All the faithful are called to share their gifts in the world and at Liturgies. Browse below to discover the many ministries that support the Eucharistic Celebration. This diversity of ministries shows the activity of the Holy Spirit, who bestows all gifts in abundance. Every worshipping community possesses many gifts. Some people may be unaware of their gifts. We hope to help them discover them and offer what they have, their participation enlivens their faith, and the whole community bears witness to the manifold presence of the Holy Spirit.
To inquire about being on the schedule for any ministry, please contact Bridget Brass in the Faith Formation Office at 515-276-7589.
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. -Luke 7:44b-47a
Whether you see yourself as an usher or a greeter, your ministry is to help people participate at Mass. Your responsibility may be limited to finding seats for people and taking up collections, or you may be more of a goodwill ambassador or even a sergeant at arms. Usher training is provided for the safety of our members and guests when gathered and for the proper handling of donations collected.
As people enter, you will do more than welcome them. You may help them with other needs. Be ready to receive donations for the food pantry, push wheelchairs, or direct people to restrooms. All these actions form community.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
-Luke 4:18-19
The role of the Lector takes place during the Liturgy of the Word. The main parts of the first half of the Mass are the readings from sacred scripture and the music occurring between them. The role is to proclaim God's Word, rather than just reading. Their preparation is above all spiritual, but biblical formation and technical, grammatical and mental preparation is necessary to serve in this ministry. Lector duties may include:
The lector’s service at Mass take up only a few minutes, but these are critical minutes. Even when moving towards the altar or ambo before the reading, the lector carries a sense of reverence and purpose. People will begin to comprehend the significance of the reading by the seriousness with which the lector approaches this task. In order to “more fittingly and perfectly fulfill these functions”, Paul VI has recommended this profoundly direct expectation of a lector: you are “to meditate assiduously on sacred Scripture".
I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. -John 6:35
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are appointed to assist the priest and deacon with distributing Holy Communion during Mass, as well as bring Holy Communion to the sick and the homebound and give Viaticum to the dying.
While not all extraordinary ministers who serve at Mass bring Holy Communion to the sick, homebound and dying, the roles are closely interconnected.
When you serve as an extraordinary minister, be attentive to all your words and actions. Enter the sanctuary at the appointed time; receive Holy Communion with intention and reverence; carry the vessel mindful of Who it contains. Training is provided as well as opportunities for spiritual growth.
Sing praise to the Lord with harp, with harp and melodious song. -Psalm 98:5
Whenever the faithful gather for Mass, they join the prayer of the worldwide Church in her act of thanksgiving. Ministers of Music help the entire assembly fulfill its role. Music involves all the people by fostering the unity of those who have been gathered. Unity of spirit is aided by means of unity of their voices, to show joy of heart and praise and thanksgiving to God.
The faithful exercise music ministry in different ways - voice, organ/piano, other instruments, choir, and occasionally solos. Cantor/Psalmist will chant the verses of the Responsorial Psalm. You are not just there as musicians, but first as a member of the assembly. First you worship with the community, and then within the community you exercise your role as a musician. Yet you remember that you are a liturgical musician and not a performer. Your music serves the liturgy.
The “full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else. The role of the music ministry is to assist the assembly with finding its own voice-to empower the people with whom you worship. Music ministers must strive to break down the dynamic of “us” and “them”. The music is not something for a musician to do, while the rest of the people sit and listen. Liturgy is not about the music or the musicians; it is about the prayer of the gathered faithful.
Saturday 5 PM: Accompanists & Cantors
Sunday 9 AM: Choir, Accompanists & Cantors
Sunday 11 AM: Accompanists & Cantors or Teen Choir
For these….servers, that the light of Christ may shine in their hearts, we pray to the Lord. -Book of Blessings, 1853
When the Church comes together to celebrate liturgy, there is a need for dedicated ministers to take charge of certain responsibilities so that the priest celebrant can focus his attention on leading the assembly in prayer. These ministers are called servers.
Servers have a number of significant liturgical responsibilities. You may serve at daily Mass or at funerals and weddings, however, most frequently you serve at Sunday Mass. Up to 5 servers may work together. The following roles are divided among the servers:
The celebration of the liturgy-in particular, the celebration of Eucharist-is the most important thing we do when we gather as a Christian Community. Servers, through the humble and prayerful actions, show reverence to the liturgy and help the community in prayer.
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. -Psalm 84:3,10
A sacristan usually works behind the scenes and outside the actual celebration of the liturgy. The sacristan ensures that the items needed for liturgy are available, clean, and ready for liturgy. This can be sacred vessels, books, vestment, lines, host and wine, candles, altar clothes, and items for special liturgies. The sacristan works closely with the pastor, parish staff, Art and Environment group and the Liturgy groups to ensure everything is available.