PASTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Catholic Pastoral Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of lay members who advise the Catholic Chaplain on the spiritual life, mission, and pastoral needs of the military faith community.
The PAC also helps provide continuity and stability in ministry; a structured way to hear and respond to community needs; and supports the Chaplain who is serving a large and diverse population.
The St. Martin of Tours Catholic Pastoral Advisory Council is a team of trusted advisors who help the Chaplain understand the community and guide the mission of the Church in a dynamic military environment.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) is a trained and commissioned lay person who assists in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass or brings Holy Communion to those who cannot attend.
“Extraordinary” indicates that this role is not the primary one. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are Bishops, Priests and Deacons. EMHCs serve when there is a need, such as large congregations or ministry to the sick and homebound.
An EMHC may assist in distributing Holy Communion during Mass; bring Communion to the sick, homebound, hospitalized, or deployed; and help ensure the reverent and orderly sharing of the Eucharist.
EMHCs are practicing Catholics in good standing, properly trained in reverence and procedure, and commissioned by the Bishop of the jurisdictional diocese.
Saint Martin of Tours Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are faithful lay assistants who help share the Eucharist with others - especially when there is a need - so that more people can receive Christ reverently and regularly.
LECTOR
A Catholic Lector is a lay minister entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass.
A lector proclaims the First and Second Readings from Sacred Scripture (not the Gospel), leads the Responsorial Psalm if no psalmist is present, announces the Prayers of the Faithful, and helps the congregation listen and reflect on God’s Word.
Lectors are practicing Catholics in good standing, comfortable speaking clearly in front of others, properly trained and blessed for this ministry.
The Lector’s role is more than reading - it is a ministry of proclamation. Through prayerful preparation and reverent delivery, the Lector helps bring Scripture to life for the faithful.
The Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Lectors are a voice of God’s Word at Mass, helping bring God's Word to life for the gathered community.
USHER
A Catholic usher is a lay minister who provides hospitality and practical assistance during Mass and other liturgical celebrations, helping create a welcoming and orderly environment for worship.
Ushers greet parishioners and visitors as they arrive, help people find seating, especially during crowded liturgies, take up the offertory collection, guide the Communion procession so it flows smoothly, assists those with special needs (elderly, disabled, families with children), and offers general help during emergencies or unusual situations.
Ushers are practicing Catholics or active members of the community, friendly, attentive, and dependable, and willing to serve in a visible, service-oriented role.
Ushers are often the first point of contact for people coming to Mass. Their presence helps foster a sense of welcome, reverence, and community, allowing others to focus on prayer.
The Saint Martin of Tours Usher is a minister of hospitality, helping ensure that everyone feels welcomed, comfortable, and able to worship with ease.
ALTAR SERVER
A Catholic Altar Server is a lay minister - often a youth, but also adults - who assists the Priest and Deacon during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical rites and celebrations.
Altar servers help the liturgy unfold smoothly and reverently by carrying the cross and candles in processions, assisting in preparing the altar and sacred vessels, holding the Roman Missal for the Priest when needed, ringing bells at key moments, assisting with incense when it is used, and supporting the clergy at the altar throughout the Mass.
Altar servers are practicing Catholics who have received First Holy Communion (youth) or all the Sacraments of Initiation (those of Confirmation age), properly trained in the roles and movements of the Mass, and reverent, attentive, and dependable.
Serving at the altar is a privileged and prayerful role. It allows for a closer participation in the liturgy and often deepens a person’s faith - sometimes even inspiring vocations to the priesthood or religious life.
A Saint Martin of Tours Altar Server is a helper at the altar, assisting the Priest to ensure the Mass is celebrated with dignity and reverence.
CHOIR
A Catholic Choir Member is a lay person who serves in the music ministry of the Church, helping lead the congregation in sung prayer during Mass and other liturgical celebrations.
Choir members support worship by singing hymns, psalms, and acclamations during Mass; leading and encouraging the congregation’s participation in music; learning and rehearsing sacred music appropriate to the liturgical season; and supporting special liturgies such as Christmas, Holy Week, funerals, and weddings.
Choir members are practicing Catholics or active parish members, individuals with a willingness to sing and commit to rehearsals, and open to learning sacred music and growing in liturgical understanding.
Music is a powerful form of prayer. Choir members help the community pray more deeply and beautifully, giving voice to the Church’s worship.
A Saint Martin of Tours Choir Member is a musical minister, helping lead the community in prayer through song.
MEMBER AT LARGE
A Catholic “Member at Large” is a person who serves on a parish council or committee - such as a Pastoral Advisory Council (PAC), while being assigned to represent a specific ministry or holding a specific ministry position.
A member at large contributes by representing the broader parish community, a group or ministry; offering input, ideas, and feedback on parish life and pastoral priorities; participating in meetings, discussions, and discernment; and supporting communication between leadership and parishioners.
Members at large are practicing Catholics in good standing or active parish members, active and engaged in parish life, and chosen or elected for their wisdom, perspective, and willingness to serve.
A Saint Martin of Tours Member at Large is a representative of the parish, offering insight and guidance to help leadership serve the entire community well.
CATECHIST
A Catholic Catechist is a person called and trained to teach and share the faith of the Church, helping others grow in their understanding of Jesus Christ and Catholic teachings.
Catechists serve the Church by teaching the faith to children, youth, or adults (often in Religious Education or OCIA programs); preparing individuals for the Sacraments (First Communion, Confirmation, etc.); explaining Scripture, Church teachings, and traditions in an understandable way; creating a prayerful and welcoming environment for learning; and serving as a witness of faith through their words and actions.
Catechists are practicing Catholics in good standing, faithful to Church teaching and committed to ongoing formation, and willing to prepare lessons, pray, and accompany others in their faith journey while pursuing and embracing their own faith knowledge.
The Church considers Catechists essential to its mission of evangelization. They help pass on the faith from one generation to the next.
A Saint Martin of Tours Catechist is a teacher and witness of the faith, helping others come to know, love, and follow Christ.
CATHOLIC WOMEN OF THE CHAPEL
The Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) is a faith-based ministry within U.S. military chapel communities that supports the spiritual growth, fellowship, and service of women connected to the military.
CWOC serves the chapel community by providing spiritual formation through Bible studies, prayer groups, and retreats; building fellowship among military spouses and women, helping them form supportive friendships - especially important in the transient military lifestyle; supporting chapel life, including volunteering for liturgies, events, and religious education programs; engaging in outreach and service, such as helping families in need, supporting deployed service members, and participating in charitable projects; and mentoring and encouraging faith, helping women grow as disciples and leaders within the Church.
CWOC is open to Active Duty women, Military spouses, Retirees, Veterans, and other women connected to the chapel community.
CATHOLIC MEN OF THE CHAPEL
The Catholic Men of the Chapel (CMOC) is a ministry within a military chapel community that supports the spiritual growth, fellowship, and service of men, helping them live out their Catholic faith in the context of military life.
The CMOC fosters spiritual formation through bible studies, prayer groups, men’s retreats, and faith discussions; builds brotherhood and support, creating strong bonds among men facing the unique challenges of military life; serves the chapel community by volunteering for liturgies, parish events, and maintenance or service projects; engages in outreach, supporting families in need, mentoring youth, and assisting fellow service members - especially during deployments; encourages leadership and discipleship, helping men grow as husbands, fathers, leaders, and faithful witnesses.
CMOC is open to Active Duty men, Military spouses, Retirees, Veterans, and other men connected to the chapel community.
The Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Men of the Chapel is a brotherhood of faith and service, helping men grow spiritually, support one another, and serve their chapel and military community.