Liturgical Ministries          

Liturgical Ministries challenges us to new levels of spiritual depth and understanding by living out our Baptismal promise to serve and build up the Body of Christ. Training is provided for all areas.
§             Eucharistic Ministers
§             Lectors
§             Altar Servers
§             Hospitality/Welcoming
§              Music Ministry

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers are special ministers of the Body of Christ and the Precious Blood. Ministers may take Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass.

Lectors

In the liturgy God is speaking to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his gospel!"
-- Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Liturgy, 7, 33

What Lectors Do...
Lectors read the Word of God at Masses and other Liturgies. They share with the priests the task of making the Word of God come alive for the parishioners at Mass.
Qualities of a Good Lector...
• Knowledge, appreciation and love for the scriptures
• The maturity and ability to proclaim the scriptures with poise and confidence
• An understanding of the role of scripture in daily life, the liturgy, the
sacraments, and the liturgical seasons
• Good public speaking skills
• Ability to convey warmth, to gain and keep the congregation's attention, and to motivate others through speech
• A commitment to live the message of the scriptures that is being proclaimed
How To Prepare...
You should have been given a Lector's Workbook which contains the Readings and Gospels for the current year. (If you don't have one contact the Rectory.) This Workbook contains some very helpful notes about the actual Readings and Gospels as well as tips for good Lecturing.
The best way is to practice. Go over the Readings at least four times during the week before you read at Mass. The Readings are in the Workbooks. There is no substitute for being familiar with the Readings.
During Mass, a Lectionary is used for the Readings by Lectors, while the Priest reads the Gospel from the Book of Gospels.
The Prayers of the Faithful and the Announcements (if any) are in a  3-ring binder.
While preparing, use the Workbook. Be sure to read the two Readings and the Gospel. The first and second Readings have been chosen according to their relationship with the Gospel. Identify the type of passage you are to read. Is it a story? Is it a dialogue between different characters or voices? Is it a prophecy, a letter, a series of laws, a parable, or a song?
Use the Workbook to check the pronunciation of unfamiliar names in the scriptures. The following web site is also a good resource for Biblical pronunciations: http://netministries.org/bbasics/bbasics.html

Prepare well. Practice reading aloud in front of a mirror or for family or friends.
Read intelligently, in a lively manner, and when indicated, conversationally.
Read what you believe. Consider yourself a "proclaimer of the Word of God."
Observe and learn from other Lectors when you are not scheduled to lector.
When doing the Readings, Prayers of the Faithful and the announcements during Mass, read slowly and deliberately - you are proclaiming the Word of God! Since we all have a tendency to read too fast, a good rule of thumb is if you think you are reading too slowly, you're probably reading at the correct pace.

What to do on Sunday (or before other Liturgies you're a Lector for)...
Dress appropriately.
Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass. Generally, the person listed first will read the first Reading and the Prayers of the Faithful. The second person will read the second Reading and any announcements at the end of Mass. However, it's a good idea to talk to your partner before Mass to decide who will read what. You should also talk to the Priest about whether he wants to read the announcements (if any) at the end of Mass.
You should look over the Readings in the Lectionary. While the text is the same as the Workbooks, the layout is different and you'll do a better job if you're familiar with the Lectionary layout.
Read the Prayers of the Faithful and any announcements over if you are doing them, to make sure of the pronunciation of any names. Check with the priest if you have any questions.
Put the Lectionary on the Podium open to the first reading.
Put the Prayers of the Faithful binder in the shelf under the Podium.
Make sure the ribbon is at the correct Gospel in the Book of Gospels.
While waiting with the Priest and Eucharistic Ministers before Mass starts, greet the parishioners as they enter the church.
When Mass is ready to start, line up for the opening procession. Altar Servers go first followed by the Eucharistic Ministers then the Lectors. The Priest is last.
During the opening procession, carry the Book of Gospels. (The Priest reads the Gospel from the Book of Gospels, not the Lectionary).
After the opening procession, the Lector carrying the Book of Gospels puts it on the stand on the Altar. Walk around the altar on the left side (while the priest goes around the right side) and put the Book of Gospels in the stand in center of the Altar.
You are asked to sit in the front pew; since there is no kneeler, you may sit when the congregation is kneeling.
The Lector who reads the second Reading MUST put the Lectionary in the shelf under the podium to make room for the Book of Gospels which the Priest brings over from the altar just before the Gospel reading.
When Mass is over, process out with the Priest and Eucharistic Ministers. (Leave the Lectionary and Book of Gospels on the podium). Stand near the doors and offer goodbyes to parishioners as they leave the Church.

Becoming a Lector...
If you would like to become a Lector at St. Mary's Church and need more information, contact the Rectory (683-6445).
Lectors proclaim the Word of God in the first and second readings and also read the parish intercessions at mass. Lectors have a passion for Scripture and the ability to interpret and understand Scripture.

Altar Servers

Altar Servers assist the priest throughout the Mass. Their participation includes carrying the cross or candles in the entrance processional, holding the lectionary for prayers and assisting in preparations for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Altars Servers must be in fifth grade or older.

Ushers, Hospitality & Welcoming

Hospitality is part of the foundation on which all of the ministries are built, that is why the role of “hospitality minister’ is so important. Hospitality ministers greet and welcome people as they enter church before mass. They help guests by providing information and assistance; they are also in charge of collection during mass, preparing the procession with the gifts, and leading the congregation to receive communion.

Individuals must sign up to be Hospitality Ministers; training will be provided. Hospitality Ministers are needed before each of the weekend masses.

Music Ministry

The Church of St. Mary of the Assumption has many music ministry opportunities for individuals interested. Your voice or instrument enriches the beauty of our liturgies and we invite you to share your gift. If you would like more information about any of the ministries below contact Andrea Ross the director of music at 949-1285.

Cantor/Leader

Destined to people with skills on singing and reading music. Cantors share with the Director of Music and Liturgy the responsibility of leading the congregation during mass. They schedule usually for 2-4 masses a month, according to their availability and parish’s needs.

Instrumentalist

Liturgical celebrations are always enriched by the presence of one or more instruments. We welcome any kind of instrument: woodwind, and brass wind, strings, guitar, percussion or keyboard. The Director of Music and Liturgy will provide practice time and parts for the preparation of the liturgies.

Please contact Andrea Ross, Directory of Music at 949-1285 with questions.