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MinistryLiturgical
The Eucharist is “The Source and Summit of the Christian Life.” (Lumen Gentium 11)
The celebration of the Eucharist is the action of Christ and of the Church, namely, of the holy people united and ordered under the Bishop.
It therefore pertains to the whole Body of the Church, manifests it, and has its effect upon it. Indeed, it also affects the individual members of the Church in a different way, according to their different orders, functions and actual participation.
In this way, the Christian people, "a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession," expresses the chesion and its hierarchiacal ordering. All, therefore, whether ordained ministers or lay Christian faithful, in fulfilling their function or their duty, should carry out solely but totally that which pertains to them. (GIRM 91.)
ALTAR SERVER MINISTRY
The Altar Server Ministry is a very special group of young people in our parish who have answered God’s call to ministry. As an Altar Server, you are one of the liturgical ministers with an important role during the Mass or other liturgical services.
Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.
REQUIREMENTS- Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They must be of more advanced maturity than their peers.
- They should have already received Holy Communion for the first time and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.
- Altar Servers must have a strong desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Must be a member of Saint Faustina Catholic Church.
- Must be in Grade 5+ at the start of the current school year (i.e. just "graduated" from the 4th grade).
- You must know how to genuflect, make the sign of the cross, be willing to pray aloud, and know the appropriate responses during Mass.
Those interested in becoming an altar server must meet the requirements above and be able to attend the orientation and training sessions. In addition, servers are asked to meet the expectations of an altar server and meet the obligations to remain an active member of the Altar Server Ministry.
Contact Us
Jamie and Blake Piazza, Altar Server Ministry Coordinator, Altarserver@saintfaustinachurch.org
Mass Hospitality Ministry- Ushers and Greeters
Ushers and Greeters are called to be Ministers of Hospitality. Ushers and Greeters convey a welcoming and hospitable spirit at Mass. They are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcoming and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship.
They are the first point of contact for the communal celebration of the Liturgy and because of this, should take special steps in being living representatives of the Parish Mission Statement. Ministers of Hospitality minister to the entire community in a very active way. By freeing each person of their own personal impediments to the Mass through a welcoming atmosphere, ministers of hospitality take an active role in enabling each person to come to a freer expression of God in the Liturgy.
Ushers and Greeters convey a welcoming and hospitable spirit at Mass.
GREETERS: Warmly welcome parishioners and visitors as they arrive and assist those with special needs.
USHERS: Help people be seated for Mass, assist people with disabilities, collect the offertory, and assist in flow of communion.
REQUIREMENTS- The Ministry of Hospitality is truly a service to the Church and should be treated seriously and with great dignity. Therefore, Ministers of Hospitality should have an understanding of the Liturgy in order to be effective in providing the faithful with the proper environment.
- In addition, the following attributes will assist the ministers of seeking Jesus’ face in the face of each and every person who comes into the church: patience, reverence, sensitivity compassion, understanding, gentleness, embracing a sense of the family gathered as the Body of Christ.
- Your participation in the Ministry of Hospitality should be a direct reflection of your own prayer life which is nurtured by the Word of God and reception of Holy Eucharist thereby imbuing within you a spirit of dignity and respect.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Opening doors to make sure the entrance into the church is welcoming to all
- Giving full attention to the gathering assembly by making eyes contact and offering a “Good Morning/Good Afternoon” (keep in mind that the sense of touch can be sometimes more powerful than words. A handshake or a hug can speak volumes.)
- Smile, which not only magnifies your true inner sincerity and sensitivity, but is an international sign of welcome to all the faithful.
- Seating those assembled for Liturgy and especially taking special efforts to seat the faithful during the natural breaks in the Mass.
- Attending to the needs of the disabled through such things as holding doors open, or locating non sloped areas places for wheelchairs and walkers.
- Making sure that the gifts of bread and wine are in their proper places before Mass and asking members of the assembly to bring forth the gifts at the Offertory
- Checking the worship space to make certain that it free from clutter
- Assisting in the Rite of Preparation: Circulating the collection receptacles (there should be a sufficient numbers of ushers to facilitate the collection in a timely and orderly fashion)
- Assisting in the Offertory Procession
- Assisting the handicapped in receiving Holy Communion as well as facilitating the Communion procession.
- Offering the parish bulletin to the faithful as they exit the church GREETERS In general, greeters carry the responsibility for the following:
Contact Us
Jeffrey Thigpen, Usher Ministry Coordinator, ushers@saintfaustinachurch.org
Carrie Sinosic, Mass Hospitality/Greeters Coordinator, hospitality@saintfaustinachurch.org
Lector Ministry
Lectors are fully initiated, practicing Catholics whose lives witness to the Word which they proclaim. He or she may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm and the prayer of the between the readings.
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD- Lectors bring the living Word of God to the liturgical assembly. The ministry of the Word should, therefore, be treated seriously and with great dignity. (GIRM 55)
- The Word of God is not merely read during the liturgy. It is proclaimed. Effective proclamation involves the delivery of the message with clarity, conviction and appropriate pace. It demands the ability to evoke faith in others by demonstrating one’s own faith. Proclamation is a special ministry which presupposes faith. It also rouses faith in those who hear the Word proclaimed. (LM Intro 55)
- The lector must proclaim well and be able to deliver the message in the scripture because; ideally, the assembly should listen to the proclamation of the Scriptures and not read along in a missalette. In the act of communal listening, the worshippers experience not only unity among themselves but also the presence of Christ speaking to them through the Word.
REQUIREMENTS- All liturgical ministers, especially lectors, must be properly trained for their ministry.
- This ministry of the Word requires skill in public reading, knowledge of the principles of liturgy, and an understanding of the scriptures, and above all, must process the ability to deliver the message of the scripture. Only properly trained and commissioned lectors should be scheduled for liturgy. (GIRM 101, LM Intro 14)
- On special occasions and for pastoral reasons, a young person who is not yet fully initiated (i.e. confirmed and has received first Eucharist) may be permitted to lector during a liturgy. Proper training, however, is expected.
- Those who are presently lectors should periodically participate in enrichment programs.
We ask those wanting to join the Lector Ministry at Saint Faustina, experience or not, to go through a discerning process. The discernment process includes a guideline for preparation and meeting with the Lector’s team, where we evaluate your ability to prepare and deliver the message of the scripture spiritually and reverently, with passion and conviction.
Contact Us
Mary Gerschefski, Lead Lector, Lector@saintfaustinachurch.org
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are Bishops, Priests and Deacons who assist the Bishop or Priest (GIRM no. 182). At every celebrating of the Eucharist there should be sufficient number of ministers for Holy Communion so that it can be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner.
Additionally, the sick and those unable to participate at the Eucharistic celebration have a spiritual need to receive Holy Communion. The Church, in order to make access to so great a sacrament, allows for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion when there is need. This is a ministry of bringing the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ to the People of God in a dignified and reverent manner. It also witnesses to faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the action of sharing in the Eucharistic meal of Christ’s sacrifice. The ministry should, therefore, be treated with utmost dignity and reverence
When there are not enough priests and deacons available for the numbers of faithful present, those who are authorized as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may be assigned to distribute Communion. It should be kept in mind that ordained ministers present for the celebration of the Eucharist are the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion and expected to distribute the Eucharist, unless they are too frail or sick to do so.
REQUIREMENTS- Baptized and Confirmed Catholic men and women of at least 25 years of age are eligible for this ministry. They should be persons who sincerely try to live the Gospel message in their communal and individual lives. If they are married, they should be married in the Church (divorce does not make one ineligible to serve as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.)
- They should faithfully participate in the Sunday Eucharist and with God’s grace in every aspect of their lives. People under the age of 25 must be individually recommended for delegation by their pastors.
- Candidates for extraordinary ministry of Holy Communion are to be properly trained in the parish, receive delegation from the Bishop to serve in a particular parish and be commissioned for services in the parish before they serve.
- All new extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are to be commissioned, preferably during a Sunday Mass.
- The names of those that the Pastor requests for delegation as ministers are to be submitted to the Office for Worship.
Contact Us
Adriana Gamboa, EOM Ministry Coordinator, EOM@saintfaustinachurch.org
Sacristan
“The sacristan diligently arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things that are necessary for the celebration of Mass.” General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), #105
“The LITURGY is the SUMMIT towards which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the FONT from which all power flows.” prepares the sacred space to welcome the faithful, as well as the table to welcome Jesus in the Word proclaimed and the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist, is an integral part of the liturgy.
The term Sacristan comes from the Latin word, sacer, which means sacred. Sacristans are often behind the scene prayerful ministers that bring to mind the words of Jesus when He said we should not do good works just to gain rewards (Matthew 6:1).
Those who desire to serve in the ministry of sacristan should be:- Active and faithful members of Saint Faustina Catholic Church. They should be people of faith and prayer, of godly character and reputation, with a deep devotion to the Eucharist and to the environment where the faithful gather together to worship.
- Respect for others, discretion, and appropriate decorum are the hallmarks of a sacristan. Above all, ministers should be noted for their care to the assembly. These qualities are found in a mature Christian – qualities that transcend chronological age. Furthermore, the minister should be comfortable inviting and/or directing others in a welcoming and loving manner.
- There are times when further assistance is needed at mass, and it is up to the sacristan to solicit that help.
Contact Us
Luis Gamboa, Sacristan Ministry Coordinator, sacristans@saintfaustinachurch.org
Instituted Acolytes
The instituted acolyte is appointed to assist the deacon and serve the priest in the celebration of the liturgy. He is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion serving only when sufficient ordinary ministers are not available.
Instituted acolytes, as necessary, may also assist with the formation of other ministers who assist at the altar. Because these ministers are dedicated to service at the altar, they should strive to learn all they can about public divine worship and strive to grasp its inner spiritual meaning. A primary responsibility is to assist with the purification of vessels used in the distribution of Holy Communion.
Candidates chosen for this ministry should be experienced sacristans and liturgical ministers. Men must be at least 21 years of age, fully initiated, and living an exemplary Christian way of life, with no impediments to sacramental reception, (e.g., if married, one must be in a valid union recognized by the Church).
Pastors determine the need for instituted acolytes in their parish, in consultation with the Office of Worship.
Contact Us
Pitcher Allendorph, Acolytes Ministry Coordinator, Acolytes@saintfaustinacatholichurch.org
Art and Environment
"The church is favored, the dwelling place of God on earth: a temple built of living stones, founded on the apostles with Jesus Christ its cornerstone." 1 Peter 2
The purpose of the Art and Environment Ministry is to plan and implement an environment in and around our worship space, centered on the liturgical seasons of The Church, to enhance the beautiful liturgies celebrated at Saint Faustina Catholic Church. We do this by augmenting the essential symbols of the liturgy with reverence, elegance and simplicity.
Ministers of Art and Environment are called to serve the parish in providing an environment for worship that will mediate the presence of God. Our goal is to care for all the elements of worship, ensuring that the total environment is clean, appropriate, authentic, beautiful and accessible. We strive to provide our parishioners the sacred spaces that they need, from the Narthex, to the Naïve, and the Altar.
Contact Us
Lisa Guerre,
Art and Environment Ministry Coordinator, arts-environment@saintfaustinachurch.org
ALTAR LINEN CARE MINISTRY
With deep love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist, the Altar Linen Care Ministry cares for the sacred linens on a rotating schedule. Training is provided on how to care for these special linens that contain the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This ministry is made up of team members who, behind the scenes in their own homes, reverently launder and care for the purificators and corporals used on the altar at Mass.
The manner in which we treat sacred things (even those of lesser significance than the chalice, paten, liturgical furnishing, ect.) fosters and expresses our openness to the graces God gives to His Church in every celebration of the Eucharist. Thus, by the diligent care of altar linens and sacred vessels, the Church expresses her joy at the inestimable gifts she receives from Christ’s altar.
Contact Us:
Lisa Guerre, Art and Environment Ministry Coordinator, arts-environment@saintfaustinachurch.org
AV MINISTRY
Are you a behind-the-scenes type of person with basic knowledge of computers and music? This may be the ministry for you.
The Audio Visual Ministry is responsible for the setup, maintenance, coordination, and use of the Church’s audio, visual, and lighting technology used during our Mass and other special liturgical celebrations. The ministry’s mission is to glorify God by ensuring that our Mass is seen by our parishioners, those who are sick and homebound, and others who cannot attend Mass with us on Sunday or our other celebrations.
Those who work in this ministry have a passion for communicating the love of Christ through cutting-edge technology. The Audio Visual Team works closely with the liturgical ministers, clergy, and musicians to create a powerful, dynamic, and meaningful worship experience for our church.
Contact Us
Alberto and Monica Duva, AV Ministry Coordinator, av@saintfaustinachurch.org
GIFT PRESENTERS
We the faithful are given many gifts by God, and as members of the body of Christ, we bring forth ourselves to present our gifts to the Altar. As such, we the members of the community have a beautiful opportunity to bring forward the gifts of bread and wine which is essential for Eucharist.
During each weekend Mass, Gift Presenters bring forward the gifts of bread and wine from the back of the church and presents them to the Celebrant after the offertory collection has been taken.
If your family is interested in presenting the gifts, please email giftpresenters@saintfaustinachurch.org and someone will contact you to place you on the next available schedule. Or should you have a specific date in mind (i.e. birthday, anniversary, remembrance of a loved one.) please let us know the date and your prefer Mass time.