LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
Staff Contact: Deacon John Murrell, Coordinator of Liturgy, 713-692-9123

Altar Servers

The privilege of assisting priests in celebrating the Holy Mass is reserved for girls and boys in grade 4 or higher who are baptized Catholics, who have made their first Communion, who attend Mass regularly and have their parent's support. Adults are invited to join this ministry and supplement youth altar servers. Parent/child teams are especially encouraged. Required training sessions are usually held in the fall and early spring of each year. Classes are publicized in the bulletin and through the school and religious education programs.

Visit the Altar Server Web Page

Art & Environment

The parish Art and Environment C ommittee gathers to plan the environmental and art components of worship spaces according to the liturgical seasons of the year and guidelines in the Catholic worship documentation. Volunteer members must be willing to contribute their time and talents to plan, create, set up, remove and clean up presentations throughout the year.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMs) may choose to assist in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during Masses or by taking Communion to patients in Northwest Memorial Hospital, residents of Autumn Hills and Lexington Place nursing homes, and individual parishioners who are homebound. Volunteers must complete arch-diocesan and parish training sessions, after which their names are submitted to the bishop by the pastor to be commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.Candidates must be at least 18 years of age or seniors in high school and fully initiated in the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. They also must be persons of genuine Eucharistic faith, live exemplary Catholic lives, be psychologically mature and, if married, must have been married in the Catholic Church.

Lectors

Through this ministry, God’s living Word continues to be proclaimed to His people. Lectors desire to witness to their Christian faith, are concerned that the Word of God is proclaimed well, and have an awareness that their reading talents should be shared with the whole community. Training involving scriptural background and practical skills is required as well as a willingness to attend periodic scripture classes.

Sacristans

Many things need to be done before the Liturgy can take place. The church building must be opened and lit, cleaned and decorated for the feast. Bread, wine, vessels and vestments must be in place, and books and candles must be set out. The sacristan also welcomes other ministers scheduled for the Liturgy and helps to assure the continuity and flow of the preparations.

Ushers & Greeters

Among the servants of God who comprise the membership of the Body of Christ, ushers and greeters are called to provide a very special service. They create an atmosphere of welcome, community and order. They welcome all, introduce strangers, distribute worship aids, assist with collections and occasional special activities, assist in the orderly movement of the faithful as they enter and exit the church and during Communion, and ensure that the church is left in order after Mass for the next function.