Liturgical Ministries

There are several opportunities for parishioners to serve during Mass, both publicly and behind the scenes. To learn more about each ministry, please review the information below. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Parish office or complete the provided interest form.

The composition of the Eucharistic assembly ideally represents and reflects the nature of the Church herself, which is hierarchically ordered. The very arrangement of the celebration in its various ministries shows that all the baptized have a place in the Church – women and men, young and old, people of every race and tongue. Through the active participation of the faithful and the variety of liturgical ministers in the Church, the Body of Christ is built up.

# 6 General Instruction of the Roman Missal

Altar Guild

Altar Linen Care - This work involves caring for the small linens used by the priest and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EM) during Mass. It also includes towels used at Baptism and the smaller table covers. The laundering and ironing is done at home on a rotating weekly basis.

Baptismal Garments - Baptismal garments are sewn by members of the parish. There are two types of garments made. A small white bib which includes a hand-embroidered cross and is presented to each infant at his/her Baptism. A larger garment worn by those members of the OCIA who are preparing to enter the church. They receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil and, after they are baptized, dress in the white garment of one newly received into the Church.

Art/Church Environment - The tasteful and appropriate arrangement and decoration of the church, sanctuary, narthex, and chapel according to the church’s liturgical guidelines is an important help to provide an uplifting and prayerful celebration of the liturgy. This work includes the placement and maintenance of flowers and plants in the church, narthex, and chapel. The care for the plants is on a rotating basis approximately every 3-4 weeks. The other decorations are done seasonally with the primary times of help needed prior to and at the conclusion of the Christmas and Easter seasons.

Altar Servers

The Ministry of Altar Server is to assist the priest and, in particular, to prepare the altar and the vessels for the most important act of worship, the Celebration of Holy Mass. The role of server is integral to the normal celebration of the Mass.

All young men and women, grade 4 through high school, are invited to join this ministry as an altar server. Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received Holy Communion for the first time and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.

Servers are prepared for this ministry through initial training and ongoing formation offered in the parish. Servers are ordinarily assigned two times a month. There are opportunities to serve at weddings, funerals, Midnight Mass, Christmas, the Triduum, Easter, and other special feast days and services.

Cantors

The Ministry of Cantor is to lead the assembly’s song, especially when there is no choir present. The Cantor also proclaims the Psalm, as well as intoning the Gospel Acclamation and verse.

The cantors should have proficient musical skills and commitment to their craft. In addition to having a pleasant, attractive voice, the Cantor must be a person of deep faith, with a love and understanding of the liturgy and of the Word of God as expressed in the psalms and canticles of the Psalter

Following a successful audition, cantors are prepared through initial training and ongoing work on vocal quality and spiritual development.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) provides the opportunity for children ages 3-7 to experience the Sunday Scriptures at age-appropriate understanding.

They meet weekly from September to May at the Sunday 10am Mass. They actively participate in the proclamation and hearing of the Word through prayer, song, gestures, and sharing of Jesus’ message in their lives.

Adult leaders and teen aides serve on a rotating basis in this ministry. The commitment is minimal. Volunteers share their time, prayer, and faith with the children, and commit to two Sundays a year from September to May. Volunteers work in teams, and materials, training, and support are provided.

So THINK, PRAY and JOIN us in spreading the Word with the youngest of the OLGC Community.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound of the parish.

Men and women 18 years or older who have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) are eligible for this ministry. They are to be Catholics in good standing who sincerely try to live the Gospel message in accordance with the teachings of the Church. They are to participate regularly in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist and the practice of their Catholic faith.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are prepared for this ministry through participation in formation on the Diocesan level, as well as ongoing formation in the parish. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are ordinarily assigned once every three weeks.

Funeral Ministry

The Funeral Ministry is one of consolation, with words of faith and support, and acts of kindness. The focus of the Funeral Minister is to care for the family and friends of the deceased who assemble on the day of the funeral. They greet the family and guests, support and guide those proclaiming the Word, instruct the gift bearers, help with distribution of Holy Communion, and assist with movement outward at the conclusion of the funeral.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, an experienced Funeral Minister will train and work with you on a regular basis until you are comfortable and able to minister alone. All Funeral Ministers are part of a rotation system.

Hospitality Ministry

We are challenged by the example of Jesus to reach out in loving service to others, offering hospitality and to welcome the community at large. St. Francis de Sales believed that we should have a spirit of welcome in all circumstances. It is incumbent on us to greet those who come to OLGC to worship.

Our Ministers of Hospitality are a diverse community made up of young families, young adults, couples and singles, and seniors who will staff the Welcome Desk for the weekend Masses and will be at the doors of the Narthex/Gathering Space. They will greet the people as they enter and leave, to answer any questions, and to assist in any way.

Sign up to staff the Welcome Desk this fall.

Lectors

The Ministry of Lector is a ministry of proclamation. Through this proclamation, God speaks to the faithful. They provide a prayerful and well-prepared proclamation of the Word. Resources are provided to aid lectors in their weekly preparation.

Lectors ordinarily have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, have a strong voice to proclaim the Word, and are in good standing with the Church.

Lectors are prepared for this ministry through initial training and ongoing formation offered in the parish. Lectors are ordinarily assigned once every three weeks.

Ushers

The Ministry of Usher is responsible for welcoming parishioners as they enter the narthex, assisting those in need, providing direction, answering questions, and offering help when necessary. The ministry also includes inviting a family to be gift-bearers, taking up the offertory collection, overseeing the Communion procession, distributing bulletins at the conclusion of Mass, and helping to tidy up the pews before the next Mass. Consider this as an opportunity to reflect upon all the blessings you have received from God and how you might be able to fulfill your call to service.

The Ministry of Usher is available to those who:

are 15 years or older and have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
sincerely try to live the Gospel message in accordance with the teaching of the church
are Catholics in Good Standing with the Church

Commitment involved:
Attend a 1-hour training
Reliability to serve at Mass
Attend ongoing Diocesan & parish formation
Usually assigned once every two weeks

Sacristans

The Ministry of Sacristan is one of the most ancient of responsibilities in the Church. It involves preparing the vessels with Bread and Wine and cleaning the vessels after Mass. The Sacristan arranges the Presider Book, Roman Missal, and Lectionary. Communicating with other ministers is important to ensure that all are aware of any special procedures during a service.

The sacristan should be well-trained in the complexities of the Liturgical Rituals. The Sacristans are prepared for this ministry through initial training and ongoing formation offered in the parish.

Sacristans are ordinarily assigned once every three weeks. One also has the opportunity to be a Sacristan at funerals, Christmas, the Triduum, and other special feast day Masses.

Wedding Coordinators

The Ministry of Wedding Coordinators needs women and men with pleasant dispositions, dependability, welcoming personalities, and are comfortable speaking in front of people. Volunteers assist brides and their families during the rehearsal and on the wedding day. The work also includes the organizing needed items for the wedding. One is trained by shadowing other wedding coordinators.

Liturgy Ministry
Interest Form

Low-Gluten Host Information

Low-Gluten Host Information

Low-Gluten Hosts: We recognize that there are members of the OLGC Community who attend Mass and live with a gluten intolerance. There are hosts that have .000025% gluten and are both safe for those with a gluten intolerance and approved for Holy Communion. OLGC has these hosts and asks that you let us know that about your intolerance, and we will ensure that you can receive Holy Communion. A special pyx is used for these hosts. Please sit in the front right section of the Church closest to the tabernacle if you are in need of low-gluten host. The Eucharistic Minister stationed in that section will have the pyx and you would proceed to them to receive Holy Communion.

Please know that if you are not able to receive Holy Communion at all under the species of bread, even of low-gluten hosts, you can request to receive Holy Communion under the species of wine only. The Church teaches that Christ--body, soul and divinity, the true Sacrament--is present fully in either species (bread or wine). Those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any grace that is necessary for salvation.