Category: Ministries

Children’s Choir

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

The Children’s Choir is for our parishioners in 3rd-8th grade. New, joy-filled singers always welcome!

Please see the schedule below for the Winter/Spring 2024.

SUNDAY MASSES – 9:30am-10:30am in the Church
February 11
March 31 (Easter)
May 12 (Mother’s Day)

SUNDAY REHEARSALS – 10:30am-11:30am in the Chapel
February 25
March 10
April 14, 21, 28
May 5

SPRING CONCERT
Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, May 18 – time tbd
Concert: Sunday, May 19 (Pentecost) – 2:00pm

Please contact Gabriella to sign up and ask any questions!
childrenschoir@nativitychurchnj.org

Contemporary Music Ensemble

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

The Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME) participates in 9:30am Mass every Sunday. We are actively seeking new voices and instruments to join our group. If you can carry a tune and enjoy singing with others, we really need you! The interruption caused by the pandemic, folks moving from the area and demands of everyday life have led to a drop in our membership.

Currently, we have 10 active members and, on some Sundays, given travel and other demands, we may have only four members in the loft. Ideally, we will build the choir to 20 members, or more. The time commitment is limited to two rehearsals a month and being in the loft on Sunday mornings at 9am to do final preparations for the Mass.

So, we ask that you take a moment to consider joining the CME. If you hear someone near you singing with a beautiful voice during Mass, and you’re prompted to do so by the Holy Spirit, please encourage them to join us.

Contact: Gabriella DiDomenico, childrenschoir@nativitychurchnj.org

Men’s Bible Study

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

The Men’s Bible Study (MBS) takes a biblical book and reads a chapter every week. The group decides which biblical book to read. The participants of the MBS arrive each week having read the designated chapter. Each participant brings a bible and their spiritual curiosity.

Communication occurs each week either via email or group chat to provide updates, reminding which book/chapter to read prior to each meeting. When the MBS convenes, it starts with an opening prayer. Conversations center around the following four questions:

    • a. What stood out to you this week?
      b. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
      c. Did anything make you feel differently about God?
      d. How might this change the way you live?

Every MBS ends with a prayer focused on the men in the group. An opportunity is provided for those in the group to ask for specific prayers. MBS meets every Thursday from 6:30am-7:15am in the Parish Library.

Contact: Drew LaBarbera, a.w.labarbera@gmail.com

Book Club

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

The Nativity Book Club is open to all parishioners interested in discussing books with Christian themes of giving, hope and compassion. We meet the last Monday of the month in the Parish Library from 7pm-8pm.

The following is a list of books we’ll be reading in 2024:

JANUARY
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman

FEBRUARY
Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

MARCH
Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict

APRIL
The Women by Kristin Hannah

MAY
Lady of Lake Como by Terrance Williams

JUNE
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larse

JULY
A Hundred Summers by Beatrix Williams

The Nativity Book Club is a collaborative group, open to book suggestions.

Contact: Liz Jacobelli, lizjacobelli@aol.com or 610-334-8731 (text)

Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

Pre-Cana is a ministry to engaged couples being married in the Church. It is a team effort by a group of happily married couples, committed to Christian marriage, who are willing to share with and minister to engaged couples. This group meets with engaged couples to discuss the many aspects of a good marriage.

The Church of the Nativity will host two Pre-Cana classes in 2024:

Saturday, March 23, 9:00am-5:30pm (includes Mass)
-or-
Saturday, October 19, 9:00am-5:30pm (includes Mass)

Sessions are open to all couples in the area. Meetings include a large and a small group dynamic.

Training for new team members is provided at Nativity parish by the team. Activities and responsibilities are multi-faceted and opportunities exist for anyone willing to help as speaker couples, discussion leader couples, buying refreshments (paid for by Nativity), or volunteering to babysit for team couples who have young children.

Contacts: Terry and Fred Horney, terryhorney@gmail.com or fredhorney@gmail.com

 

Vacation Bible School

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

Parish children (ages 4 years through fifth grade) participate in a unique and exciting biblical exploration for one week in the summer.  Students in sixth grade through high school participate as leaders. Youth and adult leaders guide everyone through storytelling, music, science, snack, and recreation – all based on Bible stories!  There is also a mission component where children learn how to help our neighbors in Christ locally and globally.

Contact: Annie DiDomenico, vbs@nativitychurchnj.org

Lazarus Committee

Posted on by claireh@nativitychurchnj.org

The Lazarus Committee reaches out to those who have experienced the death of a loved one by assisting with the funeral arrangements and liturgies in accordance with the Rite of Christian Funerals.  Members of this ministry provide support at this difficult moment for the family and friends of the deceased.

Contacts: Anne Wingertzahn or Allison Higgins, (732) 741-1714 x210 or welcome@NativityChurchNJ.org

Women’s Group

Posted on by Sarah Maris

The Nativity Women’s Group provides service, social activities, and comradery that are helpful and fulfilling to our parish and community. This includes hosting monthly Hospitality Breakfasts, Breakfast with Saint Nicholas, our Mardi Gras Dinner/Bingo Night, Easter Plant Sale, and Mother’s Day Collection for Birthright of Red Bank, along with many other events. The Women’s Group also raises funds for special projects for the parish and local charities.

The Women’s Group meets on the first Saturday of the month (September to June) at 9am in the Parish Library. Join us and see how you can be a part of this energetic group!

Contact: Melissa Hickey, melissahickey12@gmail.com