VOLUNTEER
Liturgical Roles - Do you desire to volunteer your gifts during Holy Mass and other liturgical rites and celebrations? We need parishioners of all ages to step forward and help create reverent worship.
Choir: The Choir is not just an add-on to the liturgy, but leads the congregation in worship by its singing. Ideally, the choir chants several of the proper texts for each Mass and so should be an integral part of the liturgical roles. Scripture tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. If you have ever sung in a choir, we encourage you to join in praise of God with your voice by joining the choir.
Cantor: The primary responsibility of a cantor is to lead music during Mass. They intone the psalm responses and the Alleluia. Their leadership cues the congregation when to begin singing. They can sit in the congregation with their families until time to fulfill the role. The cantor should be comfortable with solo singing and can learn music easily.
Musicians: Like the Choir, the Musicians help to lead the congregation in praise. If you have skills playing the piano or organ, please consider using your skills to be an alternate organist/pianist. If you play other instruments, especially strings or brass, we would love for you to join us for special Masses to add to the music.
Readers proclaim the Sacred Scriptures at Mass. We need volunteers who are gifted at public reading and have a love for the written word of God. Readers should have received the sacrament of Confirmation and must be able to receive Holy Communion.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Those involved with this ministry read the readings for the week from a lectionary geared toward children and talk about it. If you have experience teaching children, please consider getting involved in this ministry.
Altar servers assist the priest with the logistics of Mass. This ministry is open to youth, especially young men who have received first Holy Communion. Servers make it possible to add reverence and allow the priest to focus on praying the Mass, much like an honor guard. They allow the use of torches, incense, and processions, which add solemnity and help to outwardly glorify God.
Gift Bearers represent the congregation in presenting the bread and wine to be used for the celebration of the Mass. The ushers generally find the gift bearers for the mass as parishioners come into Mass. You are encouraged to ask the ushers if they have gift bearers as you enter the church.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: In the context of the Mass, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) make distribution of Holy Communion timely when there are not enough ordained ministers (the regular ministers of Holy Communion) for distribution of Holy Communion. This ministry is open to those who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. When scheduled as an EMHC, one needs to be free of any grave sins. More frequent reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged for those who are serving as EMHCs because of the Holiness of our Lord and the responsibility to handle him reverently.
EMHC Homebound: Refers to trained Catholic volunteers who bring the Eucharist (Communion) from Mass to parishioners who are sick, elderly, or homebound. Offer and lead prayers, share scripture, and provide spiritual comfort, fostering a connection to the parish community.
Ushers greet people as they enter and leave the church, assist people in finding a pew if needed, take up the collection, and hand out bulletins. This ministry is open to any adult or teenager of the parish.
Greeters/Hospitality: Regular breakfasts and the receptions on the plaza after the 8:00 Mass on Sunday are a good way to build a community with our fellow parishioners. It takes volunteers to help coordinate them. Hospitality volunteers help with any cooking, serving, and cleaning up afterwards.
Rosary Leaders lead in the Holy Rosary as a community prayer, before Sunday Mass.
Seasonal Decorators help to prepare the Church for the more solemn feasts with decorations. Those involved with this ministry help to take care of the cut arrangements, along with water potted plants, both in the Church and outside.
Sacristans help set up the vessels and linens for the celebration of Mass and put things away afterward. Having things set out allows Father to be in the confessional a little longer, and lets the time before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass be more prayerful.
Altar Linen Angels take turns laundering the purificators, corporals, altar cloths, and hand towels used at the Mass, following the process to show respect for any particles of Our Lord’s body or drips of his blood.
Money Counters meet in the Parish Office on Monday morning to count the collection from the preceding Sunday.
Other Volunteer opportunities:
K-6th Grade Catechist - Do you enjoy spending time with little ones and teaching the basics of our Catholic faith? We need warm, energetic, and patient adults to lead our children during some of the most formative years of their life.
MS Discipleship Group Leaders - We are in need welcoming, fun-loving parishioners to help lead discussion for a small group of middle school or high school students during weekly Faith Formation on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm.
HS Discipleship Group Leaders - Want to accompany teens through the beginnings of their young adult lives in the Church? We need adults who are passionate about preparing students for Confirmation and the mission of the Church. High school students gather at least twice each month to grow deeper in their knowledge of the Catholic faith, to pray together, and to spend time in fellowship with one another.
Welcome Team - Are you more of a behind-the-scenes kind of person with a knack for hospitality? We need parishioners who value all that our cluster offers and is looking to give back through the preparation of food, environment-building, greeting, and other support.
“Serve and give freely that which you have received freely. May our life of holiness be permeated by this openness of heart, so that the gratuitousness of God – the graces that He wishes to give us without cost – may enter our hearts.”
-POPE FRANCIS