Liturgical Ministry

Liturgical Ministries

As a community, we are all called to actively participate in our liturgies through song, prayer, silence, and ritual action.  Some are called to specific liturgical ministries to serve as greeters, ushers, lectors, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, music ministers for the liturgies we celebrate as a parish at St. Mary’s.  Our Sacristans, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Altar Servers, Greeters and Ushers as well as our families who present the Gifts at Mass, all add to the heart of the Eucharistic celebration.   Our liturgy is greatly enriched by the participation of all of our liturgical ministers who bring their special gifts.

Training and guidance are provided to everyone interested in serving in these special ways.  The youth of our parish are especially welcome and encouraged to participate!  Liturgical ministers are scheduled to serve Mass on a rotating basis based on their preferred Mass time.

Sacristans

To assist the celebrating priest, Sacristans arrive at church 20 minutes before their scheduled Mass to prepare the essentials for Mass, setting the Altar and ensuring that the vessels, the bread and wine, and all that is needed are properly laid out for Mass.   Sacristans also help to ensure proper coverage for extraordinary ministers and lectors - if scheduled ministers have not checked in 5 minutes prior to their scheduled Mass, they help to fill these open spots.    Sacristans also help to ensure that everything is returned back to its proper and secure place after Mass.  Sacristans receive training and are scheduled on a rotating basis at their preferred Mass time.

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the Word of God at weekend Masses and special celebrations. One Lector is scheduled for each liturgy.  Skills required are an ability to read in public and to proclaim the Word with enthusiasm, strength, and conviction. You must be confirmed to fulfill this ministry.   Lectors receive training and are scheduled on a rotating basis at their preferred Mass time.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist in the great privilege of giving with great reverence and love, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters. According to the Church’s liturgical norms, special training is given.   Extraordinary Ministers are scheduled to serve Mass on a rotating basis at their preferred Mass time.

Altar Servers

Children:  Open to boys and girls in grades 4 - 12. Altar servers are scheduled on a rotating basis to serve the worshiping community at weekend Masses as well as for special feasts, holy days and seasons in the liturgical year.  Altar Servers are scheduled to serve Mass on a rotating basis at their preferred Mass time.

Adults:  Adult Altar Servers assist the priest during weekday Masses and funerals. 

Greeter

A Greeter's #1 priority is to make everyone feel welcome and at home here at St. Mary Parish.  As people arrive for Mass, Greeters make sure everyone who enters is greeted with a smile and a "Hello" or "Good Morning".   Greeters also answer questions when there are visitors unfamiliar with the parish.  Greeters are scheduled on a rotating basis at their preferred Mass time.

Ushers

Ushers assist seating those attending Mass.   They help to ensure that the collection baskets are safely gathered and placed in a secure location.  Ushers are scheduled on a rotating basis at their preferred Mass time.

Liturgy Committee

This committee is made up of the heads of liturgical ministries and other members of the St. Mary's community. Participants assist in planning the liturgical life of the parish, especially those celebrations that highlight the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The purpose of the Liturgy Committee is to create an ever-more enriching environment within which to worship. Our goal is to foster the building up of the Body of Christ through active participation in the liturgy.

Parishioners interested in helping to plan, coordinate and evaluate the liturgical events are invited to join the committee, which meets once a month for two hours.

Rick Vacca: 508.753.0230

Art & Environment

Members of this committee plan the liturgical environment of the church throughout the year with a special emphasis on the seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter.

Lisa Ferguson 508.523.3371

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

The Liturgy of the Word with Children takes place on Sundays during the 9:00 am Mass. Adults lead this worship geared to children. Some preparation is required for each week and materials are provided.

Larry Cardani 508.842.4225

Music Ministry

Cantors

The cantor leads the parish community in song during liturgical services.

Rick Vacca: 508.753.0230

Parish Choir

Adults make up this choir that leads the congregation in a variety of hymns and service music at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 10:30 am in St. Mary’s School.

Rick Vacca: 508.753.0230

St. Mary’s Children’s Parish Choir

This choir is made up of parish children, ages 5 through 16 who are interested in leading the liturgy in music along with singing some children appropriate choral pieces.

Jan Cappello: 508.393.3189

St. Mary’s Children’s School Choir

A choir made up of children from St. Mary’s School sing at special school liturgies throughout the academic year.

Contemporary Ensemble

This musical group plays at the Sunday 5:30 p.m. mass.

 

Musicians

Instrumentalists play at special liturgical celebrations.

Rick Vacca: 508.753.0230

Sacristy & Linen Cleaning

Parishioners accept responsibility for cleaning and maintaining candles, altar linens, and vestments for our many liturgical celebrations. Sacristans do light cleaning and dusting in the sanctuary and the sacristy.

Pat Pennucci: 508-842-0901

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The Blessed Sacrament is exposed every Tuesday, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in the church. Members commit to one hour or one-half hour of adoration and prayer before the Eucharistic presence of our Lord.

 

Prayer Line

Members pray for expressed needs and pass special prayer requests on to others. Parishioners with prayer requests can call any member listed in the bulletin.

Tracy Keating: 508.842.2279