Liturgical Ministries
The Way We Celebrate God's Love
- the church or other worship environments;
- the presider or worship leader;
- the various ministers who serve or assist;
- the physical items used to enhance worship;
- the sounds, sights and smells that are utilized to enhance worship;
- and last but not least, the people who gather together for shared celebration.
The following ministries are required at every Mass:
These ministries also contribute to the celebration of liturgy:
If you have any questions or need more information about any particular ministry, please contact Jamie Johnson, Liturgy Coordinator, after Mass or by calling 765-288-6180, or ask one of our regular participants next time you're at church.
Each Mass requires a team of people to provide hospitality and assistance to parishioners and guests gathering for our liturgy celebrations. Our greeters meet parishoners in the Narthex and welcome them into the church, distributing bulletins and song sheets, as necessary.
No formal training is required.
A Mass Coordinator is scheduled for each Mass. They are responsible for some of the preparation required before liturgy celebrations, such as lighting candles, setting thermostats, seeking collection-takers and gift-bearers, and performing other tasks "behind the scenes" to assist the presider.
They also see to it that all the ministers have arrived, and select some individuals from the congregation to perform some of the Mass ministries, such as cross bearer, gift bearers, and collection takers.
Also known as Readers, lectors proclaim the Word of God during Mass. The lector is the sacred storyteller of the community, solemnly proclaiming the stories that give us our identity. God is present in the Word, speaking to us as the Word is proclaimed by the lector.
At St. Francis, two lectors are scheduled for each Mass. The first reader is responsible for carrying the Book of the Gospels in procession and for proclaiming the first reading. The second reader proclaims the second reading and leads the congregation in the Prayers of the Faithful.
Those who feel called to proclaim the Word must attend a training session, usually offered twice a year, but also available upon request in certain circumstances.
Eucharistic Ministers assist in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during liturgy. Some Eucharistic Ministers are also needed to carry Holy Eucharist to parishioners who are homebound or hospitalized.
Each minister takes a turn at being responsible for the preparation and cleaning of the vessels before and after Mass.
You must be a confirmed Catholic in order to participate in this ministry. If you are called to be a Eucharistic Minister, it is necessary to attend a training session, usually offered twice a year.
If you have any questions, please call Jamie Johnson at 765-288-6180
Liturgical music is a very important part of the liturgy at St. Francis. Anyone is welcome to contribute their musical gifts to enhance our liturgical celebrations. We are always in need of additional vocalists and instrumentalists.
Please contact Jamie Johnson, Music Director and lead guitar, or Lydia Nees, CLP Music Intern, at 765-288-6180 or music.stfrancis@comast.net.
Please see our Music Ministry page for more detailed information.
The Liturgy Committee is responsible for envisioning, planning, and organizing all aspects of our liturgical celebrations. New ideas and methods are introduced throughout the year to reflect the changing liturgical seasons and to enhance the worship experience.
Each meeting, the committee engages in continuing education by studying a particular document of liturgical interest. They spend time evaluating the preceding liturgical season as to how all the elements of worship have worked together to help the parish articulate and respond to the Paschal Mystery in our lives, as well as in our worship.
Please contact Becky Douglas at 765-644-0160.
The keen and creative eyes of the Art and Environment team assist the Liturgy Committee with the seasonal decoration of the church, enhancing our worship space with color, texture, and flowers.
Those called to this ministry may be gifted with visual and spatial skills or simply willing to help arrange the room or climb ladders. Please consider contributing your gifts to our worship space.
If you would like to offer your ideas and experience, please contact Peg Hornsby at 765-286-9026.
If you have any questions or need any more information, please contact Jamie Johnson after Mass or by calling 765-288-6180, or feel free to ask one of our regular participants next time you're at church.
This file last modified 02/28/08
