Liturgical Ministries
Liturgy is the work of God’s assembled people. Liturgy done well nourishes our faith, strengthens and sustains us. It prepares us to meet the joys and challenges of life in a Christ-like manner. All of us have certain jobs to do when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. The important job of full, conscious and active participation belongs to the entire assembly. However, some in the assembly are called to participate in other ways as well. At St. Paul Parish, the following opportunities to serve are open to interested individuals:
Altar Servers
Altar servers are boys and girls who assist the priest at the altar at weekend liturgies. New servers must attend a training session which includes information on the Mass and their specific duties. They are then scheduled to serve as their services are needed. Ongoing training sessions are held at least once a year. Servers must be in the sixth grade or older to participate in this ministry.
Extraordinary Ministers
Extraordinary Ministers are men and women who assist the priest in the distribution of communion. These ministers may also carry the Eucharist to the sick and home-bound. Ministers attend an initial training session that includes information on the history and theology of Eucharist as well as the practicalities of their ministry. Ministers serve as their services are needed. Extraordinary Ministers must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, be at least sixteen years old and be active members of the parish.
Lectors
Lectors have the important job of proclaiming the Word of God to our gathered assembly. These men and women should have a deep love of sacred scripture and the ability to proclaim it well. Initial and on-going training is provided. Lectors are scheduled to read as their services are needed.
Hospitality Ministers
Liturgy flourishes in a climate of hospitality. Hospitality Ministers are men, women and families who ensure that our assembly is made to feel welcome and comfortable. Ministers also take up the collection and assist in guiding the communion procession. A Hospitality Minister should be a “spirit-filled” person of prayer and must enjoy people. Ministers attend an initial training session. They are then scheduled to serve as their services are needed.
Cantor
The cantor leads the sung prayer of the assembly, primarily through the singing of the responsorial psalm. Cantors at St. Paul also lead and encourage the assembly in singing the hymns and other parts of the Mass. Cantors are men and women of faith. Their voices are of soloist quality, though they need not be professionally trained. Training is provided on an individual basis as necessary and rehearsals are held approximately every six weeks.
Choir Members
New members are always welcome in our choirs. Adult Choir members must be at least sixteen years old. Practices are held weekly from September through May. The adult choir sings at the 9:30 Mass, usually bi-weekly (more often during the seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter). Youth Choir members are young men and women of high-school and college age. At this time, the Youth Choir forms and sings for Christmas and Holy Week. Contemporary Choir also met weekly and sings on various scheduled weekends; however, they are not meeting at this time.
Instrumentalists
A variety of musicians such as brass players, string players, wind players, guitarists and drummers are needed to accompany our choirs. The youth choir, especially, needs instrumentalists on a regular basis. Instrumentalists enhance our Adult Choir on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. Organists and pianists are also needed and should have some knowledge of the role of music in liturgy. Their playing must be of a quality able to accompany and lead the assembly.
Sacristans
Our sacristans are a dedicated group of women who work behind the scenes. Their duties include laundering and pressing the altar linens, purificators and towels, maintaining the candles, cleaning and polishing the various articles used in church, and making sure the priests and servers albs are clean and pressed. Many hands make light work. If you have an hour or two to spare during the week, these ladies would love to have you join them.
Art and Environment
Individuals with an eye for color, texture, form and beauty and a talent for creating beautiful things are needed in this special group. The art and environment committee is responsible for appropriately decorating our church for the various seasons.