Community Corner

Viewfinder: St. Stephen Ministry Fair

The ministries of St. Stephen Catholic Church gathered to recruit volunteers and share their ministries with the community.

It was Charlie McGowan's first time participating in the annual St. Stephen Catholic Church Ministry Fair, and he was anxious to tell people about the ministry he began a year ago.

"It's a great event," said McGowan, founder of Kay's Ministry, which shares food, clothing and the Word of God with the homeless in Tampa. Up until now, McGowan has had only a handful of volunteers helping him pass out sandwiches and share the Gospel every Sunday. He said he participated in the ministry fair Sept. 24-25 in the hopes of recruiting others interested in helping.

"I think it went very well," he said. "Hopefully, I got some new volunteers from it."

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Most of the Valrico church's more than 100 ministries had tables set up at the ministry fair, which also featured free food, music, face painting and a bounce house to occupy the children while parents perused the offerings.

Volunteers from the various ministries were on hand to share their mission, hand out fliers and freebies, and sign up new volunteers.

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Among them was John Nemia, promoting his Career Transition ministry, which meets each Monday evenings at St. Stephen Catholic School to assist those who are unemployed or underemployed find work.

"This is a great way to get the word out," said Nemia as parishioners leaving Mass flooded the big-top tent outside the church where the ministry fair was held.

According to St. Stephen's pastor, the Rev. William Swengros, the ministry fair is an ideal way for the church's 4,371 families to discover the ministries of the church, some of which aren't readily visible because they work behind the scenes.

He encouraged all parishioners to become involved in at least one ministry.

 

 


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