& Catholic Campus Ministry
Office 513 523 2153 Fax 513 523 0559
Email: info@stmaryoxfordohio.org
Liturgical Ministries (Ministries at Mass)
MASS COORDINATOR
| EUCHARISTIC MINISTER | LECTOR
| ALTAR SERVER | USHER
LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN
MINISTER | EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TO NURSING
HOME
BEREAVEMENT |
FOLK GROUP | CANTOR | CHOIR
Mission: To assist the priest andworship ministers in the practical preparation and details supporting prayerful liturgies.
Description: Mass coordinators are the “behind the scenes” minister. Before mass, mass coordinators are responsible for the immediate preparation of the church and sacristy and assist the worship ministers as needed. After mass, mass coordinators supervise church and sacristy clean up and any remote mass preparations.
Time and Training Expectations: . New volunteers are trained individually and receive on-the-job instruction from an experienced mass coordinator.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER - COMMUNITY LITURGY
Mission: To assist the priest in the distribution of the Eucharistic at community liturgies.
Description: Eucharistic ministers come from the community to serve at the altar for the distribution of Holy Communion. Eucharistic ministers, as needed, distribute the host or cup, the Body or Blood or Christ. Before mass, eucharistic ministers check in with the mass coordinator. After mass, eucharistic ministers purify the sacred vessels.
Time and Training Expectations: Eucharistic Ministers are assigned by a published schedule several times a month at the weekend mass time and locations of their choice. Prior to being assigned, eucharistic ministers attend a one hour training session in September or January for a theological and liturgical grounding in the ministry and its practical expression at St. Mary.
Mission: To proclaim the Word of God at community liturgies.
Description: Lectors come from the community to proclaim
the scripture readings. Lectors may also offer the petitions and make
announcements to the assembly. Before mass, lectors coordinate liturgy
responsibilities and check proper pronunciation.
Time and Training Expectations: Lectors are assigned by a published schedule several times a month at the weekend mass time and locations of their choice. Prior to being assigned, lectors attend a one hour training session in September or January for a theological and liturgical grounding in the ministry of lector and its particular expression at St. Mary.
Mission: To assist the priest during community liturgies.
Description: Servers, or acolytes, come from the community to assist the presiding celebrant at the chair and at the altar. Responsibilities can vary with the solemnity and season of the celebration.
Time and Training Expectations: Servers are assigned by a published schedule several times a month at the weekend mass time and location of their choice. Prior to being assigned, servers attend a one-hour training session in the Spring for a liturgical grounding in the ministry of acolyte and its particular expression at St. Mary.
Mission: To promote a hospitable and prayerful atmosphere for worship, to offer particular assistance to the assembly before, during and after liturgies.
Description: Ushers assist the assembly in being seated and receiving pre-liturgy materials, direct the community collection and preparation of the alter, direct movement to and from communion, assist the assembly in exiting church and receiving post-liturgy materials, and assist with as hoc special needs.
Time and Training Expectations: Prior to beginning service, ushers are trained individually and receive on-the-job instruction from an experienced usher.
LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN MINISTER
Mission: To facilitate the proclamation of the Word of God to young parishioners at community liturgies, to prepare young parishioners to participate appropriately with the worshipping assembly as they mature.
Description: Liturgy of the Word with Children ministers assist children ages 5 to 10 at the 9:30am weekend liturgy. Ministers work in teams to proclaim the scripture readings, reflect and discuss biblical themes in age-appropriate content and to lead petitions.
Time and Training Expectations: Liturgy of the Word with Children ministers serve on teams. Ministers are not baby-sitters but faith sharers. Prior to being assigned, Liturgy of the Word with Children ministers attend a training session and serve a brief apprenticeship with an experienced team of ministers.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER - NURSING HOME / HOME-BOUND
Mission: To serve as a faith community link to parishioners unable to participate at mass, to visit the sick or aging at home and when receiving institutionalized care, to pray with the homebound and distribute the Eucharist.
Description: Eucharistic ministers, during the week and on the weekend, go from the community to reach out to parishioners in the hospital, nursing home and at home to visit and distribute Holy Communion to them.
Time and Training Expectations: Eucharistic ministers to the homebound are assigned visits by a schedule. Prior to being assigned, eucharistic ministers attend a one hour training session in September or January for a theological and liturgical grounding in the ministry. Eucharistic ministers to the homebound also receive future individual training by accompanying an experienced minister for several visits.
Mission: To be present to parishioners experiencing the loss of a loved one in death, to assist families in planning and celebrating the various rituals of Christian burial.
Description: Bereavement ministers work as a team when
possible to help families understand and plan the rituals of Christian
burial. Ministers coordinate family needs and plans with staff and parish
organizations and participate in or are present to families during the
celebration of the rituals. Members usually meet with families and celebrate
funeral rituals during weekday business hours.
Time and Training Expectations: Bereavement ministers
are on short-notice call and spend several hours, as needed, assisting
families. Bereavement ministers are trained individually and receive on-the-job
instruction from an experienced bereavement minister.
FOLK GROUP / PARISH CENTER INSTRUMENTALIST
Mission: To support the gathered assembly in prayer through music leadership, to enhance the solemnity of, and participation in community worship.
Description: Vocalists and instrumentalists combine personal skills in music to assist the priest-celebrant and assembled parishioners in worship. They also have a lot of fun together..
Time and Training Expectations: Vocalists and instrumentalists bring previous music skills and training to this ministry. Members meet for scheduled practices during the week and/or on weekends before mass.
CANTOR / CHOIR MEMBER / CHURCH INSTRUMENTALIST
Mission: To support the gathered assembly in prayer through music leadership, to enhance the solemnity of, and participation in community worship.
Description: Cantors, choir members and instrumentalists combine personal skills in music to assist the priest-celebrant and assembled parishioners in worship. Cantors lead the community in responsorial singing and common sacred song. Choir members assist community singing and enhance the solemnity of worship in appropriate choral collaboration at one weekend mass and seasonal celebrations. Coordinating with the church organist, music ministers assist, ad hoc or regularly, at one or more of three weekend liturgies celebrated in the church.
Time and Training Expectations: Cantors, choir members
and instrumentalists bring previous music skills and training to this
ministry. The Director of Music, cantors, other instrumentalists, and
choir members determine individual practice schedules during the week
and/ or on weekends before mass.