Different Ministries in the Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church believes in the sanctity of all human life, and its ministries inside and outside the church building reflect that: Helping the poor, the homeless, the uneducated, and those in need are some of the cornerstones of Catholicism. The Bible teaches to "treat others as you want to be treated," and ministries within Catholic churches try to follow that example.
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Lay Ministers
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Inside a Roman Catholic parish, individuals help with church services. These people are known as "lay ministers." They volunteer within the church to help things run smoothly on Sundays and throughout the week. The cantor leads the singing. The lectors read Scripture. The Eucharistic ministers serve communion during Mass and also take it to the housebound and ill. Altar servers, often children, assist the priest. Catechists teach the parish children about the Catholic faith.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
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The Roman Catholic Church is known for its work within the community. One of the best-known ministries is the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Their mission, according to their website, is "to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education." The campaign uses donations to help the poor locally and nationally.
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Catholic Charities USA
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Another ministry that helps the poor is Catholic Charities USA. Also working to reduce poverty, Catholic Charities provides food, health care and other services to those in need.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
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Not all Roman Catholic ministries are geared toward the poor. The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is for the next generation of Catholics. Based in Washington, DC, it encourages parishes to promote the role of the church and provide leadership in the lives of young people, and celebrate World Youth Day, which is usually the third Sunday in October.
National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved
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The National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved is led by lay ministers. They console and help those who have suffered a loss.
Catholic Doors Ministry
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A newer ministry is Catholic Doors Ministry. Based online, guests can click a number of different topics, from Bible questions to vocations. The site includes a place for prayer requests and even a chat room.
Knights of Columbus
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Another well-known Catholic ministry is the Knights of Columbus. Formed in 1882 as a fraternal society, the Knights now have over 1.7 million members. The Ladies Auxiliary is a complementary society for the members' wives. The founding principles are charity, unity and fraternity. The Knights of Columbus have donated over $1.3 billion to charities.
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