Being a Minister at Mass

  Our prayer at Mass is everyone’s prayer. At different times we call upon people to help lead the community in prayer. Perhaps it is serving as a Greeter, welcoming all those who come to worship. Perhaps it is being a Lector, proclaiming the Sacred Words of Scripture for all in the assembly to hear and take to heart. It might be serving as a Cantor, helping the community to life their voices in song to the Lord or maybe even singing with the Choir,. Or it may be serving as a Eucharistic Minister, sharing the Body and Blood of Christ with the assembly. Perhaps it could be serving as a Gift Bearer, bringing forth the gifts of bread and wine and the gift of our tithe (the collection.). Perhaps it is serving as an Usher, helping to collect the tithing offerings of the community each, or being an Altar Server, preparing things for Mass and cleaning things  after Mass.

        Who are these people? Actually we all are. Some of us may have particular talents in one area or another, but in a larger sense, we are all called upon to help lead the community in prayer.  Who is worthy to do any of these ministries? In one sense, none of us are. We are all imperfect, we all have our own areas of sinfulness. In another sense, we are all worthy. Since Jesus came to call people who were in need of healing, we are all equally worthy (or unworthy) to help make Jesus present in our common prayer.

          Perhaps you have thought about serving in one of the different ministries at Mass and was just waiting for someone to ask you. Maybe you never even thought about being a minister at Mass. Perhaps now God is gently inviting you to share . Whatever the case, I am asking you to think and pray about this. How might God be calling you to help our community pray at Mass?

 

CANTORS

      Cantors lead the congregation in singing at the weekend Masses, Holy Day Masses and other special occasions. Contact Kristan Gilles for more details.

CHOIR

      St. Joseph’s choir accompanies the 8:00 a.m. Sunday mass throughout the year, as well as singing during Christmas and Holy Week celebrations. This group meets Tuesday evenings to practice. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of music ability. Organ and other musical instruments as available accompany the group. Contact Kristan Gilles for more details.

      We are always seeking people who have special musical ability and play musical instruments (guitar, bass, keyboard, and other musical instrument players and singers) to enhance our prayer at Mass. Contact Kristan Gilles, our Directory of Liturgy,  for more details.

 

LECTORS

      Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Masses on weekends, Holy Days and other special occasions. Training is provided for all lectors. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Gene Schroeder for more details.

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

     Eucharistic Ministers serve by distributing Holy Communion at Masses on weekends, Holy Days and other special occasions. New ministers are trained and commissioned. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Schroeder  for more details.

 

USHERS

      Ushers assist people in finding a seat and take up the collection at all Masses on the weekends, Holy Days and other special occasions. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Schroeder  for more details.

 

GREETERS

      Greeters stand at the entrances of Church and welcome those who come for the Masses on weekends, Holy Days and other special occasions. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Schroeder  for more details.

 

ALTAR SERVERS

      Altar Servers assist the celebrant at all Masses during the weekends, Holy Days and other special occasions. Servers may be either boys or girls and are usually in Grades 4-8. New servers are trained each year. High School students are also invited to serve but may want to consider being a Lector or Eucharistic Minister instead. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Schroeder

 

GIFT BEARERS

      Gift Bearers take up the gifts at all Masses during the weekends, Holy Days and other special occasions. The rotating schedule is planned in advance. While gift bearers are scheduled, any member of the congregation is invited to serve as a gift bearer at Mass if the scheduled people do not show up. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Schroeder for more details.