Niki Smith, Reader ministry

I didn’t want to be that shy, quiet girl any longer. So when my family moved to St. Petersburg I took a public speaking course at Northeast High School. I was a junior.

Little did I realize that 30 years later I would hear the call to read God’s word at Sunday Mass.

I prepare for each reading by studying the passage – both silently and aloud – and by reading all the commentaries that explain the meaning of the passages. It helps to speak slowly and put emphasis on certain key words. Some emotion is good, but I am proclaiming God’s word, not acting.

I always pray before stepping up on the altar. I feel that God is using me as the vessel, pouring His word through me. My voice but His word. It is so worth it if just one person hears His word and acts upon it.

In my early days of reading, just making it back to your seat alive was an accomplishment – sweaty palms, heart pounding , weak knees. I had fears of unpronounceable names and places, lost pages, last minute Mass changes.

Once, years ago, I stood before the congregation ready to begin the reading but it was the wrong one. I flipped the book forward, then backward. Could not find the right one. What to do? Looked over at Father Smith. Thankfully he stood up and came over to try his luck. After what seemed at eternity, he found the passage! I smiled, thanked him, and began the reading. What else can you do?

Another time I was asked to read five minutes before Mass began. No time to prepare! A quick prayer and I made it through another reading.

This ministry is special to me: beauty of the written word, poetry, power of God’s word, hearing God’s word, call to action, proclaiming His word for all to hear.         
   
And it all started with a desire to step out of my comfort zone.

I get to read God’s word at Sunday Mass before friends, family, and believers at St. Raphael’s Church.  I proclaim His word for all to hear. I feel his powerful message.
   
 On Sunday, I pray my prayer, stand and fold my hands, bow, and step up on the altar.

Niki Smith has been a reader at St. Raphael Parish for 10 years.

If you’re interested: Please stop by the church office if you would like to join the Reader ministry.

Photo by Jane Winstead

Bernadette Bailey, Bereavement ministry

Ours is a "Prayer and Presence" Ministry, small in number – four core volunteers, and several who because of age, infirmity or employment are not active participants, but pray at home for those who have died and those who mourn them.

When a loved one dies we call the family to offer condolences, attend the visitation service, assist the family in choosing Mass readings, offer to read at the funeral if family or friends will not be doing this, and, if requested, assist in serving lunch.

Many families cannot cope with all the funeral details and our primary goal is to give them comfort and consolation in their time of numbing grief. Throughout the first year especially, we keep in touch by phone and visits, send Care Notes, and assist at the annual Mass of Remembrance each November.

This is a holy and spiritually-fulfilling ministry. To those who might consider joining us, I would say, "Come and see." We will never know how many hearts and lives we touch; perhaps lukewarm Christians or lapsed Catholics may be led to return home because of the beautiful and comforting Catholic funeral liturgy, a reassuring homily, and the compassionate kindness of our clergy and members.

Before moving here in 1995, I was a member of the Hope and Remembrance Committee at St. Leo the Great parish in Fairfax, Virginia. Monsignor Caverly gave his approval to re-establish a Bereavement ministry here in 1996. Working in this ministry puts me in touch with my own mortality and made easier my own transition from wife to widow.

If you're interested: Want to participate? Call 727-821-7989 or visit the parish office.

Photo by Jane Winstead

Don Mattick, Cursillo ministry

The purpose of Cursillo (kur-SEE-yo) is to evangelize the world – one person at a time.

I was introduced to the Cursillo community through fellow parishioners. They invited me to go to a gathering of others from all over the Diocese. They encouraged me to make the three-day weekend. The experience was awe inspiring.

After making the weekend I was privileged to work the following weekend. This was the reason to decide to make this my main ministry. To witness the changes that the candidates go through made me realize how powerful the Cursillo Movement can be in changing the world around us.

I made my weekend in July 1988. Since then I have served on 11 teams for Cursillo; every one of them has been a wonderful experience and a help in my journey to Christ.

I’m always reminded of our main objective in Cursillo: “Make a friend, be a friend, and bring that friend to Christ.”

During the weekend, after some of the presentations, posters and sharing continue, open discussions ensue and many humorous ideas come out.

Like many other people, I was reluctant to discuss my religion with others. You know: don’t discuss religion or politics. Now, through the experience of Cursillo, I will discuss and defend my Catholic beliefs with anyone, any time. The biggest change was in me. I found that Christ was indeed in my life and that I could turn to him with any need or problem I may have.

If you're interested: If you'd like to make a Cursillo Weekend, the only requirements are that you are a practicing Catholic and are able to receive the sacraments. Call Donald Mattick (727) 526-1258 or e-mail him at dadmagic13@hotmail.com. Cursillo fliers are available in the narthex.

Photo by Jane Winstead

Louise Barrett, Hospitality ministry

Photo by Jane Winstead

Greeters Ursula Abner and Robin Ahlquist (and daughter Raquel) welcome parishioners to Palm Sunday 2009.


I love our Church. It’s not just the beautiful worship space and the waterfront grounds. God’s Church is visible at St Raphael’s.

I love being nourished by the Sacraments that connect us directly with God, our traditions that make every day richer, and the body of Christ who are you, my brothers and sisters.

I am involved in many ministries because St Raphael’s is truly a second home for me and my husband, Allen. Just like at our own home, where we raised four active, wonderful kids, I try to do whatever may be needed when I walk onto Church grounds. (No job is too small, though some are very big.)

I will share with you the joys of being in the Ministry of Hospitality, being a Greeter.

The purpose of a greeter is to welcome all to our Parish, especially the visitors and new parishioners.

“Welcome the stranger” is a key Christian activity, and through us, God wants all new people to feel welcome when they arrive at St. Raphael’s.

One Sunday, I was really pressed for time and didn’t arrive early at my greeting post.

On the way into Mass, I told God how sorry I was that I wouldn’t be doing much to help him at St Raphael’s as a greeter that day. Never fear, God will use our services in HIS way.

Walking in, I met new people who had recently lost a loved one, and were there for a Mass being offered for that person. Welcome!

I “randomly” sat near someone at Mass who needed extra prayers. Welcome!

On the way out, I met a man taking Holy Communion to his sick wife and we shared God’s grace. Welcome!

Being a greeter is easy, fun, and very important.

Our ministry needs many more volunteers helping God “Welcome the stranger” to our parish. Please consider letting God put you to work.

If you're interested: Please e-mail Louise Barrett at louisebarrett55@gmail.com or stop by the church office if you would like to join the Hospitality ministry.

Theresa McCormick, Webmaster ministry

We think that those that are active in the ministry are somehow different than us – that we could never commit like that … we having nothing special to offer. Wrong.

I was a volunteer in the public schools and realized how computer illiterate I was so I bought and read “Windows for Dummies” and so I began my journey.

Little did I know that God was preparing me for his work.

Soon afterward, the computer teacher from St. Raphael’s School was offering a class for parishioners to learn computers . I decided to just “stop in” and see if I could help. My offer was accepted which started a life-long love of working with the staff and parishioners at St. Raphael.

Soon I was asked to create the St. Raphael School and Church website. The sites eventually separated but I have, to date, have designed and maintained our www.st-raphaels.com church website.

In the past few years, I have created/maintained neighboring parish websites of: St. Mary Our Lady of Grace, Most Holy Name of Jesus, Transfiguration and Sacred Heart Church. Why? Because I am self taught, I believe with all my heart that God gave me this gift.

We each have a special gift from God. He wants us to use his gift. If I gave you a $100 bill as a gift, would you throw it away?

Every week I have updated the sites (some are now maintained by staff) – even during vacations.

Sometimes I update the parish site from my car sitting in a hotel parking lot, “borrowing” their Wi-Fi for a two-minute update.

Growth in my computer proficiency has spilled over into “layout designing” the CCW newsletter since 2004. God continues to cultivate my skills (and it wasn’t easy!)

We now travel throughout the USA for my husband and my business but I maintain my commitment to our parish (& other parishes) websites. Who knows where God will take me!

I also live what I want my children to do – to give to others in their time and treasure. It could be through the church, hospitals, schools, community – there is so much if we could all just do a little -- can you imagine what we could do?

Theresa McCormick has been a parishioner of St. Raphael's Church since 1991.