Liturgical Ministries

We welcome any member of our parish who would like to serve Christ and the community as a volunteer in one of the following areas of Liturgical Ministry:

• Altar Server
• Usher
• Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
• Sacristans
• Lector 
• Sacred Linens Caretaker

The altar server assists the priest in the processions, with the Missal, and on the altar in many ways throughout the liturgical rites of each Mass and other sacred liturgies. Children who have reached the 4th grade and have received their First Holy Communion and adults are welcome to become part of this ministry.  Training takes place at various times during the year.

Adult Servers - What you need to know: 

• Adult servers help mainly at Funerals, Eucharistic Adoration, 6:30 am Mass, and other special occasions
• Servers are required to arrive about 15 minutes before Mass, serve during the Mass, and stay about 5 to 10 minutes after Mass to help put items away

• Youth at the end of 4th grade will be offered the opportunity through the school or through their Christian Formation class
• Training sessions are provided by the priest and required before a youth can start this ministry
• Servers are required to arrive about 15 minutes before Mass, serve during the Mass, and stay about 5 to 10 minutes after Mass to help put items away
• Youth usually serve once or twice a month

Ushers perform various tasks to help make the worship experience go smoothly: helping people find seats, taking up the collection, providing guidance about the facilities, distributing bulletins after liturgy 

What you need to know: 

• Looking for friendly people with a hospitable heart and a willingness to come to Mass early
• We need 4-5 ushers for each Mass, so if you are already attending Mass, this is an excellent way to serve
• You can sign up for the Mass you usually attend

The purpose of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion  is to assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion during Eucharistic liturgies, and to tend to the care of the sacred vessels following the Eucharistic celebration. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may also bring the Body of Christ to the sick and homebound.

Requirements for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: 

• Diocesan Workshop: In the Diocese of Madison, it is required that Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion attend a diocesan training workshop, in addition to any parish-specific training provided by the parish Liturgist or other qualified person.
• Must be Catholic in good standing and be at least 16 years of age.
• Must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)

Sacristans offer behind-the-scenes support to the priest for set-up before and cleanup after Holy Mass 

What you need to know: 

• Prepare the Altar for all worship services, including Mass, weddings, baptisms, and funerals, with the appropriate vessels, wine and bread
• Sacristans arrive 30 minutes before Mass and assist with clean-up after Mass
• Contacts the priest or liturgist when supplies are running low

Through the lector’s proclamation, the Word of God is brought to life. Intimate knowledge gained from time spent reading and rehearsing an assigned reading allows a lector to more effectively bring each listener into the heart of the message. A clear voice, well-timed phrases, proper pronunciation, and the use of appropriate vocal inflection are key elements for well-executed proclamations of the word of God at Masses and other sacred liturgies throughout the church year.  A brief training session is necessary before proclaiming the Word. 

Requirements for Lectors: 

• Should have a good speaking voice, a love and respect for the Word of God and the desire to share it with others
• Must spend time before the liturgy reviewing scriptures that will be read, in order to be able to proclaim them effectively

The various cloths used throughout the Mass all require special care, and this unique ministry offers those who wish to offer themselves in this “hidden ministry” the opportunity to assist our worshipping community in a very necessary way. The purificators, lavabo cloth and corporal used by the priest, deacon and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are collected for washing and pressing after each celebration of the Eucharist. 

If you are interested in any of these ministries, please contact: