The acronym of A.C.T.S. stands for Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. The A.C.T.S. goal is to bring the community together and serve as disciples of God. Nearly all who have experienced an A.C.T.S. retreat feel truly blessed by God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The A.C.T.S. retreat has gradually become a Parish Weekend Retreat patterned after the description of the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 2:42-47); breaking bread together, worshipping together, receiving instruction together, sharing in common, and reaching out in loving service.
Ministry Contact:Augie Morales Phone: 210-630-9559 Email:augiemorales@gmail.com Ministry Meeting Days/Times: 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
~ ADULT FAITH FORMATION - OCIA ~
OCIA is a process (often called a “journey of faith”) aimed at welcoming others into our Catholic family through reflection on the experiences of their lives, the messages of Sacred Scripture, and the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church. RCIA is a program of the Catholic Church oriented towards those who are searching and inquiring about the Catholic way of life. It is also a process structured around movements of inquiry, sessions, discernment, prayer commitment and finally the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Ministry Contact: Jose Sandoval
Phone: 210-912-6288
Meeting Location: St. Joseph conference room Ministry Meeting Days/Times: Tuesdays 6:30pm - 8:00pm
~ ALTAR SERVERS ~
The altar server ministry is responsible for recruiting, training, and scheduling altar servers for Masses. Servers are instructed on all areas of the Mass to include the carrying of the cross, the processional candles, holding the book for the priest when he is not at the altar, and carrying the incense and censer. They are also trained to present the water and wine to the priest during the preparation of the gifts, wash the hands of the priest, and assist the celebrant and deacon as necessary. The altar server learns when to ring the bell during Mass and the response to the prayers along with the congregation and also is taught the proper decorum and attire when they are serving the Mass.
Ministry Contact:Margaret Cerna and José Sandoval Phone:210-380-1174 Meeting Location: Church Ministry Meeting Days/Times: TBD Training Sessions will be announced in the bulletin~ ALTAR SOCIETY~
St. Gregory’s Altar Society has been in existence since 1955 and is responsible for maintaining church linens, vestments, seasonal environments, furnishing candles, flowers, etc. Their duties also include minimal cleaning of the church, sacristy and sanctuary. When necessary, this ministry furnishes church supplies, such as candle stands, communion and service items, and also refurbishing items when needed. We have 5 auxiliaries, Flower, Publicity, Sewing, Social, and Spiritual, each having its own duties and obligations. Our board meets the first Monday of each month and we have general meetings every other month on the second Monday. Our annual fundraiser is our Arts and Crafts Sale held in November with all proceeds going to maintain the church.
A Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) goals at St. Gregory the Great Parish include instilling Christian values through sports/athletics and to offer all youth sports and recreational programs emphasizing friendly competition through good sportsmanship modeled by adult participants. Also, CYO invites all participants, Catholic or otherwise youth and adults, to share in the life of the church/faith community. It was initiated by Bishop Bernard J. Sheil of Chicago in the year 1930. The organization's main purposes are guiding the young Catholics to live a Christian life from a young age, developing trust between peers, and living a happy life in a positive manner. Activities vary in accordance with local culture but often includes prayer, singing, charity, sales, sports and visiting the sick. In the United States, CYO is mainly known for its organized sports programs, notably boxing, basketball, baseball, track and field, and volleyball, as well as marching bands. Its athletic contests are often so competitive that CYO has been jokingly described as "Crush Your Opponents."
Ministry Contact:John Flores Phone: 210-748-3072 Email address: Cyo@stgregorys.net Meeting Location: Collaboratorium Ministry Meeting Days/Times:Second Wednesday of every month. Time TBD To be redirected to the CYO registration page, click here.
~ EUCHARISTIC APOSTLES OF THE DIVINE MERCY CENACLE ~
Our mission is to profess and proclaim the truth of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist, and to promote, insofar as possible, Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the hourly offering of the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the dying and to bring to a hurting world the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion according to the revelations granted to the Church through Saint Faustina Kowalska by experiencing the splendor of our Catholic faith through the study of Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Church, and the Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska.
Ministry Contact:Mary Ann Maldonado Phone: 210-414-3143 Email: cmmam4447@grandecom.net Meeting Location:Rectory / Adoration Chapel Ministry Meeting Days/Times:Study(Rectory) - 1st and 3rd Sunday (and 5th if applicable) of each month from 11:30am-12:30pm and Spiritual Prayer (Adoration Chapel) - 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. ~ EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION~
Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist serve the community by sharing the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass, to the sick in the hospital, or to the homebound. It requires an understanding and reverence for the Eucharist. Adults and teenagers who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation may serve in this ministry. Must be a registered parishioner, have a background check, take the Archdiocese of San Antonio safe environment training, have completed your sacraments of initiation and be involved in parish life.
Ministry Contact:Fr. Richard Samour and Adela Segura Phone:210-342-5271 Email:padrerichard@stgregorys.net Meeting Location: Meetings held as required. Ministry Meeting Days/Times: N/A
~ FAITH FORMATION ~
Faith Formation provides religious instruction to Pre-K-12th grade on Sundays 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Sept. to April to teach them and spread God’s Word and love. Faith Formation is also critical for those preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation.
Ministry Contact:Gloria Silva Phone: 210-342-3826 Email:gloria.asilva@stgregorys.net Meeting Location:Youth Room Ministry Meeting Days/Times: Faith formation teacher meetings are bimonthly at 9:30am-11:30pm Youth Room ~ FISHERS OF MEN ~
We are Catholic men from St. Gregory the Great Parish, who get together to discuss our lives in the light of the Catholic faith and to share our faith and experience through friendship and prayer. We will support, affirm and share insights about the differences men encounter in both their home and work lives. We will also seek God’s help in dealing with the issues we confront every day. We strive to reinforce Christian values in our homes, reach out to share those values with others in our group and support other men who are struggling to do the same.
Our St. Gregory’s Fishers of Men Ministry, which consists of about 30 men, meet on alternate Saturday mornings in our Parish Hall for sunrise fellowship and prayer. We begin by reciting the Rosary. The readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass are read and then small groups are formed for discussion and sharing of experiences or thoughts on the verses they will hear again at Mass.
Ministry Contact:Jesse Tello, Jr. Phone: 210-332-7776 Email:jdtello@sbcglobal.net Meeting Location: St. Joseph's Room Ministry Meeting Days/Times: Every other Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
~ GARDENING MINISTRY ~
“Gardening is an important part of the rhythm of life. The early Egyptians monks recognized gardening as God’s mandate to care for the earth. Perhaps one reason God created human beings to tend the garden is because God knew that it is in its midst that we connect most intimately to the ways and character of our Creator.” Christine Sine.
St. Gregory’s has been very fortunate in having a number of parishioners throughout the years working to keep the flower beds around the Church and at the School Entrance sign so beautiful. Christina de la Garza is our “current” church gardener. Anyone interested in helping her with planting, watering, weeding, etc. to please call the Parish Office.
Ministry Contact:Christina De La Garza Phone: 210-342-5271
~ HOLY NAME SOCIETY ~
The Holy Name Society is a parish branch of the worldwide confraternity founded to proclaim publicly Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Charged by the Pope over 700 years ago to strengthen the Church against error and opposition, the Holy Name endures today as the same powerful ally sharing in the Church’s mission to spread the good news and to continue the redemptive work of Christ the Lord. Its primary objective is the personal sanctification of its most Holy Name. The spiritual life of its members is a perpetual act of reverence and love.
Ministry Contact:Jesse Tello Phone: 210-332-7776 Meeting Location: BBQ Pit Ministry Meeting Days/Times: As scheduled by Ministry contact Attend 8 a.m. Mass 2nd Sunday of each month
~ HOSPITAL AND HOMEBOUND MINISTRY~ The Hospital and Homebound Ministry of St. Gregory’s consists of visiting parishioners in their homes who are not able to attend Mass in person. Regular visits are set up at the convenience of the homebound to pray with them, offer communion and let them know what is happening by bringing them the weekly bulletins and sharing community news with them. Just being able to sit and visit to let them know that we are thinking of them and praying for them is very rewarding and brings them joy. Some of the visits here at St. Gregory’s are done by our Legion of Mary groups, but we do have other individuals assisting us in visitations to hospitals and continued contact with our parishioners after their release to homes, rehab, nursing homes or hospice.