Liturgical Ministries

LECTORS

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.” (John 1:1)

In the Readings of God’s Word, the treasures of the Bible are opened and spread before the faithful. Proclaiming Sacred Scripture is unlike other public speaking. Lectors need to proclaim with deep respect in a clear, audible and reverent voice the Word of God. From the ambo, the Lector reads the First and Second Readings that precede the Gospel. In the absence of a psalmist, the reader will also proclaim the Responsorial Psalm after the First Reading.

LECTOR QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must be fully initiated and active in the Catholic Church.

Adult or young adult (who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation).

A person in full communion with the Catholic Church.

A person serious about the practice of their faith.

All Candidates will receive training in order to become Ministers of the Word.

Eucharistic ministers

Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

(Luke 22:19-20)

If Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are required by pastoral need, the priest may call upon members of the faithful to assist in the reverent distribution of Holy Communion.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine. Individuals are invited by the Pastor to become trained in this ministry.

ALTAR SERVER

"But you must fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with your whole heart; keep in mind the great things He has done among you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)

Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received Holy Communion for the first time and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy. Servers will receive proper formation before they begin to function.

MUSIC MINISTRY

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.

~Psalm 57: 7, 9-11

The role of music should be to serve the liturgy, to enhance it as a beautiful expression of prayer, without dominating it. The music within the Mass should lead the faithful to the presence of God, enhancing the Mass by drawing the community together and helping them connect with God through song.

This ministry is rooted in faith and prayer, not performance. As musicians we are called to use our gifts to help the gathered assembly participate more fully in the liturgy and grow in relationship with God.