Pope Francis tells us, “Love, after all, can never be an abstraction.
By its very nature, it indicates something concrete:
intentions, attitudes, and behaviors that are
demonstrated in daily living.”
We are called to imitate God and show mercy to our fellow man, as God shows mercy to His people. As Christians, we should put others’ needs before our own, recognizing that if we are to love as Jesus loves, our actions should be that of the servant, full of humility and dedication to service. Here at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we show each other Jesus’ love through participation in our various ministries. Each ministry has its own purpose, but ultimately, each one draws us into a deeper relationship with Christ and fosters discipleship. Please take a look through our ministry opportunities and reflect… pray about where God is calling you to serve!
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical Ministries
Welcome Committee
The Welcoming Committee greets new parishioners to make them feel welcome in their new faith community.
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and join in offering a hand of friendship to our new parish members.
If you want to volunteer for this ministry, please call the office at (941)966-0807 or email Kathy Crisman at gma53crisman@gmail.com.
Adult Faith Formation
The Church is missionary by her very nature. Her mission is to proclaim the Good News and the salvation of Christ to all people in all places. All of the baptized are part of this mission.
Evangelization is the Church’s deepest identity. Evangelization brings the good news of the Gospel to all who seek the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. Catechesis nourishes, forms and deepens the faith one receives through the ministry of the Church. However, it is not just a “class.” It is formation in the life of discipleship.
Evangelization and catechesis go hand-in-hand. Evangelization without catechesis, or without a catechetical framework, would be empty and without context. And catechesis without evangelization is void of the purpose of catechesis which is always to bring about an initial conversion, or a deeper relationship, with Jesus.
By virtue of our baptism, all are called to live our faith and to bear witness to the Gospel by our lives to our families, friends, parish communities and society at large. To share in the Church’s mission of Evangelization and Catechesis is to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
All are invited to visit the various pages of our website to look for opportunities to grow in your relationship with Christ and with each other as well as to grow in knowledge of our Catholic faith. Then, “Go tell the others” and invite them to join us.OCIA is for those who are:
1. Not Catholic but would simply like to learn more about the Catholic faith for the first time
2. Not baptized but would like to be baptized Catholic
2. Baptized in another faith tradition and wish to become Catholic
3. Baptized Catholics who are not catechized and need to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist)
We also welcome fully-initiated Catholics in full communion with the Church who would like to serve as sponsors / godparents.
Visit the below webpages to learn more about becoming Catholic and the OCIA program. For additional information, contact Fr. Anthony Armstrong at 941-966-0807, We look forward to hearing from you!
For more information, please contact John Sellner at Jsellner@olmc-osprey.org.
1) Christian Initiation of Adults from USCCB.org2) Beginning Catholic (from a former Non-Catholic)For more information, please contact John Sellner at Jsellner@olmc-osprey.org.
Classes / Events with Father FredSessions will be held weekly in Tillotson Hall, from 10am until 11:30am
These sessions will alternate between reading and discussing St. Matthew’s gospel and listening and discussing lectures by prominent authorities on the history, theology, and archaeology of the Old and New Testaments. All are invited to attend no matter what your background is in scripture, and no matter whether you must miss sessions in between or not. Coffee and water is usually served, and participants are invited to bring some munchies for all to enjoy.
Registration
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments of Initiation? If your heart is stirring with questions or a desire for a stronger relationship with the Lord, OCIA might be the next step. Our OCIA program guides individuals on a transformative journey to embrace the Catholic faith.
Classes start in August.
Sign ups will be closing on August 15!
Youth Faith Formation
Welcome to the Youth Religious Education program at Our Lady of Mount Carmel! We are dedicated to nurturing the faith and spiritual growth of our community, providing a strong foundation in Catholic teachings for children and teens. Our programs are designed to inspire a deeper relationship with God and prepare individuals for the sacraments. We are here to support you every step of the way.
For more information, please contact John Sellner at Jsellner@olmc-osprey.org.
We meet weekly on Sunday from 9:15-10:15am.
Family Faith Formation replaces the traditional classroom model of drop-off / pick-up classes for students only. With Family Faith Formation, parents attend an adult Bible study held at the same time their child(ren) are in class. There is NO registration fee to participate in our parish religious ed or sacramental prep programs. We just ask that you be: registered with our parish, regularly attending Sunday Mass with our parish and involved in the life of the church.
Registration for Sacramental Prep for First Communion and Confirmation:
Preparation to celebrate the sacrament of First Reconciliation / First Communion is a 2-year process typically starting in First Grade and celebrated at end of Second Grade. Preparation to celebrate Confirmation is also a 2-year process starting no earlier than 9th Grade and typ. celebrated at end of 10th Grade. Preparation lessons for First Reconciliation / First Communion and for Confirmation are given within the student’s weekly Sunday religious ed classes. Students must be registered and regularly attending weekly Sunday religious education classes for 2 years prior to celebrating a sacrament. Should your family have a unique situation, we are happy to discuss it with you.
Questions about our programs or how to register?
Please contact 941-966-0807: Thank you and we look forward to meeting you and your family!
Altar Servers
Come one, come all, to the Table of the Lord.
Have you ever wanted to serve at the Altar but were unable for one reason or another?
We invite girls and boys, women and men, to this privileged service of altar ministry. Altar service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel is open to anyone over the age of 8.
Servers assist at weekend Masses, weddings, funerals, and other liturgical services. New server orientation and training sessions are held as needed.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel seeks committed, reverent servers to assist at the altar. Are you interested? Contact the office at (941) 966-0807.
Choir
The choir at Our Lady of Mount Carmel rehearses from October through May. The choir is scheduled to sing Sunday at 10:30am Mass, as well as a few special holy days.
The choir rehearses on Sundays from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM.
The music, while challenging for some, will be fairly easy for others. The choir’s main goal is to encourage singing within the congregation.
The choir is always a part of the whole body of the faithful.
Instrumentalists are also needed from time to time.
For more information, email Kathleen Lyda at klyda@olmc-osprey.org or call the office at (941) 966-0807.
Eucharistic Ministers
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
An Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister is part of a sacred ministry that serves our parish community by participating in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.
Serving as a Eucharistic Minister is an honor and a responsibility. Because of the Blessed Sacrament, it is performed with reverence and solemnity.
In 1973, the Church approved extraordinary lay ministers, now called Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion. Before entering the ministry, men and women are instructed to assist with the distribution.
In the part of the liturgy called the Epiclesis, the Spirit transforms the bread and wine into the Eucharistic Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharistic Ministers assigned as Bread and Cup Ministers then join the celebrant in the distribution to the assembly.
Eucharistic Ministers on special assignment also visit the Homebound after Mass. Each Eucharistic Minister is encouraged to be part of this important ministry to the sick and homebound.
If you want to be considered for this ministry, please call the parish office at (941)966-0807.Eucharistic Minister Form
- Sign upsYou will find the sign-in sheet with no names in the Eucharistic Minister slots on the counter across from the reception desk.If you would like to serve that day, PRINT your name in one of the open positions and remember which position you signed up for.To ensure that the same people aren’t hoarding the opportunities to serve, please don’t arrive early to sign up EVERY week to give others a chance.Thank you for your involvement in this important ministry and for all you do for our parish.
Sacristans
A Sacristan is one who oversees the sacristy (the place where sacred vessels, candles, holy oils and other things which are used for religious services are kept).
The Sacristan usually arrives about 30 minutes prior to Mass and makes sure the priest has the required readings and other items used in the celebration of Mass. After Mass, the Sacristan is responsible for returning the items used for Mass to their proper place.
If you want to volunteer for this ministry, please call the office for Darwin Reeck at (941)966-0807 ext. 303.
Greeters and ushers
Ushers greet people with a smile as they enter the church and, when necessary, assist them with finding seats. They take up the collection after the Prayers of the Faithful, indicate the direction in which people should move to receive the Eucharist, and at the end of the Liturgy, they hand out Bulletins.
Most of our ushers have been certified in CPR and the use of defibrillators and can help in an emergency.
If you want to volunteer for this ministry, please call the office for Darwin Reeck at (941) 966-0807 ext 303.
Lectors
A Lector serves as a minister who proclaims God’s Word to the assembled faith community. Liturgical proclamation of the Word represents an awesome responsibility to which one is called, and into which one is formed.
The quality of the reader’s proclamation may determine whether their service helps the listeners. The parish requires and provides training. Once trained, lectors will receive an assignment based on our parish needs and their available.
Our goal includes providing an adequate number of effective lectors with an opportunity to participate with sufficient frequency to maintain skills. If the lector pool becomes too large to achieve our goal, we will rotate lectors. This will be done in a manner to ensure there are enough available lectors throughout the year.
If you would like to be considered as a Lector, please call the office for Darwin Reeck at (941)966-0807 ext. 303.
Arimatheans
Bereavement Ministry
The Gospel of John (19:38-42) relates the story of Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, who after the death of Jesus claimed his body from Pilate. Along with Nicodemus he prepared it for burial according to the Jewish custom and provided a new tomb for the interment of Jesus’ body. While today these physical needs are met by funeral directors, the celebration of the new spiritual life of the deceased needs to be done in community. From the example of Joseph of Arimathea flows a ministry of love known simply as Arimatheans.
The Arimatheans consists of a group of caring parishioners wishing to support their brothers and sisters in Christ who have experienced the loss of a loved one. They show that support by attending the funeral as representatives of our faith community. We, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, have regular instances where there are very few or no family members to attend the funeral liturgy. It is our belief that no member of our faith community should grieve alone.
A phone calling chain notifies the Arimatheans when a funeral is scheduled. If the Arimathean is available, he/she simply attends and sit with the other Arimatheans as a show of support.
If you are interested in becoming an Arimathean, please call the parish office at 941-966-0807 and speak with Darwin Reeck.
Funerals
Funeral Liturgy
At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun at the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist. The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian Funeral. The participation of the family and all others gathered for the Mass is encouraged and welcomed.
Relatives and friends of the deceased are invited and urged to participate by reading the Scriptures of the Mass, by offering aloud the Prayers of the Faithful, and by presenting the gifts of bread and wine. In a meeting with the parish Funeral Planner before the service, the family will be aided in choosing appropriate Scripture readings, musical selections, and the wording of the Prayers of the Faithful. Music is an integral part of the liturgical celebration and is always included in the Funeral Liturgy.
Planning
Dealing with the death of a family member can be overwhelming, to say the least. Pre-planning your funeral liturgy can be of immense value to survivors during a time when there are a multitude of details for them to attend to. Completing this task in advance will truly be a gift to them.
Staff member, Darwin Reeck, will be happy to assist you in the process. Simply call 941-966-0807 ext. 303 to make an appointment.
If a family member dies, please contact the office and arrange to schedule the funeral Mass. If you have not done any pre-planning, Darwin will sit with you to plan the funeral liturgy.
- As an extension of the Eucharistic meal shared at the Funeral Mass, we offer the opportunity for family and friends to gather at Fr. Fred Tillotson Hall for a luncheon, immediately following the Mass. Our funeral luncheon team will take care of the set-up, food preparation, serving, and clean-up. The fee for the meal is very modest and there is no rental fee for the use of the hall.
Memorial Garden
Our Lady of Mount Carmel offers for the cremains to be interred in its beautifully maintained and prayerful Memorial Garden. This interment may take place immediately following the Funeral Mass or at a later time. The name of the deceased will be inscribed on the Memorial Wall in the foyer of the Parish Center.
You may pre-register for a space in the Memorial Garden by contacting Darwin Reeck at 941-966-0807 ext. 303.
Christian Service
Christian Services
Grief Support
In response to meeting the needs of those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish offers the opportunity to attend a 6-week grief support group. Sessions are held once per week for 1 ½ hours. The group explores, within a trusting and nurturing environment, their reactions to loss, the grieving process, and strategies for coping. Group members are given the tools necessary to integrate changes into their lives which will help them move forward with HOPE.
Support groups are intentionally kept to a relatively small size with no more than 9 people in each group. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from attending a grief support group, call the parish office and speak with Darwin Reeck at 941-966-0807 x303.
Homebound
Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35)
The ministry of the Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound is that of bringing Communion to those in our Parish who are unable to attend Mass. The faithful who cannot attend Mass are deprived of the prayerful celebration of the mystery of Christ’s PRESENCE amid His people. In bringing Communion to them, the minister represents Christ and manifests faith and charity on behalf of the whole parish community. For the homebound, the reception of Communion represents not only a privilege but a sign of support and concern by our parish community for all its members. The Sacrament is brought to the homebound as an extension of the Eucharistic celebration at our weekend Masses.
To become a homebound minister, you need to take the Diocesan “Safe Environment Training” online and receive instruction in the parish. The time commitment is about one hour a week and seasonal residents are welcome to participate. If you would like to become a Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound, or if you need someone to bring Communion to you, please call the parish office and talk with Darwin Reeck at 941-966-0807.
“If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51)
Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus Council 15821
What You May Not Know about the Knights of Columbus
Father Michael J. McGivney and the Founding of the Knights of Columbus
In 1882, Catholic immigrants were facing hostility and were thrown into dangerous work conditions which could cause early deaths. 29-year-old Father Michael McGivney gathered the men of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., to found a lay organization on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. The goal was to unite men of the Catholic faith and provide for the families of deceased members. Father McGivney is a candidate for sainthood. His cause for canonization is open, and he was given the title “Venerable Servant of God” by the Holy See in 2008.
The Knights today
With over 2.1 million members and almost 17,000 councils worldwide, the Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. Knights are active in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Poland, Panama, Guatemala, Lithuania, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, South Korea, Ukraine, and more. There are 332 K of C councils on college campuses around the world.
Also, an Insurance Company
The insurance system established by Father McGivney has evolved into a top-rated Fortune 1000 insurance program, with a financial strength rating of AA+ (Superior) from AM Best, and over $123 billion of life insurance in force.
Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers a suite of faith-based investment solutions for Catholic investors.
K of C’s investment team managed approximately $30 billion in assets related to these businesses as of the most recent quarter-end. These strategies are managed by the Catholic moral principles.
Charity by the numbers
2024 was a record-setting year for Knights of Columbus charitable work with an unprecedented $193 million in donations and 47 million hours of service provided worldwide. K of C donated almost $3 billion to charitable causes over the past decade (as of December 2024).
Pro-Life
K of C has been instrumental in the annual event since the very first one in 1974. Since 2009, the Knights have funded 1,865+ ultrasound machines at pregnancy care centers in all 50 states. If each machine saves the lives of just four unborn children each week, the Knights will have saved more than 1 million lives.
Special Olympics
The Knights have been a major supporter of the Special Olympics since the very first games and have raised and donated more than $650 million and over 4 million volunteer hours to the Special Olympics.
Noteworthy Knights
Several Knights have already been declared saints. St. Luis Batis, St. Rodrigo Aguilar, St. Miguel de la Mora, St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado, St. José María Robles, and St. Mateo Correa were martyred during the persecution of Catholics in Mexico in the early 20th century. Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, and President John F. Kennedy were all members.
At the peak of the Ku Klux Klan’s power, the K of C stood as its most vigorous opponent.
In one incident in 1924, hooded Klansmen abducted, severely beat, and mutilated the rectory, protecting another priest and the church itself from the Klan’s threats to burn it.
Patriotism
Patriotism is the fourth pillar of the K of C, following the founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. The Knights were instrumental in lobbying for the words “under God” to be added to the Pledge of Allegiance. This year, the Knights sent more than 200 pilgrims to the Marian shrine in Lourdes, France for a time of rest, prayer, and healing as part of the annual Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage. The first American and the last American to fall in World War I were the Knights of Columbus.
Evangelizing a new generation
A major supporter of vocations, K of C councils “adopt” one or more seminarians and provide them with financial assistance and prayer through the RSVP program. A major initiative of the K of C, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington D.C. has a first-class relic of JPII’s blood, and it is a great place to venerate the saint and remember his legacy.
Practicing Catholic men 18 years of age and older can join at KofC.org/JoinUs
For Local Membership Information, Council 15821
Chuck Donelson
Grand Knight
Cell 561-353-8774
oachuck@gmail.com
Ladies Auxiliary
LADIES AUXILIARY of council #15821
We are the wives and friends of the Knights of Columbus who support their primary principles of charity, unity, and fraternity.
Membership is open to any female parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who is over 18 years of age and supports the principles of the Knights of Columbus. You do not have to be related to a Knight to join. You do not have to be Catholic to join. Come and join us!
Our Purpose
The Ladies Auxiliary helps to promote the spiritual and social well-being of the Knights, ladies, and families. We provide the opportunity to form friendships and serve Christ by serving our parish, community, and each other. We shall support the Knights of Columbus Council #15821 activities when assistance is requested.
Our Meetings
We meet the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Tillotson Hall.
Interested?
Email Kathy McEntee at kemcentee07@gmail.com
Prayer Shawl
We meet on the first Thursday of every month at 10am October through June.
Basic knitting or crocheting experience, and love and caring for the homebound and/or the bereaved are all you need to join our group. If you’re interested, call the parish office.
“Shawls… made for centuries are universal and embracing, symbolic and inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, give solace, mother, hug, shelter, and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed as if given wings to fly above their troubles…”
Janet Bristol: 2008Please call the parish office and talk with Darwin Reeck at 941-966-0807 for more information.
Social Action
Social Action
Immokalee Food Drive
The monthly food drive is conducted as follows:
- Bags are distributed only on the first full weekend of the month
- For example: If the 28th or 31st falls on a Saturday, and the 1st falls on a Sunday we wouldn’t hand out bags. If it’s a full weekend where the 1st is on Saturday and the 2nd is on Sunday, we can distribute bags.
- Bags are collected the following weekend (Saturday & Sunday) of the month.
We appreciate the parish volunteers; however, the Immokalee food drive is ideally managed and coordinated by the parish Knights of Columbus members. We would not want to unnecessarily burden or injure parishioners by assisting.
- We are working with David Strout (current Family Services director) and Chuck Donaldson (Grand Knight) to identify the best course of action in the distribution process of donated goods on the respective days.
Concerning logistics in getting the goods down to Guadalupe Social Services, we currently utilize a driver schedule, preferably Knights to drive down on Monday. The drivers use the parish van and are registered and vetted.
- If any volunteers would like to be considered for driver details, we would need them registered and vetted. They must have a valid driver’s license.
Please contact Jean Milord jmilord1@gmail.com or call the office to become involved.
Respect for life
Our Respect for Life ministry Supports life at all stages but most opportunities for this ministry concern the Right to Life for the unborn. Sarasota’s Planned Parenthood clinic is a regional hub and the busiest in the state. Approximately 70,000 babies have been aborted at this facility. We want to see it closed. Our ministry participates in several ministry opportunities:
- Rosary for Life: Wednesdays after 8:00 am Mass
- 40 Days for Life fall season: Every fall and Lent the church signs up for at least one full day, sometimes two, to pray at the Planned Parenthood building in downtown Sarasota for an hour or two each. We pray and walk on the public sidewalk from 9 am to 7 pm, with at least two volunteers per hour. Sign-ups are held in the church lobby before and after Masses before our dates.
- 40 Days for Life spring season (Lent), same as fall
- 365 Days for Life: Individuals sign up to pray at Planned Parenthood all year during the hours the abortionist is present (usually Tuesday and Wednesday 9-3). There is also Eucharistic Adoration during those hours at Mary’s House, the small building next to CPCI. Adorers are always welcome. Sidewalk counselors must be trained. Prayer warriors outside are also always needed.
- Community Pregnancy Clinic fundraisers
- Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Clinic fundraisers
- Solve maternity home fundraisers
- Election work like the effort to defeat Amendment 4
- March for Life at Ave Maria University each January
- Rosary Rally: Every Sunday at Planned Parenthood’s sidewalk, weather permitting, 2:30-4:00 PM
Please contact Karen Mattox karenmattox@gmail.com or call the office to become involved.
