Service Opportunities
Altar Server Ministry
Boys and girls are welcomed as altar servers—most commonly serving at the weekend Sunday Masses and Holy Day Masses, but any server may volunteer to serve at the 7:00am daily Mass. Training is provided a number of times each year for those in grades 4 and up. Watch for bulletin notices and lector announcements regarding server training sessions, or call the Parish Center if you are interested in joining in service of the altar.
Art & Environment Committee
A creative group of parishioners works to keep our worship environment beautiful, in accordance with liturgical guidelines. Not only do they decorate for seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, but their artistic talents are contributed year-round. If you have a creative side that you would like to share at any time, please contact the
Art & Environment chairperson.
Special occasion decorating is also available for weddings, funerals, etc. If you have decorating needs for a special occasion, please contact the Parish Center to make arrangements.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Any men or women, age 18 and older, who have been confirmed and are dedicated members of our parish, may help distribute Holy Communion at the weekend Sunday Masses and other Holy Days of Obligation. While ordained men are the “ordinary” (usual) ministers of the Holy Eucharist, lay people are “extra-ordinary” (supplemental) ministers of Holy Communion. They may also provide a most valuable service in helping to distribute Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners and to Catholics in the local nursing homes and assisted living centers, which our parish serves. The Archbishop typically commissions extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion for three-year terms. Please contact the Parish Center if you are interested in becoming an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Greeter Ministry
Greeters welcome parishioners and guests entering the church for weekend Masses, including the Saturday anticipatory Mass. A single person, a couple, or an entire family can offer this service. Greeters also assist people in making the transition from the noisy, outside world to the quiet, prayerful house of the Lord by opening the doors for them as they enter the church—a very “welcoming” gesture. Greeters take turns according to a schedule, usually for the Mass they plan to attend. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please call the lay pastoral minister.
Lay Pastoral Ministry
Our parish’s lay pastoral minister is responsible for recruiting and scheduling lectors, servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and greeters. The lay pastoral minister is also responsible for visits to our parishioners who are sick, homebound, or in hospice, as well as ministering to Catholics in nursing homes and assisted living centers within our parish boundaries; often these visits are accomplished through the coordination of lay volunteers. The lay pastoral minister is also involved in wakes and funerals. The lay pastoral minister also acts as the head sacristan. To contact the Pastoral Ministry Office, please call the Parish Center.
Lector Ministry
Lectors read from Sacred Scripture during the Liturgy of the Word, enabling those in attendance to more fully enter into the Sacred Mystery of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This ministry is open to all, requiring only that they are able to read and speak reasonably well. Lectors take part in the opening and closing processions, as well as reading the Prayers of the Faithful and, at the end of Mass, any special announcements. Lectors are rotated according to a schedule and are assigned for the Mass they usually attend. Training is very simple and short, and will be provided at any convenient time. Contact the lay pastoral minister if you would like to become a lector.
Liturgical Music
St. Michael’s is blessed with a talented group of musicians and singers. Through their participation as choir members, cantors, accompanists, and instrumentalists, they “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” by leading the sung prayer at the weekend Masses and other special liturgies, such as Holy Day Masses, weddings, and funerals. Students junior high age and older are particularly encouraged to share their gifts whenever possible, but especially during festive celebrations. If you would like to join the liturgical music ministry, please contact the music director.
Mission Helpers
Through various fundraising efforts and the sale of handmade and donated religious goods, the Mission Helpers support the mission of spreading Christ’s message both throughout the United States and in our own parish community. Please contact the head of the Mission Helpers if you would like to join their worthwhile effort.
Rosary Makers
These men and women make rosaries for the missions, prisons, and military. They have also supplied rosaries to all youths in the Faith Formation Program each year. They perform a wonderful service and offer rosary making classes in the Parish Center on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm, September through May. To join, please contact the head of the Rosary Makers.
Sacristans
Sacristans take care of the liturgical preparations for Mass (i.e., the chalice, the water and wine, hosts, candles, lights, servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the liturgical books, unlocking and locking the church entrances, etc.). Sacristans also perform these same preparations for funerals, weddings, and other special circumstances as needed. Reliability and liturgical knowledge are essential characteristics of sacristans. Unlike the rotating schedules of other liturgical ministries (greeters, lectors, servers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion), sacristans perform their service to the church every weekend. If you feel you have the necessary essential characteristics to offer this rather demanding service, please call the lay pastoral minister.
Usher Ministry
The ushers are responsible for supervising the church during weekend Masses, holidays, and other special feast days. They collect the offering, designate gift bearers, and distribute church bulletins and other important information at the conclusion of Masses. If you wish to join the usher ministry, please contact the head usher.