Worship/Liturgical Ministry

By reason of our baptism, all are called to participate in the ministries of the liturgy, offering service to the Christian community.  Some ministries are very visible to the community; others are more behind-the-scenes. Training is provided for these ministries.

Liturgical Ministry

Eucharistic Minister
Eucharistic Ministers offer the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the form of bread and wine to the assembly during the communion rite.

Lector
The Lector proclaims the first and second Scripture readings and carries the Book of the Gospels in the entrance procession.

Commentator
This reader proclaims the general intercessions, also known as the prayers of the faithful or the petitions. 

Cross Bearer
The Cross Bearer leads our entrance and exit processions through the assembled community. To carry the Processional Cross of the Holy Spirit is a special honor.

Gift Bearers
Families and/or individuals bring up the gifts - the bread, wine and offerings for the poor - to the altar during the preparation of the gifts.

Mass Servers
This is a ministry of service to the presider during mass. Parent and child teams are welcome.

Sacristan
This service ministry involves the preparation and clean up of the bread, wine, and vessels used during mass.

Care of Linens
This service ministry involves picking up, laundering, and returning the linens used during weekly masses.

Hospitality Ministry

Door Greeters
An important ministry of hospitality to all who walk through the church doors. As door greeters, you offer assistance with opening entrance doors for those in need and offer a friendly welcome to all who enter the building.

Pass Out Programs and Bulletins

This ministry of hospitality is open to families and/or individuals.  Those who participate stand at the 4 doors of the worship area before Mass to greet all who are coming to Mass as you pass out worship aids.  After Mass you stand at the church doors to pass out bulletins.

Usher
This ministry involves helping people find seating, taking up the collection, and attending to any "behind the scenes" issues, situations or difficulties.

Welcome Station

Participants in this ministry staff a welcome area where parishioners and visitors can find information and ask questions about the parish.  Those who take on this ministry offer a warm greeting to all. 

Wine and Cheese

Once monthly, following the Saturday 4:30 mass parishioners gather for refreshments and socializing.  Responsibilities for ministers in this area include set up, serving, clean up and hosting.

Donut Sunday

Once monthly, following the Sunday morning masses, parishioner gather for donuts, coffee, juice and social time. Those who minister in this area receive kitchen training, make coffee, set up, clean up and host the event.

Children's Ministry

Nursery Care
A ministry of those parents who have children in the nursery. It is available during the Sunday morning liturgies. Commitment and availability is determined by the number of parents who contribute to this service.

Children's Liturgy of the Word
A ministry to 6 to 9 year olds, led by high school students and adult volunteers of the parish during the first part of the Mass. Volunteers commit to leading this experience once every two to three months.

Nursing Home Ministry

Ministers to the Nursing Homes are providing a ministry of care and are commissioned by the parish to bring the compassion and communion of the church to the sick and the homebound. This involves the visiting with and the praying with those in the local nursing homes to whom communion is brought. Holy Spirit serves: Maple Manor Nursing Home, Rochester Healthcare West, Sunrise Cottages, and The Homestead. These ministers of care are needed on Sunday morning to and during the week. Training is provided.

Sunday Morning: Following the 8:15 A.M. liturgy, ministers are sent from the liturgy to take the Word of God as well as the Eucharist and to offer the affection of our parish community. Time commitment is generally about one hour.

Weekday: This ministry offers an individual some flexibility as to when a visit is made to one of the nursing homes. And, depending on the nursing home, options are available as to how ministry is done, e.g., gathering a group, one-on-one, regular time each month, praying the rosary as well as bringing communion, etc. Time commitment is about one hour.

Music Ministry

Music ministers encourage and invite everyone to participate in our sung prayer as we worship together. Singing in a music group, playing an instrument, ministering as a cantor or accompanist, or leading a music group are a few examples of ways to participate. Time commitment varies , depending on the group, and could be short term, occasional, or long term.

Church Decorating

Coordinated by the Liturgy Commission, parishioners help in creating a warm and inviting worship space, one that highlights the nature of the different liturgical seasons. A variety of skills are needed including a willing hand (to iron, lift, hang, etc.), carpentry skills, seamstresses, or a desire to help as needed. Many decorators are needed to help before Christmas and on Holy Saturday morning (before Easter). Commitment varies from one liturgical season to another but generally about 3 or 4 hours an evening, 3 to 4 times a year.

For more information or to participate in any of these ministries, contact Mary Margaret or submit Ministry Commitment Form.