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PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council is the coordinating and unifying structure
of the total parish community. Its function is to provide leadership,
direction, education, resources and encouragement in accordance
with the goals of the parish. It also seeks to serve the parish
community by providing ways in which the parishioners share their
skills and gifts. It consists of parishioners willing to serve the
parish through the committees of the Council. The five standing
committees are Liturgy, Christian Formation, Social Concerns, Parish
& Family Life and Building & Maintenance. All organizations
and groups of the parish are committed and organized under one of
the committees of the Council. Elections are held annually. All
active parishioners 18 years of age and over are eligible for nomination
and election to the Pastoral Council.
Any member of the parish who is interested in participating more
fully in parish life through a particular committee is encouraged
to call the parish office in the pastoral center at 328-2335 so
contact may be established with the committee chairperson.
FINANCE COUNCIL
The Finance Council is a consultative body established to advise
the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the
parish. The pastor appoints members.
Annual Catholic Appeal
The parish participates and contributes in the annual fund raising
effort to support Catholic educational, social, and health services
in the Diocese. Volunteers are needed to obtain pledge cards from
parishioners.
LITURGY COMMITTEE
The Liturgy committee coordinates the liturgical life of the parish
under the guidance of the Pastor. It is guided in its service by
the liturgical documents of the Church and approved diocesan guidelines
for liturgy. Primarily, it sees the celebration of Eucharist as
the focus of parish life and strives to enhance and benefit the
spiritual life of the parish by liturgy planning and celebration.
This committee as needed.
Leaders of Song
Cantors lead the congregation in songs and responses at liturgies.
The ability to read music is not necessary, but cantors are expected
to attend periodic workshops to review music and vocal techniques.
Instrumental Musicians
These musicians are welcome and needed to enhance the liturgies.
Ministers of the Word
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at the liturgies. Some technical
preparation in public speaking is required. This group meets as needed
Altar Servers
Boys and girls (grades 5-12), assist the priest and deacon at the
celebration of the liturgies. Altar servers are expected to attend
training sessions and periodic meetings.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned by the Pastor to help distribute Holy Communion in the form of bread and wine at Masses. They take
Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. For this ministry training
and attendance at monthly meetings is required.
Adult Choir
A member of the adult choir attends weekly choir rehearsals on Tuesday
evening from 7:00 to 8:30 PM from September to May. The choir sings
on Sundays and for special liturgies. Members are not required to
read music.
Youth Choir
Boys and girls attend weekly choir rehearsals on Wednesday from
6:00 to 6:45 PM from September to May. The choir sings on Sundays
and special liturgies.
The youth choir joins the adult choir for
special liturgies and concerts. Members need not read music.
Ministers of Hospitality
The Ministers of Hospitality help coordinate congregational activities
before, during and after Mass. They assist in welcoming, seating,
taking up the collections and in any way to provide coordinated
and organized liturgies. This group meets several times a year.
Environment Committee
This sub-committee of the liturgy committee helps maintain the solemnity
and sacredness of the church environment. They meet monthly and
perform their duties weekly. Anyone with interest and/or creative
talents is welcome to join. Help is always needed.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE
The Christian Formation Committee is concerned with the total Catholic
education in the parish. Its purpose is to formulate policy that
will guide total Catholic education programs for children, youth
and adults. Members meet monthly from September through June. Their
duties include setting goals, formulating policy, reviewing rules
and regulations and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the
religious education programs of the parish and school programs.
For more information call the pastoral center.
School
St. Peter Catholic School offers Catholic education from pre-school
to grade eight for members of the parish and the extended community.
Registration for new students takes place during Catholic Schools
Week. Pre-testing and evaluations are required for admission.
Extended Care Program
This program cares for children during the school day when classes
are not in session. It strives to provide experiences that meet
children's needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas.
It begins at 7:00 AM until the start of school and continues after
school until 6:00 PM. The Extended Care Program is available only
when school is in session.
Athletics Association
Athletic Association sports programs organize and sponsor
boys and girls for different athletic teams. Coaches instruct youngsters
in the fundamentals of each sport. There are sponsored fund-raising
activities to help defray the cost of CYM league fees, equipment,
uniforms, and field maintenance.
Home and School Association
The Home and School Association is concerned with providing parents
with mutual support and encouragement, knowledge and assistance
concerning all phases of the school programs, faculty with support
and encouragement for the task of formalized education, and faculty
and parents with support in all communications efforts. Its members
include the professional staff and every parent/guardian of the
school children. Activities are fund-raising projects, cultural
programs and social opportunities. This organization meets four
times a year.
Religious Education Program
Classes in religion further the faith development of all the children
in our parish family in grades 1 through 8, who attend either a
public school or a non-Catholic private school. All classes meet
on Sunday 9:15 - 10:45 am. New teachers and classroom
aides are always welcome.
Sacramental Preparation Programs
The Religious Education Staff directs and conducts special classes
to help parents instruct their children to receive the sacraments.
Times and dates are pre-announced in the Bulletin. Included are
classes for Baptism, First Communion, First Confession and Confirmation.
Our parish priests coordinate preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Please call the parish office between the hours of 9:00 AM &
4:30 PM, at least 1 year prior to the wedding for instruction.
R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Persons who are inquiring into the Catholic faith, those preparing
for Baptism, Confirmation and full initiation into the Roman Catholic
Church are members of this process. They join a team of clergy and
parishioners on a regular basis that assists with their formation
in the Catholic faith.
SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
This committee informs and involves people and resources in service
to one another and to the larger community. They attempt to access
and meet the needs of people both within the parish and those in
the larger community. Immediate needs of persons in distress as
well as larger issues of socio-economic problems and human rights
are part of their agenda. They meet as needed.
Respect Life Committee
This committee works to restore the right to life from the moment
of conception to natural death, to assist mothers and babies in
need and to feed the poor. They list educational, spiritual and
social ministries as part of their area of concern.
Samaritans
This organization ministers to the physical, spiritual and social
needs of the homebound. They strive to serve in a manner that reflects
Christ's teaching, "to love one another". They provide
services daily and meet monthly.
Parish Nurse Program
Parish Nursing is a new and exciting “grass roots” ministry
for our parish. Health Care Professionals in the parish will be
part of a health cabinet to offer assessment, counseling, referral,
advocacy, screening activities, and health education. Through the
combined resources and expertise of our parish’s many health
care members, we hope to better serve the health issues of our parishioners.
SURJ
This is an acronym for a non-profit organization, Stand Up for What’s
Right and Just, which is dedicated to reforming Delaware’s
criminal justice system. Goals include wise use of taxpayer resources
to shift expensive prison “warehousing” of offenders
to more constructive activities and rehabilitation. This committee
informs the parish of their upcoming conferences, legislation and
activities. Membership to SURJ is also available.
PARISH AND FAMILY LIFE COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Parish and Family Life Committee is to provide
holistic growth and development of a parish and its many families.
It is to promote Christian community and personal development and,
in a practical way, to enrich life within the parish family of faith.
The duties include the following:
Evangelization Committee
Members welcome new parishioners and provide them with information
about the parish and community, and extend an invitation to participate
in the parish ministries and organizations. In addition, committee
members visit newly married couples and families of the newly baptized.
Hospitality Committee
Members act as hosts and serve refreshments on special occasions.
BVM Sodality
The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary promotes devotion to Mary,
Mother of God. They pray for the well being of the parish and perform
other acts of charity. A business meeting, program or social event
follows the 8:00 AM Mass on the first Sunday of the month. All women
of the parish are welcome to attend.
Christmas Bazaar
The Christmas Bazaar is a long-standing social and financial event.
The committee meets as needed during the year and more frequently
as the event approaches. This is an opportunity for all parishioners
to use their skills and talents for the benefit of the parish. The
Bazaar takes place over a weekend.
Old New Castle Run
This race has become the RRCA 5 Mile DE State Championship Run and
cash awards are presented for the overall male and female state
record. In addition, there is a 2 mile walk, the “Kids’
Colonial Mile” and a huge post-race party.
MAINTENANCE COUNCIL & WORK FORCE
These committees serve the parish by assising in the maintenance and care of parish faciliteies. Parishioners, especially those with building or trade skills are encouraged to volunteer. Work Force, through special projects and fund-raising, assist in maintenance of parish facilities and maintain Msgr. Crowley Hall. Monthly meetings are held the Second Thursday at 6 PM, September
through June in Msgr. Crowley Hall.
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OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH ST. PETER THE APOSTLE
Knights of Columbus—Bishop Becker Council
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic gentleman's organization dedicated
to charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The Council supports
the parish in various liturgical spiritual and social functions.
They hold various fundraisers during the year. In addition, the
Council membership provides spiritual and material support to other
organizations, such as St. Vincent de Paul Society, Birthright and
Bayard House. Membership drives are conducted annually.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
This Society includes both parishioners and non-parishioners. They
serve the community in the New Castle area by providing food and
financial support. The major goal is to seek, in a spirit of justice
and charity, to help those who are in need or who are suffering.
Senior Social Club of New Castle
This Club brings together persons over the age of fifty (50) to
socialize, enjoy entertainment, travel and enjoy each other’s
company. Monthly meetings are held the third Monday at 7PM, September
through June in Msgr. Crowley Hall.
Girl Scouts
The scouting program is devoted to leadership training, community awareness, and service to others. Scouting is a combination of fun, adventure and learning. Girl Scouts is open to all girls from Kindergarten to high school. Anyone interested in this program should contact Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council @ (302) 456-7150 or www.cbgsc.org
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