Parish Life Ministries & Organizations

Careers in Transition

This organization is a mentoring and networking group for people who are in transition with their professional career. The group offers support, encouragement, advice, skill building and networking opportunities through guest speaker and mentors who have career search experience and expertise. Careers in Transition (CIT) meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. Contact Tony Armeni at 803.412.6955 or scarmeni@comporium.net for additional information.

Cub Scouts – Pack 219

Membership in Pack 219, open to all boys in Grades One through Five, helps individuals grow into honorable men. The focus lies upon each boy’s experiences with respect to religion, the outdoors, sports, citizenship and integrity. Growth, advancement and celebration are achieved through activities and monthly meetings. Cub Scout Pack 219 meets every Monday at 6:30 pm

Boy Scouts – Pack 219

Troop 219, chartered by St. Philip Neri Church in 2005, is open to all boys who have completed at least the Fifth grade, have received their Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award, or are at least 11 years of age. This organization teaches young men about the outdoors, leadership and citizenship. Boy Scout Troop 219 meets every Monday at 7:00 pm

Knights of Columbus

Bishop Denis J. O’Connell – Council 12366

Knights of Columbus are men committed to acting on our faith and helping the world. Our strong dedication to serving the Church is rooted in our order’s humble beginnings. On Oct. 2, 1881, a group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world’s largest Catholic family, fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith.

The order has been called “the strong right arm of the Church,” and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement, and aid to those in need.

As Knights, our faith is our foundation. Through involvement with the Knights of Columbus, our members become better Catholics. Our fraternity of brotherhood gives us the strength and desire to grow in our faith. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men who are at least 18 years old.

Women’s Group

This group, which is open to all interested women of the parish, actively engages women in a shared spiritual and social life. The members use their God-given talents to serve in the community and raise money for selected charities. The Women’s Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm, August through May. 

Wise Owls

This ministry, which brings together members of our parish age 55 and above, focuses on fellowship and companionship. Our motto of “Make Memories, Spread Happy” explains our goal of providing an atmosphere of congeniality where those of like interests can get to know one another and spread the sense of community. In addition, there are many opportunities to participate in trips and events. The Wise Owls meet on the first Friday of each month, September through May for lunch and a program.

Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians

This group, which is part of the nation’s oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organization, is open to all women of Irish descent that practice the Catholic faith. Building upon the principals of friendship, unity and Christian charity, members foster the ideals, promote Irish culture and embrace the history and traditions of Irish people. The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm, September through May.

The Polish Group

The members of this group, which all have Polish ancestral roots, seek fellowship and community. Members take part in lively discussions about ancestors, Polish customs and present-day Poland. They also enjoy traditional music and food during Christmas and Easter celebrations. The Polish Group meets the first Sunday of each month at 1:00 pm.

Saints and Sinners Bowling League

This recreational league, which uses a scoring system based on an individual’s handicap, is made up of parishioners from local Catholic churches that enjoy friendship and community along with a good bowling match. Mixed couples can join, as well as individuals or partial teams that are paired with other participants. The league meets every other week from September through April, excluding the holidays.

Independent Organizations

Addiction Independence Ministry (AIM)

This organization aims to reduce the destructive impact of addiction, reduce the threat of relapse and increase prevention efforts across the community. The group, which offers financial and moral support to families by sponsoring and mentoring their loved ones through the addiction treatment and recovery process, also assists program graduates through apprenticeship opportunities and career counseling. Additional information is available at addictionindependenceministry.org.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NANI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans challenged by mental illness. The local affiliate works in the community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. The group serves to educate, advocate for, listen to and lead those individuals and families affected by mental illness. Additional information is available at nami.org.

Toastmasters

The affiliate of Toastmasters International, a world leader in communication and leadership development, provides parishioners with a forum to learn and practice skills such as public speaking. Members, through the offered programs, become more effective in serving God, the church, their family and the community. Additional information is available at toastmasters.org.

Alpha Group

The Alpha Group, a local chapter of Sexaholics Anonymous (SAA), is a support network of men and women who gather to share their experiences, courage and perseverance as they strive to overcome sexual addiction and help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency. Using a 12-step program, the organization’s primary goal is for members to stay sexually sober and help others to recover and achieve sexual sobriety. Additional information is available at saa-recovery.org.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous offers physical, emotional and spiritual recovery programs for those individuals who want to stop eating compulsively. It is a safe, encouraging community where one can share struggles and celebrate victories over addictions with compulsive overeating, under-eating, food addiction, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or over-exercising. Additional information is available at oa.org.

New to volunteering at St. Philip Neri? Read our Safe Environment Policy.