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LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
"I am writing these instructions so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."
1 Tim 3:14-15
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life; and the Eucharistic Liturgy is the primary means by which we gather, strengthen, and are sent into the world to help establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.
The word "liturgy" originally meant a "public work" or a "service in the name of, or on behalf of, the people." In Christian tradition it means the participation of the People of God in the Work of God.
Liturgical Ministry is comprised of many parishioners who carry out the various functions that enable us to express our praise and thanks to God. The goal of this Ministry is to bring forth the fullest and most active participation of our entire parish community in the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy. Training is required.
Ministers of Hospitality: Ushers and Greeters The Usher or Greeter is usually the first representative of the parish encountered by people coming to Mass. Ushers and Greeters serve the parish community by being a visible sign of "welcome" to members of the parish community and visitors alike. They greet people in the name of the parish community and help to make them feel at home. They provide a sense of order at liturgies, escorting both friend and stranger into the worshipping assembly and assisting members of the assembly with special needs, and they answer questions. They take the collection and they recruit a family or group of individuals to bring the gifts of bread and wine forward to the altar. They hand out bulletins at the end of the liturgy.
Eucharistic Minister
Eucharistic Ministers are those parishioners who assist the priest in distribution of the body and blood of Christ at Mass and other liturgical services. They are brothers and sisters in this very body and blood they are sharing, and not only speak their own faith in saying "body of Christ," they call forth the faith of the one receiving. In addition to ministering at mass, some Eucharistic Ministers take communion to the sick or others unable to attend Mass.
Altar Server
Altar Servers take the responsibility for freeing the presider from various details so he may give full attention to presiding. The various tasks include: assisting with the sacramentary when the presider needs to read from it; preparing the altar table with the vessels of bread and wine; taking care of candles, incense, and cross. The main task of the Altar Server is to model liturgical prayer with grace and reverence and enter whole-heartedly into the public worship of the community. Those wishing to be Altar Servers must be in the 5th grade or above and able to attend training sessions.
Reader
Readers serve as those who proclaim the Word of God to the community at every liturgy. It is the task of the Reader to proclaim the scriptures so that they command the attention of all. Proclaiming the Word is different from any other reading. Eye contact and presence is of the essence—God speaks to people through the Reader. A Reader strives to present the Word of God with clarity and distinction so that it is not just merely "read", but fully understood by the listening Parish Community. A period of silence and reflection after the reading is very important. The Reader also delivers the Prayers of the Faithful and Announcements. The Reader prepares during the week by practicing aloud and reflecting on the scripture readings.
Sacristan
The Sacristan is needed before and after mass. Their responsibility is to prepare the sanctuary, credence table and sacristy for a given liturgy. The Sacristan insures that the altar and any liturgical objects and books are ready before mass begins. The Sacristan is also a Eucharistic Minister and, as such, cleans the sacred vessels following mass. After the mass, the Sacristan returns liturgical objects to their proper places.
Sacristy Care Individuals are needed to provide care and maintenance of liturgical objects and liturgical garments.
Adult Funeral Acolyte
This Acolyte provides assistance to the presider at funeral liturgies. The Acolyte readies the altar area for mass, often proclaims the scripture readings and delivers the Prayer of the Faithful, and assists with communion. The Acolyte remains after the mass to clean and return liturgical objects to the proper places.
LITURGICAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ministers of Hospitality: Ushers and Greeters
Eucharistic Minister
Server
Reader
Sacristan
Sacristy Care
Adult Funeral Acolyte
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