of the month to our second collection for OASIS Social
Ministry. These programs help the needy, the homeless, and the elderly right here in our own Portsmouth Community. Last weekend we only collected 32 non-perishable food items. -- posted 8-16-09

Volunteers “Are” OASIS: Oasis needs and welcomes volunteers. Hours are flexible to suit the individual. Help in the pantry, thrift shop, food pick-up and Soup Kitchen.   Donations of food, clothing and funds are always welcome.  Come visit and see how you can help or give them a call at 397-6060.

Meals on Wheels Ministry

The Portsmouth Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers to deliver meals to shut-ins. There has been a significant increase of eligible people for the program. It takes about one and one-half midday hours to complete the task. Call Peggy Crabtree, 397-1358 for more information on how to lend a hand. (current as of 6 June 2010)

Haiti Ministry

Fr. Pol and the children of St. Peter, our twin Parish in Roy-Sec Haiti, are sending their thanks for your support and best wishes for a Blessed Christmas. Please keep our Twin Parish in your prayers since the Cholera has now spread to their area. As Advent arrived again and the giving spirit is in our hearts for
those we love, we ask that you consider again a gift of $100.00 per student for a year. We are already three months into the new school year and have many students who have not been sponsored. At each Parish we have pictures of those children needing a sponsor. You may select a quarterly payment of $25.00, which is about $8.35 a month! 100% of all donations benefit the school.
Please remember our "Change for Haiti" jar every fourth weekend. Join us on each second Tuesday at 6:00PM for our Haiti Meeting at Holy Angels. Happy moments, praise God.  Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God.  Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

If you have any questions contact Huguette 558-1676, Mark 484-6827, Vernell 487-2829, Ada 620-3915 or Helmi 48 5-1933.

Respect Life Ministry

Learn how you can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves here in Hampton Roads by contacting Pete DiNardo at 390-5742 or by visiting: www.40daysforlife.com/virginiabeach. 

Respect Life thought for the week:
The Catholic Church “appreciates and encourages the progress of the biomedical sciences which open up
unprecedented therapeutic prospects” (Pope Benedict XVI). At the same time, it affirms that true service to humanity begins with respect for each and every human life. Because life is our first and most basic gift from an infinitely loving God, it deserves our utmost respect and protection. Direct attacks on innocent human life are always gravely wrong. Yet some claim that we may directly kill innocent embryonic human beings as if they were mere objects of research. The false assumption that a good end can justify direct killing has been the source of much evil in our world. This utilitarian ethic has
especially disastrous consequences when used to justify lethal experiments on fellow human beings in the name of progress. No commitment to a hoped-for “greater good” can erase or diminish the wrong of directly taking innocent human lives here and now. (9-19-10)

Respect for Life and Stem Cell Research:  Our Church’s teaching on life is very clear:  “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception” (Catechism, 2270) but this does not imply that the Church is against stem cell research.  Promising medical advances are taking place using various types of adult skin stem cells, umbilical cord blood stem cells, and many others.  The Church encourages this research. However, there is one particular type of stem cell research the Church opposes, embryonic stem cell research, which destroys human life. This critical distinction between embryonic stem cells and all other forms of harmless stem cell research is usually not clearly explained when secular media reports on this issue. Furthermore, while amazing medical advances from stem cell research is already helping people, the research using destroyed embryos has achieved no medical benefits - not one.  We faithful are fortunate to have the guidance of our Church teachings, which reflects true wisdom and moral clarity. More information is available on this topic at the National Catholic Bioethics Center web site: http://www.ncbcenter.org/

Many uninsured children and pregnant women in Hampton Roads are eligible for free or low cost health insurance, but remain uninsured. Application and eligibility information is available at www.famis.org or by calling 1-866-87famis. Please circulate this information to those who are in need of health care or those who may know someone in need. --posted 3-22-09

Please contact Craig Eller 484-8617, if you are interested in joining St. Paul’s Respect Life Ministry.

Migrant Ministry

Migrant Ministry Thank You

On July 1st, we arrived at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Onley, VA.  We were met by Jim Albright, the Head of the Migrant Ministry for the Diocese, the charming Father Kelly, former pastor of St Peter’s who was visiting and Kathy Bredimus, an outstanding volunteer who sends us information and pictures of how the Migrant Ministry is going. They were overwhelmed with how our parishes are committed to this ministry. We delivered a truck and trailer load full of the donations we collected and over $1400 in Food Lion Cards. After we unloaded, Father Kelly kept us spell bound with stories of working in the Migrant Ministry and his years of service on the Eastern Shore along with his current two parishes he presides over in the mountains of Virginia. Father Kelly offered a blessing for the work the St. Paul’s, Holy Angels, St. Mary’s and Resurrection parishioners do for these migrant workers on the shore. The migrant ministry would like to thank the following people for their work with this ministry; Tracy Dussia of
Resurrection; Martha Thompson of St Paul’s; Evelyn Screeney and Ada Howard of Holy Angels; and Jack
Lofton and The St Anne’s Society of St. Mary’s. A special Thank you to Jack and Lydia Lofton for assisting with the sorting and delivery of our donations. Lastly and most sincerely, thank you to the parishioners of our four cluster churches for their wonderful generosity to our Brothers and Sisters in faith. Sincerely, Michael and Marie Reynolds (Saint Mary’s, Chesapeake)

For more information regarding donations, volunteer work or attending 8 PM mass on Tuesday or Thursday evenings at the work camps, please contact Jim Albright, P O Box 584, Accomac, VA 23301 or (757) 787-7862.

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Music Ministry Overview

The Music Ministry of the parish is an active and varied program. The director plans, provides resources, schedules and supports opportunities for parishioners to serve our parish as follows:

  • Cantors.  Adults willing to lead community in song during parish liturgies.

  • Instrumentalists.  Adults willing to share their musical talents during the parish liturgies.

  • Adult Choir.  Rehearsals held weekly in parish music room on Thursdays at 7:00 PM with a brief respite in the summer.

  • Special Events.  Mini concerts; Todi Fest.

  • Children’s Choir.  Point of Contact:   Nick Nespoli, 484-1315; Melissa Beebe, 405-3579 (H) or 777-7408 (C), mtog@cox.net.

Point of Contact:  Nick Nespoli, Home 484-1315, Work 484-9550

Music Ministry News

Please be aware that some changes have been implemented as our music ministry strives for excellence in its leadership of the parish community in song, Notably, at the end of Mass the Cantor will no longer announce the Recessional Hymn. The hymn numbers will continue to be posted on the boards throughout the church. -- posted 8-30-09

Children’s Choir is now meeting after the 10:30 Mass in the choir room. All children and youth are welcome. The children’s choir sings once each month at the Children’s Liturgies and at the Children’s Mass for Christmas. This is a great opportunity for young people to learn some music basics and have fun serving the Church and the community. Please make sure children are old enough to read. Any questions can be directed to Nick Nespoli at 484-1315.

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Worship Ministry Overview

The Worship Ministry serves the parish family through the ministry of the liturgy. The ministry is responsible for selecting, preparing/training, and scheduling Stewards for the following:

  • Ushers/Hospitality.

  • Welcome parishioners and guests.  Distribute worship aids and help find seating.

  • Collect the offertory gifts and facilitate the movement of Gift Bearers in the presentation of the gifts.

  • Place hymnals in pew racks after 10:30 AM mass.

  • Ensure church doors are locked after 4:30 PM and 10:30 AM masses.

  • Lectors.  Proclaim the Word of the Lord by reading scripture during the parish liturgies.

  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  Share the Eucharistic Bread and Wine and assist pastor in distributing the Holy Eucharist to the sick of the parish and those unable to attend church.

  • Altar Servers.  Assist priest during the celebration of Mass.  Girls & Boys must receive their 1st Communion before becoming an altar server.

  • Altar Society.  Maintain linens (altar cloths, purificators, corporals used at liturgies), wash altar marble/polish brass, wash & polish priest’s chalice & paten.

  • Offertory Money Counters.  Count and prepare offertory for bank deposit.

  • Ecumenical Outreach.  Lenten Services and Community Churches

Point of Contact:  Marisa Beebe, 966-5461, christianformation@clusterparishes.com

Worship Ministry News

Liturgical Ministry Opportunities—We have a special need for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors at all of our masses. Please consider these ministries of service. If you are interested in becoming either an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or a Lector, please contact Marisa Beebe at 966-5461 or by email at christianformation@clusterparishes.com.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion—Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are men and women of the parish who assist the priest in distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. In addition, some Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion take communion to the sick or others unable to attend Mass.

Lectors—The function of the Lector is to effectively proclaim the Word of God during liturgical celebrations. A lector strives to present the Word of God with clarity and distinction so that it is not just merely "read", but fully understood by the listening Parish Community.

Many of us readily recall “the sound of silence” that prevailed within Catholic churches as members of the congregation watched and listened during services, especially Masses. In silence, we were “spectators” in our Father’s house.  Recently that has changed. Now we are “at home” in our Father’s house—where we participate in celebrations as Readers, Cantors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Gift Bearers, Ushers and greeters.  If perchance, we are invited to come closer to the table in any role—as Gift Bearers in this case, let us respond favorably and answer “yes,” grateful for the opportunity to participate.