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Liturgical Ministry

Liturgical ministry is an excellent opportunity to fulfill your baptismal call of service to one another. Our liturgies utilize the talents and gifts that God has given this community to the fullest extent. Whether participation is through “behind the scenes” preparation and planning or through a public role of service within the Mass, parishioner contributions help our liturgies to be truly life-giving celebrations. Please prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries.

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If you would like to consider learning more about, or joining the Liturgical Minister team, please contact the Parish Office to submit your information and one of our Liturgical Minister coordinators will contact you.
 

 

Worship Committee 

This group creates a quality and reverent environment for worship and implements liturgical guidelines.  

Commitment:  Participate in a monthly meeting.

  

Sacristans 

Set up the vessels, hosts, and wine for Mass under the direction of the priest or deacon.  

Commitment:  Serve approximately once per month.  Must attend periodic in-services that review and update this ministry.

 

Communion Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers assist with distributing the Body and Blood at Mass.  All members are approved, trained and commissioned.  

Commitment:  Serve approximately once per month.  Must attend periodic in-services that review and update this ministry.

 

Communion to the Homebound

Deliver communion to the homebound parishioners.  These Eucharistic ministers are given training and experience in pastoral care.  

 

Song Leaders/Cantors

Lead the community in singing the congregation’s part in the liturgy and lead the responsorial psalm.  

Commitment:  Must know and practice the appointed songs for the liturgy.  Requires rehearsal during the week prior to liturgy.  Must arrive 15 minutes before liturgy.

 

 

Musicians

Organists/Pianists – Lead the assembly in song.  Good musical skills are required, but intermediate and beginning musicians are included at appropriate times so they will develop their musical and leadership skills.  

Commitment:  Must know and practice the appointed songs for the liturgy.  Requires rehearsal during the week prior to the liturgy.  Must arrive 15 minutes before liturgy.    

 

Mass Choir Members

Sing at Masses and liturgical events throughout the year.  Various singing groups are available – various ages, size, and style.  

Commitment:  Must know and practice the appointed songs for the liturgy.  Requires rehearsal during the week prior to liturgy. Must arrive 15 minutes before liturgy.  

 

Funeral Choir Members

Gather to sing for funerals.  

Commitment:  All members receive a call prior to the funeral and others may join them for a particular funeral.

 

Ushers

Greet parishioners, guide the collection baskets, assist parishioners requests and seating, and perform an accurate Mass attendance count.

Commitment:  Usher approximately once per month.  Must attend periodic in-services that review and update this ministry.

 

Hospitality Greeters

Assist with greeting parishioners at the church entrances. 

Commitment:  Greet approximately once per month.  Must attend periodic in-services that review and update this ministry. 

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Servers 

Assist the presider at Mass.  Training begins in fifth grade.

Commitment:  Serve approximately once per month.  Must arrive 15 minutes before liturgy and attend periodic in-services that review and update this ministry.

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Catechist and Assistant

Teach scripture to children ages 3 thru 8.  Proclaim the scripture for the Sunday and discuss it in terms they can understand. Assistants are also needed to help children with projects.

Commitment:  Facilitate approximately once a month.  Must attend periodic in-services that review and update this ministry.  See bulletin for times.  

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Seasonal Decoration Helper

Help the environment/décor committee in decorating for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.  

 

Prayer Chain

Through a phone tree, volunteers are asked to pray for specific people and intentions. 

 

Rosary Leader

Lead the Rosary before Mass in May and October and at other times upon request.

 

Sister Sandy’s Prayer Shawl Ministry

Parishioners who like to knit or crochet work on projects such as lap robes and shawls.  They then give these projects to people who are ill, grieving, or in transition.  They also make baby blankets for every child baptized at St. Nicholas Parish.  The members meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm in the Parish Office Notre Dame Room. 

 

Widow’s Group

This is an opportunity for widows to come together to support each other.  The sessions include input, sharing, prayer, refreshments, and a fun activity.  Sessions are held on the last Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm in the Parish Office Notre Dame Room.

 

Office Helpers

Clerical Help – Assist the Parish office in clerical duties including folding, stapling and collating.

Volunteer Secretary – Answer the phone and take messages when the Parish secretary is not available.

Phone Caller – Call multiple parishioners for various parish functions.

Photograph/Video Events – Take photographs or videos at various parish activities and functions.

 

General Guidelines for Liturgical Ministers at Mass

  1. Scheduling – The schedule for Liturgical Ministers is published in the bulletin. You may serve in more than one ministry.

  2. Dress and Appearance – General appearance, apparel, and accessories worn during the liturgy should reflect the dignity of the role of one called upon to assist in the sacred liturgy. Accordingly, liturgical ministers should dress nicely and modestly. The following dress code has been established for all Liturgical Ministers

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Liturgical Minister Dress Code

Those who serve in a Liturgical Ministry capacity, i.e. Extraordinary Minister, Lector, Usher or Greeter, and Music Ministry will be required to adhere to the specified dress code that has been established and previously amended. The established Dress Code is that of acceptable attire as would be found in a business setting, i.e, Business Casual. This would mean for gentlemen dress slacks and a polo-style collar shirt, button shirt, sweater.  For ladies this would mean slacks (full length), dress, skirt (not mini), blouse and/or sweater (not low cut).The original Dress Code was amended, and that amendment eliminated the requirement of suit and/or coat and tie for the gentlemen; dress, dress skirt, dress slacks, blazer for the ladies. While the amendment eliminated these particular articles of clothing as a requirement, it did not state that these were not acceptable, rather, it was understood these would still be the preferred attire. Dress sandals were also accepted as an approved style of shoe for ladies, though not necessarily preferred.  The dress code requirement specifically prohibits ministers from serving in a Liturgical Minister capacity while wearing the following types/styles of clothing, including, but not limited to: shorts, jeans (of any kind), t-shirts (with or without sayings, etc.), capris (of any style or length), flip flops (of any kind), tennis shoes, spaghetti-strap tops, strapless tops, shirts or blouses tied so as to expose bare skin, any kind of excessively tight clothing, etc. The only exception to this was the servers who are allowed to wear shorts because they also wear a full-length alb which covers them to the floor.  Nothing a minister wears should distract from the community’s prayer. Proper dress and appearance whenever one attends liturgy is an important commitment of a liturgical minister. All ministers will maintain a level of reverence and decorum in their Liturgical Minister’s attire or they will not be allowed to minister.

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  1. Arrival Promptness & Check In – Most liturgical ministers should arrive at church no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of liturgy. Altar servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Hospitality Ushers/Greeters, Catechists, etc., are to check in in the Sacristy. If you are late, please understand that the Sacristan may have already found a replacement for you.

  2. Absences and Substitutes – When you know in advance that you will be absent, the preference is that you arrange a substitute. If it is a last minute need, at the very least, inform your ministry coordinator so they can advise the Sacristan who can plan for your absence.

  3. Prayer before Liturgy – As liturgical ministers, much of our focus is on tasks and procedures that are important to the liturgical celebration but potentially can distract from our own worship. This time of prayer can help us to re-focus our mind and heart on the presence of Jesus in the liturgy: in the person of his minister, the priest; in his word, the holy Scriptures proclaimed; in the elements of bread and wine, the Eucharist; and in those gathered in his name, the assembly.

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