To inspire our parishioners, old and new, the Stewardship Committee presents an extravagant Festival of Ministries each year in November. To prepare for the Festival, the Stewardship Committee spends an enormous amount of time planning, organizing and preparing decorations for the church based on the year's stewardship theme. The goal of the Festival is to make parishioners aware of the various ministries and educate them about the parish and to inspire them to support it financially and spiritually. Each of the Standing Committees within the parish is asked to participate in the Festival Weekend. Each committee which represents a special ministry is given directions as to what, when, where and how to set up their individual committee's display at the Festival. There are handouts, pamphlets, pictures, and videotapes to showcase each committee's activities, and a committee representative is always at hand to answer any questions from parishioners. The Festival of Ministries is always a very colorful and lively event each year, encouraging parishioners to volunteer in any ministry that either fits their interest or their experience. St. Agnes is fortunate to have 84 subcommittees under 9 Standing Committees for which parishioners can volunteer. Truly, volunteerism is alive at St. Agnes with approximately 400 ministers.