Every liturgy is an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ, Head and members. When the Church gathers for liturgy, we become a visible sign of the Body of Christ.  All members of the Church have been made priestly people through Baptism; therefore all are copresiders with Christ.  All are called to “full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations”.  (See Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, # 7 and # 16.)

In the light of this renewed understanding of liturgical principles dating back to Vatican Council II, many important liturgical functions are now entrusted to the laity, who are drawn from the community, trained by the parish, and commissioned to serve with the sincere devotion and decorum expected of them by God’s holy people.

These include:

• Altar Servers who assist by carrying the cross, candles, etc. liturgical objects in procession, assisting the presider by holding the Book of Prayers, being of assistance to the presider in whatever is needed.
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who assist with the distribution of Holy Communion under both species at Mass. They might also bring Holy Communion to those who are ill or homebound.
• Lectors (Readers) are entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God to the assembly.  The ministry of lectoring or doing the readings at Mass enables readers to serve their fellow parishioners as well as become more knowledgeable about the scriptures and their meaning.  They also assist with preparing the Prayers of the Faithful.
• Ministers of Hospitality/Ushers  greet the people as they enter, assist them in finding seats, and help them get situated within the assembly, be vigilant to whatever might need attention as the assembly gathers.

Art and Environment is the ministry that adorns our worship space with the outward signs of the eight liturgical seasons in the Church calendar: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time.  Each of these seasons requires a specific color as well as the presence or absence of certain liturgical objects that symbolically evoke the spirit and meaning of a given season.

Ten to fifteen people are needed to execute each of the various changes to the chapel environment appropriate for that season.  Each season thus brings with it an exceptional opportunity for participating members of the parish to deepen their experience of the life of Christ being celebrated during a particular season.  At the same time, those carrying out the changes are gifting their fellow parishioners with the aesthetic elements that bring them closer to the Savior’s time on earth.

Want to get involved? Contact Millie Richardson.

When someone marries in the parish, we help to coordinate the Mass – to consult with the couple, to coordinate with the photographer, to decorate the chapel, to arrange the music, to lead the rehearsal – basically, to help assure the Mass is beautiful and respectful.

When somebody dies in the parish, we help to coordinate the Mass – to organize with the funeral home, to accept the flowers, to decorate the chapel, to identify liturgical ministers and altar servers – basically, to help assure the ceremony is beautiful and solemn.

Questions? Contact Teresa Mixco.

The linen committee launders and irons the small altar linens used by the priest and Eucharistic ministers at Mass.  Soiled linens and towels are picked up from the sacristy after Mass each weekend and returned the following weekend by the person assigned to that month – clean and ready to use.

Questions? Contact Roselee McNamara.