PROCLAIMING | CELEBRATING | TEACHING | SERVING

Liturgical Ministry

Usher/Minister Of Hospitality

Ushers are asked to make all welcome. In addition they help people find seats, take up the collection and transport it to the bank, with another Usher, after Holy Mass. Ushers are assigned for a month at a time and three to four crews rotate.

Song Leader

“Persons designated for the ministry of Psalmist and Cantor should possess the ability for singing and a facility in correct pronunciation and diction…to promote the singing of the liturgical assembly.” (“STL, Music in Divine Worship” issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Song Leaders are asked to come prepared to lead the congregation in singing the hymns and psalms at Mass.

Musician

The primary role of organists and pianists, and other instrumentalists with the “requisite talent and training” is to lead and sustain the singing of the assembly and cantor (STL, Music in Divine Worship).

Lector / Proclaimer Of The General Intercessions

Canon 230 §2 “Lay people can receive a temporary assignment to the role of lector in liturgical actions. Likewise, all lay people can exercise the roles of commentator, cantor or other such, in accordance with the law.”

The position of Lector/Proclaimer is treated as one role. People are rotated between the two segments so that one time a person may be reading Scripture at Holy Mass and the next time they would read the before Mass announcements and intercessions. A good resource book entitled “Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers” is made available to all Lector/Proclaimers at the beginning of each Advent each year so that they can prepare to proclaim the readings.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Canon 230 §3 “Where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, … exercise the ministry of the word, …preside over liturgical prayers… and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law.”

Before a new Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is scheduled, he/she must receive clearance for this ministry role from the Parochial Administrator and be trained by one of the priests.  The Diocese of Madison requires that all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion receive training for this ministry role.  

Sacristan

Sacristans assist the priest and liturgical ministers before and after Masses. They are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the start of Holy Mass to make sure all other Liturgical Ministers have arrived, lights and sound system are turned on,  all of the books needed for Holy Mass are set, the credence table is properly set etc.   Any new sacristan must receive training from our priest in charge of this ministry role prior to being scheduled.

Acolyte

Acolytes are fourth grade and older, open to both males and females, including adults.  Their primary role is to assist the priest-presider throughout Holy Mass.   A new acolyte must go through a training session prior to being scheduled for the first time.