Liturgical Ministries

Adults who are formed in the Ministry of Altar Serving offer support not only with serving the Mass and the rituals of the funeral liturgy but also through their prayerful presence during the liturgical celebration.

Formation for Adult Servers is provided twice a year for new members so that they may have an understanding of their role within funeral liturgies. Experienced servers also attend these formation sessions. We also gather annually for a retreat experience.

Adult Servers need to have flexible schedules so that they can be available as needed. They rarely receive more than a 2-3 day request to serve at a funeral liturgy.

Adult Servers are extremely generous with their responses to our requests. They are a blessing to our priests, families and Funeral Liturgy Team. 

The American Martyrs Children's Choir is open to all children in Grades 4 - 8.   

We rehearse most Thursday's during the academic year. New singers are welcome ANY time. The children build up a repertoire of sacred and secular music to present to different senior residential homes throughout the year.

Eucharistic Ministers assist the presider in sharing the Eucharist at Mass with reverence and dignity. 

This ministry is open to active, confirmed parishioners and training is provided as needed.

The Hospitality Ministry is responsible for welcoming families and individuals to the parish. At Mass, they assist in seating parishioners, collecting the monetary offerings, selecting people to bring the gifts to the altar, directing people toward the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and handing out bulletins after Mass.

Hospitality Ministers serve at Weekend Masses, Holy Days and large Funerals. Outside of Mass, they serve as a welcoming presence at parish-wide special events. 

We are grateful for the dedication of our current Hospitality Ministry Leadership Team - Traci Britton, Tom Hanrahan, David Judd, Susan & Tony Kalinowski and Warren Welters. 

Lectors have the unique responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God to those assembled for worship. Lectors are people of faith who have nurtured a relationship with God and offer their service as lay ministers to read from the Lectionary during the Liturgy of the Word. They are members of the community of faith joining family, friends and strangers gathered for worship to our God.

As readers of the Word, lectors share in a sacred process. They present the Word to the assembly.

“When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to His people, and Christ, present in His Word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance to the Liturgy.”  (General Instructions of the Roman Missal, 29).

Lectors don't just read, they proclaim the Word of God. With careful preparation, Lectors convey in each reading the depth of the sacred text to all the faithful at Mass. Those serving in this ministry receive training and are given appropriate materials for their preparation to read. At Mass, lectors serve as a bridge between the Scriptures and the faithful.

Parishioners who wish to become part of this ministry are invited to register their names and address for inclusion in the list of candidates awaiting auditions and training as the need arises for replacements.

Liturgical environment members provide visual enhancement for the weekly liturgy with floral arrangements, scenery and banners that coordinate with the liturgical calendar.

They also prepare for special liturgical celebrations, including the Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons.

The Music and Choir Ministry provides Music for the Masses and other services, engaging the assembly in songs and acclamations as we worship and pray together. 

A  basic ability to sing and read music is desired, thought not absolutely necessary. Membership in the four choirs for voices and instruments is by addition, at the discretion of the director.

"I'm setting out the vessels, Lord.  I'm reaching for cups and plates, pitchers, and bowls.  Now they are empty. Soon they will hold the bread and wine that will become your body and blood.  Make me a vessel, Lord.  Open my heart and make me you to all I meet today. Amen." 

Sacristans are parishioners who have had experience in one or more of our liturgical ministries such as Lector, Eucharistic Ministers or Altar Society. This ministry also welcomes new members at any time and is open to parishioners who have the desire to learn more about the Mass and the preparation of our liturgical celebrations.

Since most of the tasks take place in the Sacristy, this is a “behind the scenes” ministry. Sacristans support the presider and other liturgical ministers in the preparation for the celebration of the Eucharist. They carefully arrange the liturgical books and sacred vessels for each Mass and interact with the lectors and ministers of Holy Communion as needed at each liturgy.

The ministry of sacristan requires on-going formation so that the sacristans can assist our priests, other liturgical ministers and our worshiping community with a sense of grace and reverence at weekend and daily Masses.

It is a privilege to serve at the Altar of our God.  Servers have a responsibility to serve with dignity and reverence.

The primary role of the altar server is to assist and support priests and deacons in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through the servers' prayerful presence, specific actions and active participation in the liturgy (hymns, responses, etc.) setting an example to the congregation.

Youth are invited to be formed in the Ministry of Altar Serving during the second half of the 5th grade school year.  Servers need to know all the prayers of the Mass and be active members of the parish and believe in the teachings of The Holy Catholic Church.

Altar Server Training Video

Contacts: Mary Hannon; Alice Kuo