Lectors, or Ministers of the Word, are called to proclaim Christ's Real Presence in the Liturgy of the Word before the assembled Body of Christ. through two readings from the Bible at Mass. Lectors are not readers but are proclaimers of the Good News of the Lord.
Purpose: Bring the power of the word of God and love of scriptures to the congregation.
Responsibilities: Read, practice and prepare for your oral reading(s). Be able to correctly pronounce difficult words. Read in a deliberate, slow and clear voice so that the words on the page come alive for those listening.
Helpful Attributes: Enjoy public speaking; have a pleasant voice that projects well.
Time Commitment: Must arrive 20 minutes prior to mass, plus preparation time.
Training Required: Provided by Diocese and Ministry
Meetings: Periodically, as announced
Fingerprinting Required: No
Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist of Holy Communion enjoy the unique privilege of sharing the Body and Blood of Christ with others. They are men, women and young adults who assists in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during a celebration of the Mass.
Purpose: Assist in distribution of Holy Communion during liturgies.
Responsibilities: Fulfill daily or monthly assignments.
Helpful Attributes: Strong commitment to Christ and the Church as evidenced by a life lived in conformity with all that the Church teaches.
Time Commitment: Varies
Training Required: Diocesan training required
Fingerprinting Required: Yes
Altar Servers
Altar servers participate in an intimate way during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Altar Server have a critical role in support of the priest and deacon at Mass and at other liturgical celebrations. In our parish, altar servers include parishioners of all ages, both young people and adults. The parish provides training for all those who are called to serve God and His People in this important liturgical function. Purpose: To minister at God’s altar with reverence, dignity and love.
Responsibilities: Assist the Presider at mass; help direct less experienced servers.
Helpful Attributes: Punctuality and attention to details.
Time Commitment: Must arrive 20-30 minutes before mass and serve the duration of the Mass.
Meetings: Periodically, as announced.
Training: Provided by Ministry
Fingerprinting Required: Yes
Sacristans
Sacristans are those behind-the-scenes persons who make many of the needed preparations for our various liturgical celebrations. They prepare the sacred vessels, and the bread and wine used at Mass and ensure everything necessary for each liturgy is in place. Through their efforts our liturgies are celebrated as intended.
Purpose: To help serve the liturgical needs of the parish during mass and other services.
Responsibilities: Prepare altar for mass, including sacramental articles, communion vessels, candles, lighting, sound and temperature controls. Assist at baptisms, weddings and funerals as needed. Coordinate people and necessary supplies.
Helpful Attributes: Understanding of the liturgy of the Eucharist is essential; desire to learn about sacred articles and their use, care and storage. Must be a responsible self-starter.
Time Commitment: Serve approximately one-half hour before and after mass.
Training Required: Training through by shadowing
Fingerprinting Required: No
Music
Music stirs the soul in such a deeply personal way that it becomes an essential element of good Liturgical worship. Here at Sacred Heart, we have some of the best musicians and cantors you will find anywhere, and their different musical styles reach out and touch the heart and enliven the spirit. The combined musical styles of the choral groups and musicians encourage the congregation to sing and pray the Mass together. Making “joyful noises unto the Lord” is truly the vocation of the Music Ministry. Those who participate in the music ministry find the experience to be spiritually, emotionally, even intellectually satisfying.
The choir rehearses most Friday evenings, 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., and sing for the 10:00 A.M. Mass on Sundays (after a 9:00 A.M. rehearsal), and for special liturgies throughout the year. The choir also sings for the 5:00 P.M. mass on Saturday, which features a much smaller chorus. The Sacred Heart parish choir is a volunteered based choir for adults and youth who are at least sixteen years of age. Purpose: To enhance liturgies with sacred music.
Responsibilities: Attend weekly scheduled choir practices, liturgies, and special occasions. Attendance at rehearsals and faithful participation in the choir’s assigned liturgies are essential.
Helpful Attributes: Singing voice; enjoy singing.
Time Commitment: Weekly choir practices plus additional practices leading up to major holy days and church celebrations.
Meetings: As needed
Training Required: None, Membership in our choir is welcomed by an impromptu audition by the choir director to determine your level of singing. (While the ability to read music is not absolutely necessary, the ability to sing in key and work hard is)
Fingerprinting Required: No
Ushers
The ministry of usher is perhaps the most important for setting the tone for worship. A friendly hello at the Church door is the first contact you will have with some of our Parishioners. Dedication to serve at the Masses on a weekly basis is a commitment you will have to provide friendship, order, courtesy and reverence, both for the celebration of the Mass and for the congregants. Purpose: To help serve the liturgical needs of the parish during mass and other services.
Responsibilities: Assist and greet Parishioners, offertory collection, hand out bulletins, and assist Parishioners as needed.
Helpful Attributes: Customer service - internally and externally. Enjoy public speaking.
Time Commitment: Serve approximately 30-40 minutes before and 10-15 minutes after mass.