PARISH HANDBOOK

ST. PAUL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH BULLVILLE, NEW YORK 10915

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St. Paul’s Mission Statement

St. Paul's Parish strives to be a community of Christians, in the Roman Catholic tradition, responding

to the call of Jesus under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, providing mutual assistance in Christian life, witness, service and worship and promoting the Reign

of God as proclaimed in the Scriptures:

to act with justice, to love tenderly,

to serve one another to walk humbly with God.

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SAINT PAUL'S R.C. CHURCH 2800 State Route 17 K

Bullville, New York 10915 Carmelite Friars

Mailing Address: St. Paul's R.C. Church

P.O Box 222 Bullville, NY 10915

Telephone: Church Office: (845) 361-3107

Religious Education Office: (845) 361-5816 FAX: (845) 361-4201

. Office Hours:

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sundays: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Mass Schedule:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Holydays 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. (Exceptions are noted in Sunday bulletin) Confessions (Reconciliation): 4th Saturday of the month: 3:30 p.m., or by appointment

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INTRODUCTION............................................................................... 5

Parish Organization……………….…………………………………. 6

Ministry of Administration and Stewardship…………………..… 7

1. Parish Council ………………...………….…………….….. 7

2. Maintenance ......................................................................... 7

3. Finance………..…………………………..…………….….. 8

4. Fundraising …………………………………....................... 8

5. Administrative Policies ……………………………………. 8

Ministry of Worship and Spiritual Life…………………………… 9

1. Liturgy Committee ..................................................….......... 9

2. Altar Servers………………………………........…….……. 9

3. Ministers of the Word (Lectors)……………………….……. 9

4. Eucharistic Ministers………………………………………. 10

5. Ministry to the Sick or Homebound..................................… 10

6. Ministry of Music………………………………........……. 10

7. Liturgical Art and Environment...................………….…… 10

8. Liturgical Hospitality…………………………………..….. 10

Ministry for Education and Formation………………………...… 11

1. Religious Education………………………………..…........ 11

2. Adult Education/R.C.I.A………………………….………. 14

3. Youth Ministry ……………………………….………….... 15

Ministry of Social Action……………………………………….….. 16

1. Christian Services………..……………………………….… 16

2. Promoting the Gospel of Life………..………………….…. 17

3. Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.)…………………………….... 17

4. Social Activities……………………………………………. 17

Parish History (Condensed)……………………………………….... 18

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Introduction

This Handbook contains information about the mission, organization, activities, ministries, and policies of our parish. We hope it will serve as a source of reference for all who are, or would like to be, involved in our parish community. The list of names and telephone numbers of people who can provide you with additional information is inserted separately in this handbook. In order to keep current, this insert will be updated and replaced each year.

There are numerous ways to serve the Lord and to minister to each other through

the social and spiritual experiences of our parish life. We need each person's special gifts and talents given in love and shared in fellowship with the membership of our parish family of faith. We continually offer our friendship and support to all our parishioners as together we endeavor to experience the spirit of our parish family - a community of faith that is alive and active.

If we have overlooked some activity of this parish, it was unintentional and we

sincerely apologize. As new activities develop, we plan to distribute updates to this handbook. The people of the Parish of St. Paul's R.C. Church in Bullville, New York, welcome your participation in any ministry you wish to join.

Thank you for helping St. Paul's.

VOLUNTEERS KEEP CHURCH PROGRAMS MOVING

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Parish Organization

Since 1912, St. Paul's Church has been a mission church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Middletown, New York and has been served by Carmelite Friars. At this time we have one full time priest and a deacon for our church. Consequently, much of the administration and many of the stewardship responsibilities of our church are handled by our people involved in various lay ministries.

Our Parish Council is the coordinating body for all of the various ministries in the

parish. The Parish Council and its Lay Ministries advise our parish priest on the needs of the people and help in implementing and evaluating our policies and procedures.

There are four Lay Ministries at St. Paul's church and each of these Lay Ministries has a designated Parish Council liaison. These Lay Ministries are:

Ministry of Administration and Stewardship

Ministry of Worship and Spiritual Life

Ministry of Education and Formation

Ministry of Social Action

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Ministry of Administration and Stewardship 1. Parish Council

The Parish Council of St. Paul's is a group of elected representatives of the people of the Parish. The Parish Council will advise and cooperate with the parish priest to see to the needs of the people for the good of the parish and to promote a more Christian community. The membership of the Council consists of ten elected representatives including one youth member, as well as ex-officio members: the Parish Priest, the Deacon, and the Coordinator of Religious Education. The elected members serve a three year term and the youth member a one year term.

Meetings are held once a month. They are announced, as well as posted, in the parish bulletin. The meetings are open to all parishioners and any parishioner may address the Council at their meeting. Minutes of the meeting are published each month and posted on the Bulletin Board in Damascus Hall. 2. Maintenance

The Maintenance Ministry's primary goal is to maintain the church and hall, inside and out, as if it were their own home. This means: cleaning-up the grounds, the parking lot, and making minor repairs, as needed. There is always something that needs to be done.

We bring in professionals for the big jobs: roof repairs, plumbing, oil burner cleaning, and repaving of the parking lot. But for the general upkeep of our church and Damascus Hall - annual spring clean-up, outside painting and cleaning of the building and grounds, and general maintenance - we rely mostly on the many volunteers and professionals we have right here in our parish. We volunteer when it is needed most, not always when it is convenient. Being part of this community, we will pitch in with our time as well as our treasure. We also have a good time while working together.

So that we become more than a maintenance work force, we ask volunteers for a particular project to first meet together. At this meeting; we pray together, get to know one another, and then plot-out strategy for getting the job done. Even while attending to the extremely practical details of maintenance, we remind ourselves that our first priority is to become a Christian community, a community of salt and light.

We announce our maintenance needs in the bulletin and, if you sign up to be called, we will call you for help.

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3. Finances

The law of the church requires that every parish have a Finance Council which exists separately, and apart from, the Parish Council. Its members are appointed by the parish priest to assist him in the administration of the financial concerns of the parish. The Finance Council reviews revenues and expenditures of the parish to determine if it is operating wisely and within proper limits. It also helps prepare a financial statement for the Chancery office of the Archdiocese and makes recommendations for handling expenditures and increasing revenues.

4. Fund Raising

As the name indicates, the Ministry for Fund Raising endeavors to supplement church funds through fund raising efforts. At present, St. Paul's Church has one major fund raising event each year (the "300 Club") and other smaller events, i.e. numerous breakfasts throughout the year. Some events of the past years along with the "300 Club" have been the Tricky Tray and Art Auction.

5. Administrative Policies

This ministry includes helping the parish priest set and implement local church policies as regard to the preparation for and administration of the sacraments, parish registration, and church office policies. At present, Ad Hoc committees are formed to address issues and concerns as they arise.

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Ministry of Worship and Spiritual Life 1. Liturgy Committee

The Ministry for Liturgy works together with the parish priest to develop

meaningful and relevant liturgies appropriate to the liturgical seasons. Generally speaking, meetings are held monthly, apropos of the church calendar, for the planning of the Advent and Christmas Season, the Lenten and Easter Season, Ordinary Time, Special Feasts, and finally, to review, evaluate, and implement liturgical policy. The parish priest is the coordinator of the meeting and one of the members is the Chair.

2. Altar Servers

Altar Servers are recruited following their First Communion. The Servers are trained for service at the altar during liturgies. They are expected, upon completion of their training, to serve scheduled weekend liturgies and may be asked to assist at other special liturgical celebrations in the parish. An effort is made to make this service a total growth experience for the young people who decide to participate in this program. Adults are needed to organize, train, and provide social opportunities for this group. Adults are also needed to care for the vestments for the servers.

3. Ministers of the Word (Lectors)

Ministers of the Word are registered adult members of our parish who are interested in proclaiming the Word of God (Scriptures) at all weekend Masses, Holy Days and 'special liturgical' celebrations. Lectors are scheduled on a rotating basis, and their Mass preference is taken into consideration. These members of our faith community are called upon, and after appropriate training, are formally commissioned to serve our community for a period of three years.

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4. Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers are registered adult members of the parish who assist the parish priest and deacon in distributing the Eucharist at all Masses. These members of our faith community are called upon, and after appropriate training, are formally commissioned to serve our community for a period of three years.

5. Ministry to the Sick or Homebound

These Eucharistic ministers are specially trained to bring Communion to those in hospitals, nursing homes or homebound. These members of our faith community are called upon, and after appropriate training are formally commissioned to serve our community for a period of three years.

6. Ministry of Music

The Music Ministry leads the congregation in sung prayer and enhances the liturgical life and worship of our community. Music is provided for the weekend Masses, as well as the Holy Days and special celebrations. Adults and youth members of our parish are invited to join this ministry. Neither past experience nor the ability to read music are required. Rehearsals for the Sunday Masses are held on Thursday evenings in the Church from 7:30 p.m. to no later than 9 p.m. Rehearsal for the Saturday Evening Mass begins an hour before Mass at 4:00 p.m. in the R.C.I.A. classroom in Damascus Hall.

7. Liturgical Art and Environment

Members of the Art and Environment Ministry lend themselves to designing and caring for the atmosphere of the church during the different liturgical seasons. This includes the care of altar cloths and votive candles, the display of banners, plants and flowers and other meaningful symbols. Extra help is needed especially at the Christmas and Easter Seasons. Ad hoc committees for this group may be set up to take care of various seasonal tasks.

8. Liturgical Hospitality

These ministers endeavor to extend a welcome to all who come to St. Paul's Church. Convinced that Liturgy flourishes in a climate of hospitality - in an area where people are comfortable and know one another - we especially want to create a spirit of hospitality at our liturgical celebrations. These ministers are greeters or ushers. Recognizing that medical emergencies can arise during these celebrations, parishioners who have medical training, i.e. doctors and nurses, have been designated as medical ushers (power ushers) to take charge and respond to those situations in an organized, professional, and calm fashion.

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Ministry for Education and Formation

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always; until the end of the ages.” Matthew 28:19-20

Under the supervision of the parish priest, St. Paul’s Ministry for Education and Formation is a coordinated program encompassing the religious education, formation and development of all our parishioners from pre-school through adult. This ministry works to maintain a general comprehensive religious education program for the whole parish community. The members of the ministry represent all the sacramental and educational areas in the parish, i.e., religious education for children, adults and spiritual development, and youth ministry. 1. Religious Education

“Train up a child in the way to go and when the child is old, the child will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

The Religious Education Program for our children is the immediate responsibility

and under the guidance of our Director of Religious Education (DRE), a certified, professional, religious educator, approved by the Archdiocese of New York. St. Paul’s Religious Education Program invites children into a closer relationship with God through prayer, instruction in Christian morals and ideals, and in the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

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Our Religious Education Program is available for registered, active, participating members of St. Paul's Parish. New parishioners transferring from a neighboring parish are required to register and then participate actively in our Church life for a period of one year before enrolling in St. Paul’s Religious Education Program OR, if they have just moved here, they can supply a letter from their previous Catholic Church testifying to their past status as active, registered, participating members of their previous parish. Registered members of St Paul's who have not been active, participating members of our Parish, must wait a period of three months before enrolling their child in our religious education program and in that three month period, the parents must demonstrate active participation by weekly attendance at Mass, reception of sacraments and community outreach.

Instruction is available for pre-school and kindergarten children throughout the school year on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and at 11:00 AM. Grades 1 and 2 receive instruction on Sundays as well; grades 3 through 9 receive instruction on week nights from 6:30 until 8:00 PM.

All children must be registered by a parent or guardian who has the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic Faith. Financially, the Religious Education Program is heavily subsidized by the Church. To help with costs, the Registration Fee is rated on a fluctuating scale. Additional Fees include a Book Fee per child and a Sacramental Fee per child (First Holy Communion & Confirmation). Parents/Guardians must register their children yearly for the Religious Education Program. The Parents / Guardian's responsibilities:

In keeping with Catholic teaching, you and your child/children are expected to join in our weekly Masses and participate fully in the faith-life of our Parish family

Help your child develop a prayer life by instructing them and praying with them Review weekly lessons at home Help your child with homework Attend scheduled meetings

Our program strives to meet each child's special needs. Whenever possible, we provide

a multi-level class each year for children who for one reason or another do not meet the conventional grade levels.

Children attending Catholic schools are welcome and encouraged to be a part of our program as a reinforcement of their Catholic education and to help them develop a sense of community with the children in the program. Catechists:

Catechists are volunteers who, through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, respond to a call to spread the Catholic faith to the children of our parish. If you think you may have a calling to the Catechetical Ministry and would like more information about becoming a catechist, additional information is available through the office.

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Sacramental Preparation for Children: Preparation for the Sacraments is done within the Religious Education Program. Requirements for the reception of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are:

Baptism Age of reason Proper and age appropriate knowledge of the sacrament Emotional and spiritual preparation Approval by parent or guardian, catechist and DRE Approval by the Parish Priest Our Religious Education Program is an extensive undertaking, involving many of our

children. Several volunteer sub-committees serve as supports, assistants, and resources for the Director of Religious Education. These sub-committees include:

Development of Curriculum Student Religious Activities Ongoing Formation of Catechists Teachers' Assistants Office Assistants Recruitment of Catechists Committee for Evaluation

The chairpersons of these sub-committees meet regularly with the Director. A Religious Education Calendar is distributed each year to parents.

Psalm 71:5 - "For you are my hope, 0 Lord, my trust, 0 God from my youth." .

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2. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

The R.C.I.A. is not just a "convert class" with a new name. It looks different, too. Special rites are celebrated during the weekend liturgies at various times throughout the year. Adults involved in the R.C.LA. may be dismissed each week after the homily to go and reflect on the scriptures they have heard. The R.C.I.A. involves the whole parish: in prayer as the rites are celebrated; in hospitality as new members are welcomed; and in specific ministries, such as, being a sponsor or team member.

The most important thing to keep in mind about the R.C.I.A. is this: it is not merely a new way to prepare adults for baptism. Baptism is only one step. The '"goal" of the R.C.I.A. is full communion; which means full, conscious, and active participation in the Eucharist and in the whole life of the Catholic faith community.

Classes are held one evening per week, for 1 ½ hours, starting in the Fall and ending at the Easter Vigil.

Adult Education

The Ministry of Adult Education is responsible for assessing and addressing the educational, formational needs of the adult community at St. Paul's, including preparation for parents of infants to be baptized. This Ministry sponsors on-going religious education programs, which pertain to the application of Christian principles to our every day lives and educates adults concerning their relationship with God and others. An effort is made to develop programs which will help to make our faith become living, conscious and active within our families as well as our parish family.

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3. Youth Ministry

Under the direction of our Youth Coordinator, and with the assistance of other adults and youths, the Youth Ministry endeavors to provide a program of spiritual, educational and social activities for youths in Grades 6 through 12. A Mission Statement, with objectives, serves as a foundation for the program. One of the integral aspects of the program is to encourage our teens to participate in each activity on an individual basis, without the added pressure to commit to future activities. This allows them to include youth ministry into their own busy schedules. Past activities include, but are not limited to: participating in Adopt-a-highway; weekend retreats (including Youth 2000), a bowl-a-thon; a youth Social; organizing food baskets for needy families; making donations to and visiting the Humane Society in Walden; Christmas caroling at nursing homes; an annual Fall kickoff party; conducting clothing drives and delivering clothes to a Homeless Shelter in NYC culminating with Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Youth Ministry Mission Statement:

The purpose of St. Paul's Youth Ministry is to serve the youth of our parish community by providing them with

opportunities to recognize and develop their unique Christian roles and faith life within the parish

community and beyond.

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Ministry of Social Action

The Ministry of Social Action works to promote and interpret the church's teaching about social justice and to involve parishioners in helping to meet the social needs of their community. The various ministries included under this heading are:

1. Christian Services

"For I was hungry and you gave me food,' I was thirsty and you gave me drink…” Matthew 25:35

The purpose of the Christian Services Ministry is to heed Jesus' call to His people.

This ministry is involved in many "reach out" services which include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provide meals for families during serious illness or hospitalization Transportation to doctor appointments, etc. Food preparation and service after a funeral Mass at the church Provide food from our Food Pantry on a weekly basis Food baskets for the needy at holiday times Cards and/or flowers sent to hospitalized members of the parish Emergency Fund for families in financial crisis Clothing Drive in June Provide walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, hospital beds, etc., Prayer chain Blood Drives “The Giving Tree” - Organize the collection of Christmas gifts for needy children

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2. Ministry to Promote the Gospel of Life - Respect Life

The purpose of the Ministry to Respect Life is to raise awareness of the sacredness of life and to encourage parish members to address all current issues that challenge the sacredness of life. The mission statement reads as, follows:

Through prayer, education and action,

the "mission" of the St. Paul’s Respect Life Committee is to further create in our Community

a conscientious respect for all human life, at every stage of his/her development.

The concerns of our Committee include: war and violence; bioethical issues

(abortion, euthanasia); death and dying; the death penalty; racism; the needs of the elderly and poor; the disabled; environmental preservation; that is "anything that destroys or endangers human life".

From the Catholic Bishops of the United States, NCCB Committee for Pro-Life Activities, Washington, D.C.

St. Paul’s does not support or endorse any political party.

3. Alcoholics Anonymous “A.A.” is independent of St. Paul’s Parish. We opened our doors to A.A. to use our facilities in the early 1980’s and have made this outreach available to the community since then. A.A. meetings are held regularly on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Help is available: A.A. Hotline: (845) 534-8525. 4. Social Activities

This Ministry organizes and oversees social events for the parish throughout the year. Since “many hands make light work”, volunteers are always needed to make these events successful. Some social activities include: Annual Parish Picnic; Sunday morning coffee hours and pancake breakfasts; Wine & Cheese Socials on Saturday evenings; International/Seasonal dinners, etc.

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St. Paul’s R.C. Church, Bullville, New York

PARISH HISTORY (Condensed)

(Taken from “History of Saint Paul’s Church,”

by Deacon John H. Frohbose, 1965 - Updated 1996 and 2000) Bullville is recorded as “A hamlet in Crawford Township, Orange County, New York, twenty miles west of Newburgh.” The place was named after the Crawford family. Bullville itself was named for Thomas Bull, who was a son of the early settler, Daniel Bull. Thomas Bull was a distiller of apple whiskey and built the hamlet of Bullville near the scene of his activities. Exactly when the first Catholic Church of St. Paul was built is subject to some questions but it appears as though it was around 1865. Upon completion of the church, it was assigned as a “Mission” of St. Joseph’s Church in Middletown. In 1874 it became a Mission of St. Mary’s, Montgomery. In 1893 St. Paul’s became a Mission of Precious Blood, Walden. In 1902 St. Paul's was annexed to St. Joseph’s, Wurtsboro and remained its Mission until 1912 when the Carmelite Friars took responsibility for St. Paul's as a Mission of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middletown under the care of Fr. Simon Stock Farrington, O.Carm.. After the arrival of the Carmelites, many improvements were made. A cement driveway was poured, an organ was installed and new sheds were built at the back of the church to accommodate the horses while the people attended Mass. The years following the arrival of the Carmelites found an increase of population and the need to increase the size of the Church was realized in 1952 when a new foyer, baptistery and choir area were completed. A shrine of stone and marble was dedicated in front of the Church in 1954, the year dedicated to our Blessed Lady by Pope Pius XII, as “Marian Year.” In 1958 a railroad bell was donated by Alfred and George Schubert of Circleville. On the morning of October 29, 1962, a child entered the Church to search for his books left behind at Sunday School the preceding day. The early morning being dark, the boy lighted a candle to find his way. The candle fell in a waste paper basket and in moments the Church was ablaze. Upon the ashes of one hundred years, a team of volunteers quickly rallied to the cause of a new Church. While the work went on, Mass was held at Townley Hall in Circleville for one year, and then parishioners joined those at Our Lady of the Assumption in Bloomingburg. On Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965, a joyful, but tired, congregation attended a high Mass for the first time in the new church. Over the years St. Paul’s has grown in leaps and bounds. There are almost 1,000 registered families and you are now also a part of this growing, changing community. The last four decades have seen plenty of activity - - - In the 1960’s and 1970’s the first Parish Council was formed and the first Lay Ministers of the Eucharist were commissioned.

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On February 11, 1978, John H. Frohbose, was ordained to the Permanent Deaconate by Terence Cardinal Cooke at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The 1980’s saw the building of Damascus Hall. It was dedicated on Sunday, June 14, 1987 by Bishop Austin B. Vaughan, Vicar of Orange County. The building consists of nine classrooms, expanded kitchen and office areas as well as a large parish hall. The 1990’s saw the steady growth of Orange County and, consequently, St. Paul's Church: In 1993 our community made a three-year commitment to “Renew”. In that same year we raised $ 10,000 to send 17 teens + chaperones to participate in World Youth Day in Denver, where they greeted the Pope on his visit to the U.S. In February of ’96 we introduced the “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” which invites our youngsters (grades K – 6) to hear the Word of God during Sunday Mass, using the Children’s Lectionary, and enabling them to reflect on God’s message in a unique and creative way. In 1997 – 1998 we raised $30,000 to expand our parking lot, due to the increasing attendance at church functions. In April of 1999, because of the many and creative ways we have assisted our families in their religious formation of their children, St. Paul's was the proud recipient of the Mustard Seed Award. The Award was presented, personally, to our Religious Education Coordinator (Peg Hoblin) by Cardinal O’Connor. In Advent of that same year we entered into and embraced preparations for the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000 to “Open Wide the Doors to Christ”. As we entered the Year 2000, we continued to expand and explore the many and varied ways we can minister to our community. You are all part of St. Paul’s history now; it’s a legacy that we are proud to hand down to our children.

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ST. PAUL'S HAS THE SPIRIT,

PASS IT ON!

THIS DOCUMENT (LIKE OUR PARISH) IS CONTINUALLY IN PROCESS, EVOLVING AND CHANGING.

Published: First Printing, December 1984 Revised, July 1997 and September 2000 Second Printing, September 2000 Revised, August 2006 Third Printing, September 2006

Under the auspices of the Parish Council, St. Paul's R.C. Church, Bullville, New York 10915