How good it is to witness the warmth, dedication and deep faith which is so apparent and vibrant within our parish family. Time and time again, we are blessed with new parishioners who seek and find the nurturing love of God revealed within our faith community. A love that is expressed most clearly in our celebration of the Eucharist and a love that is made visible in the generous sharing of time, talent and treasure.
Nativity is a stewardship parish and that means we are continually being challenged to grow in our appreciation and our thankfulness. Stewardship guides us to the reality that all that we are and all that we have is a gift from God. In response to this generous love, we are impelled to share a portion of our time, talent and treasure with others. Feel free to contact the parish office for additional information about these opportunities for ministry.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Adorers commit to an hour or half hour of prayer on Friday mornings between 9:00 a.m. and noon when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the chapel.
ALTAR SERVER
This ministry allows our youth (4th grade and older) and adults (Confirmed) to participate by helping the priest and the deacon at Mass on the weekend, Holy Days, and special liturgies.\
ENVIRONMENT & PLANT CARE
The primary responsibility of these ministers is to maintain the plants in church and enhance the interior of church. Special care and attention is given to plants at the main and side altars, the sanctuary and the greenery located at the Church entrances. If you have a green thumb & a few hours a week, come and help beautify our Church.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION (EMHC)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion to the members of the assembly during Mass. Ministers are required to be living witness to Catholic teachings. This ministry is by invitation of the Pastor, but you may express your desire to serve. Diocesan and parish training are both required for this ministry and ongoing formation is necessary to maintain certification.
MINISTER OF HOSPITALITY
Along with the responsibility of gathering our gifts to God during the Eucharistic Celebration, these ministers have the pleasure and the opportunity to greet and share fellowship with our spiritual family as they enter church for Mass each week. This ministry requires fingerprinting as directed by the Diocese of Orlando.
MUSIC MINISTRY
The Nativity music ministry has many opportunities for participation: Choir (9:00 Mass), Contemporary Ensemble (5:00 and 11:30 Mass), RS5 (Funerals and 5:00 Mass), Schola (11:30 Mass), and various youth choir ensembles for all grade levels.
READER
Parish members who enjoy public speaking assist with community worship by proclaiming the Word of God during weekly Masses. This ministry is a sign of God's presence in our world. After attending a training session, Readers assist the Nativity spiritual family by studying and practicing their readings, and proclaiming the Word of God at their scheduled Mass.
RELIGIOUS ARTICLES STORE
Volunteers staff the store after Mass on Saturday and Sunday on a rotating schedule. It is a wonderful way to help people and meet parishioners.
SACRISTAN - CLEANER
The Sacristans care for the sacred vessels and vestments of our worship and are of vital support to our Liturgy. Sacristans are scheduled on a rotating basis to work in the Sacristy and clean, polish and ready the vessels for liturgy.
SACRISTAN - SETUP
The responsibility of these people is to ensure that all objects and persons necessary to celebrate Eucharist are present and in place before the start of weekend Masses. This ministry allows the presider the quiet time he needs before Mass to prepare himself mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the liturgy he will celebrate.
WASH/IRON ALTAR LINENS & ROBES
The ongoing needs of washing and ironing sacred linen, as well as the needs of special liturgical events, are part of this important ministry. This ministry is done at home on a rotating basis.
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
This ministry connects Catholic young adults (ages 18-39) with each other and the church. The program includes spiritual, social, and service opportunities.
YOUTH MINISTRY
This ministry is for Nativity’s Youth, Grades 6 through 12. It provides a Christian environment that nurtures and strengthens the moral, spiritual and faith development of our youth. Through various opportunities and activities, our youth build community in a positive, caring environment.
LAY CARMELITES
The Nativity Lay Carmelites, men and women, are a Third Order group dedicated to prayer. The Carmelites meet once a month after the 8:30 AM Mass on Saturday.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Growing in faith is a life-long process. All adults at Nativity are encouraged to make a commitment of their time by choosing from the variety of enrichment activities offered. Adult Education opportunities, such as Book Clubs, Faith Sharing groups, etc., are offered throughout the week. Bible Study classes are also offered on Monday and Thursday mornings. Please watch the Bulletin for more details.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHISTS/AIDES
The Nativity Religious Education Program addresses the need of our children from three years old through graduating seniors. Many teacher and teacher aide opportunities are available in the Religious Education program at every grade level.
SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL
Summer Vacation Bible School is an opportunity for younger children, grades Kindergarten to 8th grade, to get to know Jesus and the Catholic faith. The week-long themed summer program is a special celebration and many volunteers are needed to help with lessons, crafts, music, and snacks.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
The Bereavement Ministry consoles and guides families during the funeral process—-and beyond. With care and sensitivity, the bereavement ministry helps the family move through the stages of the grieving process. They keep in touch with the family throughout the ensuing year, expressing the care of the Nativity Community. Arrangements with professional grief counselors are available.
BLOOD BANK ASSISTANT
Nativity Church supports the Central Florida Blood Bank by facilitating blood drives after the Sunday Masses 3-4 times a year. Volunteer time is needed at each of the Sunday morning blood drives welcoming the donors and assisting the Blood Bank team.
COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
Feeding the needy at the Coalition for the Homeless in downtown Orlando is a very fulfilling ministry. This group has a commitment to procure, prepare, and serve the evening meal to about 500 homeless men and women approximately four times a year. Many hands are needed and families are encouraged to participate!
COFFEE & DONUT MINISTRY
Volunteers for the Coffee & Donut ministry have the responsibility of serving coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses. These "Coffee and Donut" gatherings encourage Christian fellowship within our church community.
FUNERAL LUNCHES
As a special service to bereaved family members, Nativity offers a simple meal after a funeral mass, or a lunch tray for the home. You may assist in serving the meal or by donating a covered dish. This service extends compassion to a grieving family of our Parish community in their time of sorrow.
FOOD PANTRY
Our parish has a food pantry that is stocked with dry and canned goods for emergency help for the needy. Nativity parishioners are asked to donate food and personal items the first and third weekends of every month. Volunteers are needed to organize the items in the pantry, and to prepare bags of food for the needy in our community.
MINISTERS TO THE SICK
Many people in our parish family are limited in their ability to participate in the ongoing life of the church due to age or illness. It is vitally important that these people know of our continuing love and care. This ministry requires training and fingerprinting as directed by the Diocese of Orlando. Nativity Parish visits five (5) Nursing Homes and South Seminole Hospital on Wednesdays and Sundays. Schedules for visitation are pre-arranged for the facilities and homebound parishioners visited by a Minister to the Sick established visitation mutually convenient for both parties.
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
This group of volunteers creates shawls and blankets for the sick, the elderly, and newly baptized babies, combining pastoral care, intercession, contemplative prayer, and healing ministry.
PRISON MINISTRY
Matthew 25:36 "I was in prison and you visited me." The objective and goal of the Jail and Prison Ministry is to minister to the spiritual needs of the person incarcerated and bring a message of faith, hope, and reconciliation to all affected by the tragedy of crime. We provide that opportunity to receive religious instruction, liturgy, and the sacraments. Lay persons share their talents that God had given to each of us.
RESPECT LIFE/SOCIAL JUSTICE
This ministry has a fourfold focus: As advocates, (1) to encourage full participation of persons with disabilities in the life of the church; (2) to assess needs of the elderly and act as a resource for older parishioners and their families; (3) to promote the sanctity of human life through education and legislative advocacy in the parish community; (4) to enable the parish community to form itself in the Social Teaching of the Church and act on this teaching through service, advocacy, and community development. Ministers respond to the needs of the parish in one or more of these areas, and are involved in diocesan and parish programs and projects.