Parish Ministries
All parish ministries serve the needs of the parishioners of Saint Charles in their efforts to serve God and neighbors.
Faith Formation Ministries
Adult Faith Formation – Faith formation seeks to help each adult believer become “more willing and able to be a Christian disciple in the world.” As salt of the earth and light of the world (cf Mt 5:13-16), adult disciples give witness to God’s love and caring will, so that, in the power of the Spirit, they renew the face of the earth.
Baptism Preparation Class – This class is for parents of baptismal candidates to instruct and inform them of their obligations in raising a Christian Catholic child. The class schedule can be found by contacting the Rectory. Parents must contact the Rectory to arrange an interview with one of our priests or deacon.
Adult Bible Study – Seeks to draw people into a transformative relationship with Christ that focuses on God’s plan of salvation as it unfolds throughout Scripture.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Gathers from September through May during the 10:00 AM Mass for children ages 4 through their 1st Communion year to hear the Gospel message on their level.
Lighthouse Ministries – For good Catholic reading (and CDs!) in your home and for your car – for all ages – please visit the kiosk in the vestibule of the church.
PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) – Religious education for all parish children from grades K through 8 attending public school is a regional program with the parishes in our area. The children gather with their catechists on Monday evenings, 6:30pm to 7:50pm, at the Saint Andrew the Apostle New School Campus, from September through May.
O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) – Assists those individuals who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. Baptized Catholics wishing to prepare for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or deepen their faith are invited to attend. Please contact the Rectory Office for times to meet.
Liturgical Ministries
Altar Servers (Youth and Adult) – Youth and Adults serve at Masses Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation Masses, weekday, Funerals, and Weddings.
Altar Society – Meets bi-weekly to clean (vacuum and dust) the church. Contact the Rectory for further information.
Church Environment Committee – The Saint Nicholas Group and the Lazarus Group: Seasonally decorates the church and grounds. Contact the Rectory for further information.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – Assist the priests at Mass with distribution of Holy Communion and takes Holy Communion to home-bound parishioners.
Lectors – Proclaim and announce God’s Good News to his people, through careful, prayerful preparation and training to project the meaning and feeling of the Old and New Testament readings during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. Confident, expressive proclaimers of all ages help the congregation to listen, reflect and respond to the word of God.
Ushers and Greeters – Welcome people as they come into church, assist with seating people, coordinate offertory procession and take up the collection and help anyone who may need assistance. After Mass, they organize the church by tidying up the missalettes and collecting any lost articles.
Music Ministries
Choir – Sings at the 10:00 AM Mass on the first and third Sundays of each month, meeting for practice at 9:00 AM on these Sundays. They sing at First Communion, Confirmation, on Christmas, at Holy Week Liturgies, and special services throughout the year.
Cantors – Lead the congregation in singing at Masses on Sundays.
Prayer Ministries
Cenacle of Divine Mercy – Meets on every other Friday, 1:30-3:00P.M. at St. Charles Borromeo Rectory, as a way to deepen the knowledge and faith of those who wish to grow in their awareness and devotion of the Divine Mercy.
Cenacle of the Flame of Love Cenacle – Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:00 PM, in the Church for the Flame of Love Devotions.
First Saturday Devotions –The “5 First Saturday” Devotion is one of the principal points of the Fatima Message. During her July apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I have to ask that on the first Saturday of every month Communions of Reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world. Tell them I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the first Saturday of 5 successive months, go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, say 5 decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the mysteries.”
First Saturday devotions will begin with 8:30 am Mass followed by Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Confessions, Devotions, and concludes with Benediction.
Legion of Mary – Promotes the faith through service and prayer. Full membership is centered on a weekly meeting with acts of outreach to the community, and auxiliary membership is based on daily prayers to promote the faith; meetings are held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday at 7:00PM.
Miraculous Medal Novena – After the 8:30 AM Mass on Saturday.
Perpetual Adoration Chapel (St. Anne Chapel) – Chapel may be entered through the church door located in the church parking lot. You are invited to pray before the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact the Rectory for the security code
Pilgrim Virgin Statue – Statue of Our Lady of Fatima that ‘travels’ to parishioners homes each week. For more information, or if you would like to sign- up, please call the Rectory Office.
Rosary Group – Prays the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after the 8:30 AM Masses at our Partnering Parishes of Sacred Heart, Clifton Heights, and St. Charles Borromeo, Drexel Hill.
Service Ministries
Blood Drive – Coordinates through the American Red Cross to hold annual blood drives.
Homeless Shelter – Parish volunteers prepare and supply a complete meal, from salad to dessert for the Delaware County Life Center on the 2nd Thursday of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Call Rectory for further information.
Mary, Mother of Captives – A support group for those coping with a loved one in prison meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall (Borromeo Room). Further information can be found in the church bulletin.
Narcotics Anonymous – Is a way of life which is based on the 12 Steps program. The Steps offer members an avenue for growth and change to maintain their recovery. Meet each Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
St. John’s Hospice – Monthly collection of food, clothing and casseroles to assist the Philadelphia based shelter in their mission to feed and clothe homeless men. Contact the Rectory for when these collections take place.
St. Vincent de Paul Conference – Provides confidential temporary assistance to persons or families in need without regard to race or creed in a non-judgmental manner, with food and funds provided by parish members and benefactors who bear witness to the love of Christ.
Social Ministries
Hospitality Sunday – Join other parishioners in the church hall for light refreshments on the first Sunday of the month, after the 7:30AM and the 10:00 AM Masses, September through May. Different parish organizations host each month.