What is liturgical ministry?

Liturgical ministers volunteer to serve God and community during Mass or other prayer opportunities. Liturgy is often translated as “the work of the people.” It’s the participation of the People of God in the work of God! Eucharist comes from a word meaning “thanksgiving.” Mass comes from misa, “to be sent.” Put together, we start piecing together the incredible reality of liturgical ministry—we come together to give thanks; receive the Lord’s Body and Blood—his very self; and then we are sent to offer that sacred Presence to the world through our own selves. Liturgical ministry provides a particular opportunity to participate in Jesus’ work to sanctify the world.

What areas of liturgical ministry are there?

• Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EM)
• Lector
• Sacristan
• Altar Server
• Liturgy Host
• Music Minister

There are also ministries that enhance the liturgical life at St. Edward that take place outside of our Sunday Liturgy:

• Altar Linens Care: Help with any of the following: wash, iron, sew and/or repair various liturgical linens.
• Church Environment Crew: Help with indoor decorating/environment for liturgical seasons (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter).  Certain members of this group are part of the “Holy Waterers” to care for indoor plants. Others plant and maintain outdoor flowers/gardens.  If you are interested in helping with any of this, contact Anastasia to be placed on an email list. Come when you are able!
• Wedding Hospitality Minister: Assist and guide the bride and groom in details of the wedding Liturgy. Coordinators typically assist with 3-4 weddings each year. (One coordinator meets with the couple early in the process, and a second helps only during rehearsal/wedding Liturgy.)
• Funeral Planner: Extend the love of Jesus to members of the parish during their time of grief by guiding the grieving family through the planning process of the liturgies of the funeral vigil and funeral Mass. Planners are called upon on an as-needed basis. New planners would be paired with an experienced planner before undergoing the ministry alone.

For More Information

Feel free to contact liturgy/music coordinator Anastasia Nicklaus at [email protected] or give her a call at the church, 319-233-8060.  We want to make sure you are comfortable and as confident as possible in your ministry, so we’ll make sure to give you initial training and continued formation/training.