ROLES OF THE LITURGICAL MINISTERS
Formation and Training are a necessary for all of these ministries. Once you offer your services, you will be contacted by the Parish Office to set-up a time for training.
GREETER: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,…”
Greeters are asked to arrive at church about 15-20 minutes before Mass starts. Pick up a name tag from the Ushers’ Room that identifies you as a Greeter. Welcome all into the church before Mass and help pass out bulletins for a few minutes after Mass.
USHER/MINISTER OF HOSPITALITY Closely allied with the Greeters, Ushers are asked to make all welcome. In addition they help people find seats, take up the collection and transport it to the bank, with another Usher, after Mass. Ushers are assigned for a month at a time and three to four crews rotate.
SONG LEADER “Persons designated for the ministry of Psalmist and Cantor should possess the ability for singing and a facility in correct pronunciation and diction…to promote the singing of the liturgical assembly.” (“STL, Music in Divine Worship” issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Song Leaders are asked to come prepared to lead the congregation in singing the hymns and psalms at Mass.
MUSICIAN The primary role of organists and pianists, and other instrumentalists with the “requiste talen and training” is to lead and sustain the singing of the assembly and cantor.(STL, Music in Divine Worship)
LECTOR / PROCLAIMER OF THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Canon 230 §2 “Lay people can receive a temporary assignment to the role of lector in liturgical actions. Likewise, all lay people can exercise the roles of commentator, cantor or other such, in accordance with the law.”
The position of Lector/Proclaimer is treated as one role. People are rotated between the two segments so that one time a person may be reading Scripture at Mass and the next time they would read the intercessions. A good resource book entitled “Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers” is made available to all Lector/Proclaimers at the beginning of each Advent each year so that they can prepare to proclaim the readings.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER Canon 230 §3 “Where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, … exercise the ministry of the word, …preside over liturgical prayers… and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
Eight Eucharistic Ministers are needed for each Mass. They are usually scheduled two to three times per month. The diocese requires that all Eucharistic Ministers receive training within six months of beginning this ministry.
SACRISTAN Sacristans assist the priest and liturgical ministers before and after Masses. They are asked to arrive 20-30 minutes before Mass, to make sure all other Liturgical Ministers have arrived, lights and sound system are turned on, bread and wine are in place for the Gift Bearers, etc. The goal is to have Sacristans rotate so they are serving once every three to four weeks.
ACOLYTE Acolytes are fifth grade and older, open to both males and females, including adults Their primary role is to assist the priest-presider throughout the Mass.
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