Altar Servers
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 assist the priests and deacons in the liturgy of the mass. They are always attentive to the priest and deacons so the liturgy can proceed smoothly and reverently. Servers respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation. They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy.
Training sessions take place in the Fall and Spring of every year. Please check the bulletin for dates and times or call the parish office for more information.
Reader
The readings are an element of the great importance in the Liturgy. The Lector assists the congregation in meditating and reflecting on the word of God in both the Old and New Testament
The lector, from the ambo, proclaims the readings which precede the Gospel. In the absence of a psalmist, the reader may also proclaim the Responsorial Psalm after the First Reading.
In the absence of a Deacon, the lector may announce the intentions of the Universal Prayer from the ambo.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EM)
In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162)."
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. Should there be any mishap--as when, for example, the consecrated wine is spilled from the chalice--then the affected "area . . . should be washed and the water poured into the sacrarium [ GIRM, 280]." (NDRHC, 29).
Ministers of Hospitality
This ministry consists of two specific roles; that of Usher and Greeter. Together, they serve as Ministers of Hospitality during Mass on Saturday, Sunday and Holy Days. These ministers strive to ensure the solemnity and tranquility of the liturgy. Their duties include: (1) greeting and welcoming parishioners and visitors (2) providing assistance in finding a seat for Mass (3) assist with the offertory collection (4) direct those who will be presenting the gifts at offertory (5) direct the congregation for the reception of Holy Communion (6) distribute weekly parish bulletin after Mass or order of worship before Mass.
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