Cathedral Ministries

There are so many ways to give of yourself to the Parish. For many, volunteering one's time and talent to a special ministry is a very rewarding and valuable experience.

We encouage you to learn about each opportunity and hope you will consider joining the ministry of your choice.

It's a great way to get involved, do good, and meet life-long friends. For more information, please contact the Church office at 912-233-4709.

Adoration Chapel
Eucharistic Adoration is available at the Cathedral for those who would like to spend time in quiet prayer with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Chapel hours are 8am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. Come and see what a blessing it is to visit with your Lord and Savior for an hour each week in our private chapel. Remember Christ’s words to the apostles at Gethsemane, “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?”

Altar Servers
Liturgical functions, especially the Mass, are the heart and soul of a parish. In order for all liturgies to be conducted in the most dignified fashion, it’s essential to have a core of dedicated servers willing to make a commitment to the altar. It is extremely important for a server to be punctual. If you would like to make a commitment to this important ministry, please contact Brother Robert or Monsignor O'Neill, or call the Cathedral office.

Cathedral Heritage Ball
The Cathedral Heritage Ball is an annual Fall event. Although the Cathedral Parish sponsors it, the planning committee is represented by individuals from parishes throughout the Savannah Deanery. Proceeds from the Cathedral Heritage Ball grow the Cathedral Endowment Fund, which was established following the "2000 Major Restoration" of the Church. It is hoped that by upholding the mission of this endowment that another major restoration will be prevented. It ensures the preservation of the Cathedral, which is a legacy that has been entrusted to us. It is our responsibility to preserve it for generations to come.

Catholic War Veterans
The objective of the Catholic War Veterans is to make the nation aware of the struggle and needs of many veterans, their widows and children. As survivors, they have an obligation to our fallen brothers and sisters to inform the people of the nation that many veterans and their families need assistance. Veterans have made sacrifices for our country and deserve to be treated with proper respect and support.

Children's Religious Education
The Children's Religious Education ministry at the Cathedral is dedicated to assisting parents in the faith formation of their children in order to make them life-long disciples of Jesus. The classes meet throughout the school year on Sunday mornings from 8:45am to 9:50am. Age-appropriate instruction is provided by catechists in a safe and caring environment. Please contact the Cathedral office for more information.

Choir
The ministry of singing God's praises Sunday after Sunday is a most rewarding form of prayer. As St. Augustine said, "Those who sing, pray twice." The Cathedral choirs, the Men's Choir at 10am and the Women's Choir at 11:30am, earnestly rehearse to musically enhance our liturgies. They sing traditional and contemporary Masses, hymns, motets and psalms. The two choirs are combined several times a year to sing for important feast days. Also singing for Pontifical services during the year are the St. Vincent’s Academy Alumnae Choir and the Savannah Deanery Choir. We are blessed to have so many dedicated choir members and we always welcome new voices.

Christian Service Committee
The Mission of the CSC is to promote awareness of social and spiritual ministries in the parish and encourage the involvement and participation of all parishioners. Activities include: Annual Food Drive, Item of the Month, Personal Hygiene Packets for Social Apostolate and Baby Packets for Savannah Care Center. We also sponsor a Newcomers Welcome Program and the Ministry Fair.

Collection Counters
In accordance with diocesan policy, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has a core of collection counters divided into four teams to count the Offertory collection on Monday mornings. Members of the parish collection counting teams are selected by the Rector. The collection counters are responsible for counting the funds. The funds shall be counted twice by two individuals. The results of the counts are recorded on a "Collection Record" form, signed by the counters. A deposit slip is prepared and given to the bookkeeper.

Council of Catholic Women
The mission of the CCW is to provide outreach services in the Church, community, nation, and the world for those in need. The council provides a sense of community and family to parishioners of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, as well as the fellowship of sisterhood for its members.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The term "Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion" is used to distinguish lay people from "Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion", who are priests or deacons. They assist the priest and deacon with the distribution of Holy Communion during Mass, may also conduct a Holy Communion Service in the absence of a priest or deacon, and can take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. They must be at least 18 years of age and have received the three Sacraments of Initiation. Given the importance of this ministry and its special relationship with the Holy Eucharist, persons may be so designated only by appointment from the diocesan bishop following recommendation by their pastor.

Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men who give unselfishly of their time and talents in service of God and country, in union with the Holy See. They perform tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. Membership is open to all practicing Catholic men who live up to the Commandments of God, the precepts of the Church and who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. Savannah Council 631, the “Mother Council of Georgia,” is located on the comer of Bull and Liberty.

Lectors
The lectors’ ministry bears the responsibility of proclaiming God’s word to the people in the service of the faith. The message of salvation is read to the congregation through both the Old Testament and the New Testament at each Mass. Lectors thus acquire a deeper understanding and love of the Scripture themselves and are privileged to share this knowledge with the faithful. Different lectors serve at all Masses on the weekend, as well as the noon Mass each weekday.

Nursery
The Cathedral Nursery is open every Sunday for the 10am Mass and occasionally for some special events. The nursery provides care for infants and children through age four so their parents and fellow parishioners may experience Mass more peacefully and without distraction. Usually the nursery cares for 8-12 children each week. 8 volunteers currently participate in this ministry and there are always 2 volunteers present during each Mass.

Parish Council
The Parish Council is a representative body that seeks to assess the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish and encourage participation of all members in the spiritual and apostolic life of the parish. It also exercises a vital role in the decision making process of the parish in open and free dialogue with the priests and representatives of the parish community to reach a consensus. The Council membership consists of 6 lay members elected by the parish at large serving 2-year terms, 2 additional lay members appointed by the Rector serving 2-year terms, and ex-officio non-voting members.

Parish Life
The Parish Life Ministry mission is to build a spirit of social community (breaking bread) among parishioners and visitors through welcoming activities that build fellowship and promote involvement. The monthly covered dish suppers and coffee and doughnuts receptions are point-of-contact venues to welcome new parishioners into the community and engage existing members of the congregation. This ministry includes specialized events and could be expanded to other areas such as the RCIA program where a ‘welcome to the community’ reception can be planned.

Pro-Life
This group is dedicated to proclaiming the sanctity of all life, especially the protection of the rights of the unborn. Parishioners pray the Rosary outside the abortion center on 34th Street and carry out various other spiritual and fundraising activities supporting the pro-life agenda.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is the process by which unbaptized persons (catechumens) and persons baptized in another Christian church (candidates) are catechized and received into the Roman Catholic Church. The process commences in September and culminates at the Easter Vigil Mass. Catechumens receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Candidates, to complete their initiation into the Church, make a Profession of Faith and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Savannah Catholic Campus Ministry/CREED
This ministry serves Savannah college students who desire to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ through fellowship and formation in the Catholic faith. Savannah Catholic Campus Ministry strives to provide opportunities for college students to grow closer to Christ and with one another through Bible studies, social events, mentorship, Mass, prayer, volunteer work, pro-life work and retreats. 

Serra Club of Savannah
The Serra Club of Savannah is a group of dedicated Catholic men and women whose mission is to foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in the Diocese of Savannah. Through this ministry, they further the members' common Catholic faith and spirituality. The objective is to create a prayerful environment conducive to vocations in Savannah as well as increase awareness of the need for more vocations by making it apparent that "Promoting Vocations is Everybody's Business."

Social Apostolate
The Catholic Deanery Social Apostolate responds to the basic needs of homeless and at-risk individuals and families. We do this in the philosophy of Catholic social teaching. We are an accredited member of the Savannah Continuum of Care and other collaboratives in the city. The services include a soup kitchen, showers, clothes closet, work employability program, emergency services and educational services. We serve all of Chatham County.

Tour Guide Ministry
The tour guide ministry is a wonderful opportunity to not only share the beauty of our Cathedral with tourists, but also to be in the Lord's presence while we are doing it. Hundreds of tourists come through our doors every day and their appreciation of our knowledge of the Cathedral is very rewarding. A short description of the points of interest in the Cathedral is given to those who are interested. Morning and afternoon shifts of approximately three hours each are available, on a weekly or monthly basis. Training is provided.

Twin Spires Newsletter
The Twin Spires Cathedral Newsletter is a quarterly publication. Its objectives are to communicate with Cathedral parishioners, inform them of parish activities, describe the history and features of the Cathedral as well as create a sense of community. We welcome articles from parishioners and organizations alike.

Ushers and Greeters
The Cathedral Usher Corps is comprised of men and women who volunteer their time usually every other week and occasionally for special parish services. Their duties are first and foremost to act as greeters for parishioners and guests at each of the four weekend Masses. In addition, they act as guides in the church through the varied types of services, take up the collections and secure the money and direct parishioners during Communion. At the end of the service, they hand out bulletins and straighten up the kneelers and booklets in the pews. The time required is usually 15 minutes prior to and 5-10 minutes after Mass. There are four operating teams, one for each weekend Mass and all are in need of volunteers.

Worship Committee
The Worship Committee is responsible for the quality of the worship at the Cathedral. They plan and work to improve the liturgical aspects of the Cathedral so that the liturgy becomes a source of sanctification for the people of God and a model of good worship for the diocese. The committee is also involved with the historic aspects of the church.