In the Catholic Church, by divine institution, there are two distinct states of life: the clergy and the laity. (CIC, c. 207) Yet, there is also a fundamental equality grounded in our common Baptism amongst all the Christian faithful whether clergy or laity. (CIC, c. 208) The role of the laity is to cooperate with the clergy (See CIC, c. 129 §2) and to be leaven in the world, especially in those places and circumstance where it is inappropriate for clergy to participate. “Since, like all the faithful, lay Christians are entrusted by God with the apostolate by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, they have the right and duty, individually or grouped in associations, to work so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all men throughout the earth. This duty is the more pressing when it is only through them that men can hear the Gospel and know Christ. Their activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective without it. (CCC, 900)"
Here, at Our Lady Queen of Peace we don’t just invite, but we exhort all of our parishioners to get involved! We also invite you to meet with our pastor and propose new ministries which will benefit the life and mission of our parish for the salvation of souls, such as: an Ecumenical ministry, Young Adult ministry, Charitable Actions and Social Justice apostolates, Marriage and Family Life apostolates, etc.
Ministries at Our Lady Queen of Peace
Readers, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacred Musicians (Cantors, Musicians, and Choristers), Ushers, Altar Linens, Altar Flowers, Sacristans, Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Garden of Grace Family Consecration, Family Faith Formation, Advent and Lenten Adult Faith Formation, Garden of Grace Family Consecration, Parish Mission, and O.C.I.A. (formerly R.C.I.A.).
Apostolates at Our Lady Queen of Peace
Right to Life, Walking with Mom's in Need, Food Pantry, Giving Tree (Christmas), Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets, 40 Days for Life, Annual Mass for Life, Catholics in Recovery, and our Healthcare apostolates to the Sick and Homebound and to our Nursing Homes: Bentley and Homestead, and Newton Medical Center.
Councils:
Parish Finance Council
Parish Pastoral Council: Includes the Evangelization, Right to Life, and Events Committees.
Committees:
75th Anniversary Parish Gala Committee
Annual Parish Festival Committee
Prayer/Faith Formation Groups and Catholic Social Organizations: Craft Group, Catholic Men's Group, Seeking Sisters, Bible Study, Marian Prayer Group, Men's and Women's Cursillo, Focusing Families on Christ Groups, Parish Pilgrimages, Monthly Fatima Pilgrimage (May through October).
Catholic Chivalric Orders: Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Fraternal/Sororal Catholic Organizations: San Leucio Society of Paterson.
Annual Social Events: Parish Festival, Movie Nights, Trunk or Treat, Greening of the Church, St. Nicholas Dinner, St. Patrick/St. Joseph Dinner, Lenten Fish Frys, Easter Egg Hunt, Summertime Parish Pancake Breakfasts.
Special Annual Liturgies: Feast of San Leucio (Jan. 11), Candlemas (Feb. 2), Corpus Christi Procession, Mass for Life (Jun. 24), Patronal Solemnity of Our Lady, Queen of Peace (Jun. 25), Feast of San Rocco (Aug. 16).