Liturgy

Fr. Chester P. Snyder

“For the liturgy, ‘through which the work of our redemption is accomplished,’ most of all in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church. It is of the essence of the Church that she be both human and divine, visible and yet invisibly equipped, eager to act and yet intent on contemplation, present in this world and yet not at home in it; and she is all these things in such wise that in her the human is directed and subordinated to the divine, the visible likewise to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present world to that city yet to come, which we seek. While the liturgy daily builds up those who are within into a holy temple of the Lord, into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ, at the same time it marvelously strengthens their power to preach Christ, and thus shows forth the Church to those who are outside as a sign lifted up among the nations under which the scattered children of God may be gathered together, until there is one sheepfold and one shepherd.” - Vatican II,  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #2.

ALTAR SERVERS

Mission Statement: To assist at Mass and other liturgies, and to appreciate their service as a means of integrating the Mass into their spiritual lives.

Boys and girls who have completed at least the fifth grade as of June in the school year are eligible to be altar servers. New servers are trained during the spring and begin serving in the summer.

MUSIC MINISTRY: CHOIR & CANTORS

Mission Statement: To assist at Mass and other liturgies with sacred song, helping the congregation to raise their voices in worship of God and for the sanctification of His people.

Adult choir is open to all parishioners, high school students included. No audition is required. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00 PM, in either the school music room or the church. Choir rehearsals start in September and continue through mid-May. Adult choir participates in the 9:30 AM or 11:15 AM Sunday liturgy, in addition to Eucharist Devotion, Christmas, Holy Thursday, and Easter Vigil. The choir also participates in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Cantors serve at weekend liturgies. Auditions are required and a working knowledge of music is helpful, although not necessary. Cantors are scheduled for a weekend liturgy two or three times a month.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

Mission Statement: To assist the priests and deacons with the distribution of Holy Communion during the celebration of Mass and to assist with Holy Communion to the sick in their homes, in hospitals, and other care facilities.

These are parishioners who are at least seniors in high school, married or single, who because of their love of the Church, their love of the Eucharist, their exemplary Christian living, and their willingness to offer service to the Church have been recommended by the parish priest to the Bishop. The Bishop mandates them to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion. Training sessions are provided.

READERS

Mission Statement: To enhance participation in the liturgy by drawing the parish community closer to the scriptures through the proclamation of the Word of God.

Parishioners who are able to proclaim the Word of God in an audible, intelligent, and sensible manner are invited to serve as readers at Mass. Training sessions are provided.

USHERS

Mission Statement: To serve our Lord, our priests, and our Church, and to be a center of service for all that we welcome into our church each Sunday in the name of Jesus.

The men and women who serve as ushers perform very important services. Their duty is to assist and provide guidance to parishioners during the celebration of the Mass and other devotions. This involves greeting people arriving at church, helping seat people at crowded Masses, directing the procession at the preparation of gifts, taking up collections, directing communion processions, passing out bulletins and responding to emergencies.