Liturgical Activities

Parishioners are welcome to serve our parish liturgical celebrations as a lector, altar server, usher, sacristans, gift bearer, greeter, choir, and Eucharistic Minister.

Ushers

Ushers are signs of familiarity and stability for the worshiping community. Extending hospitality imitates God’s gracious welcome and furthers the assembly’s ability to worship. Ushers serve with discretion, creating an atmosphere conducive to prayer and worship. Their role is one of hosting with warmth, friendship, respect, and with a true attitude of service.

Ushers arrive about twenty minutes prior to Mass and help seat assembly members as they arrive. Ushers find individuals or families to present the gifts, and assist them at the offertory. Ushers take up the collection, guide the Communion procession, and distribute bulletins as they warmly wish parishioners a
good week.

Those serving in this ministry may be called upon to help parishioners in case of an illness or emergency, so a calm and comforting personality is a plus. The ability to work with others is an asset in this ministry since ushers serve together as part of a ministry team.

Ushers receive initial training on hospitality, the flow of the liturgy, and responsibilities and procedures for their ministry. Ushers are expected to dress in a modest and respectful manner.

Ushers are assigned with consideration for their Mass preference and availability.

The Ministry of Altar Server

An Altar Server is a member of the assembly who assists the priest and deacon during the Eucharist and other liturgical ceremonies so that the liturgy can be conducted with grace and reverence. Servers should be active and full participants in the celebration with the understanding that they are first and foremost members of the assembly. The server expresses this by singing, praying, and keeping silence along with the rest of the assembly.

Servers are fully initiated Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. Servers normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy. Additionally, servers are expected to be appropriately prepared, committed to giving their time and talent to their parish community, and willing to serve God’s people. They should be able to understand the Eucharistic celebration and the other sacred rites.

As servers give of themselves to help the priest and people worship better, they also receive God's help and blessing. Pope John Paul II once told a group of servers who came to visit him, Serving at the Eucharistic table and at the various liturgical celebrations, you draw directly 'from the wells of salvation' the strength necessary to live well today and then also to face your future more energetically.

Servers, like other ministers at Mass, receive God's help for their important service.

The Ministry of Eucharistic Minister

Eucharistic worship constitutes the soul of all Christian Life. In fact, Christian life is expressed in the fulfilling of the greatest commandment, that is to say, in the love of God and neighbor, and this love finds its source in the Blessed Sacrament, which is commonly called the Sacrament of Love.

Dominicae Cenae, On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II, First Sunday of Lent, 1980
The call to discipleship, inherent in Baptism, finds its expression through ministerial involvement. God’s people respond to the invitation of the Holy Spirit to identify and offer their gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Every time the Church gathers in the name of Jesus to celebrate the memorial of His Passover from death to life and His glorification, it gathers to eat the bread of life and drink the cup of salvation. An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion serves the assembly at that most sacred moment when Christ is present in the Eucharistic elements. The sacred character of the Eucharist should find expression in the attitude of the minister, who serves with devotion, reverence, dignity and personal attention.

Those who are called to this ministry are called to a special love and care for the Eucharist and for all those who share in the Body and Blood of the Lord.  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are called to serve the Body of Christ that is the Church, as well as the Body of Christ in the Eucharist species. If you are the body of Christ and his members, you are the sacrament of what is placed on the table of the Lord; it is the sacrament of what you are when you receive.  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Body and Blood of our Lord to the assembly during Holy Communion.

Those who take on the responsibility of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, are presumed to be of good faith, eager to serve their fellow Christians, and willing to engage in ongoing formation to improve the effectiveness of their service. These ministers are expected to dress in a modest and respectful manner. They must also possess a strong commitment to serving at their assigned liturgies.

Adults and teenagers who have made their Confirmation are invited to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for our liturgies. Guidelines for the ministry and practical training are provided. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are scheduled based on their mass preference and availability. If you wish to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact the parish rectory for further information.

Greeters

Greeters arrive about twenty minutes prior to the liturgy and welcome parishioners as they approach the church. They may assist with the doors and the distribution of worship aids. Their goal is to foster an atmosphere of warm hospitality and a climate of intimacy and comfort.

Greeters are assigned with consideration for their Mass preference and availability.