What is liturgical ministry?
Liturgical ministers volunteer to serve God and community through helping with the Mass or other prayer opportunities. Together, the liturgical ministries help us share our time and talents so we can live out our call to be the Body of Christ, offering back to the gift of the Liturgy.
The words we use can tell us a lot about what we are doing. 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?
There are many ways that individuals can participate in liturgical ministry. Some roles are out in front, while others are more in the background. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask liturgy/music coordinator Anastasia Nicklaus at a.nicklaus@dbqarch.org or give her a call at the church, 319-233-8060. Also be in touch if you have additional ideas for prayer experiences or liturgical opportunities.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EM): EMs distribute the Body and Blood of Christ during Communion time at Mass. In addition, EMs also may choose to take Communion to those who cannot join us at Sunday Mass through Homebound Ministry. Frequency of scheduling is based on how many EMs are available for each Mass time together with personal preference.
Lector: This ministry involves reading the Scripture at Mass. Lectors don’t just read, though—they are proclaiming the Word of God! J This means you will want to look over and even pray with the Scripture readings ahead of time. (This isn’t as scary as it may sound.) Lectors are generally scheduled about once every 4-6 weeks, but the frequency depends on how many have volunteered at a particular Mass time.
Sacristan: This is a crucial service that is largely behind the scenes. This ministry requires being at the church about a half an hour before Mass to prepare the altar area for the celebration of the liturgy and staying after Mass for about 15-20 minutes to clean up. Weekend sacristans help at one of the weekend Masses. They are typically scheduled for one Mass a month. To begin with, you would be scheduled with someone who is experienced at this until you feel comfortable. Weekday sacristans unlock the church each day and help at weekday Masses.
Altar Server/Altar Assistant: Altar assistants serve at weekend Masses, funerals, weddings and special liturgical events. We may get used to seeing some of our younger members in this ministry, but it is a ministry for anyone. We’d actually like to see families start taking part in this ministry together! Students must be in at least grade 4 to begin this ministry. Frequency of service is dependent on how many servers are available for each Mass time, but for most Mass times, servers are scheduled about 2-3 times per quarter.
Usher: Ushers help prepare assembly area for liturgies. Ushers also provide hospitality by greeting those coming for Mass and helping folks find seats. Ushers collect the offering at the preparation of gifts and assist with the Communion procession. Ushers are scheduled for a certain Mass time for a month at a time, but if you’d like to try out this ministry we could match you with your preferred Mass time for a test run.
Greeter: We want everyone to feel welcome as they enter our church. Greeters provide hospitality at entrances for those coming to worship with us.
Music Minister: There are many ways to share your musical talents/gifts. Music ministers are integral to our celebration, as we are called to “sing the liturgy.”
Accompanist: Plays the piano or organ. You will be paired with a current accompanist to begin—you even could begin by playing just a few songs as you grow into the ministry.
Cantor/Psalmist: Leads assembly vocally; proclaims the psalm at Mass. This can be done in pairs or small groups, also. (New cantors will be paired with an experienced cantor the first few times.)
Instrumentalist: Play an instrument? We may find ways that you could help enhance Mass and other prayer experiences.
Choir Member: Join one of these choirs to praise God in song with others. If you have an idea for another type of choir, be in touch with Anastasia!
Children’s Choir: for students grades 3-6; ministers about once/month during the school year. Weekly rehearsals, currently at 4pm Wednesdays.
Teen choir for grades 7-12; ministers about once/month during school year. All are welcome! Weekly rehearsals; right now, practices are at 3pm Wednesdays.
Celebration Singers: Mixed choir that ministers September-May; They rehearse Monday evenings at 7pm and minister every-other week at 9am Mass, as well as at Christmas and Holy Week liturgies.
Resurrection Choir: Funeral choir open to all! Ministers at funeral Masses, All Souls Mass, and on Good Friday. Weekly rehearsals from 9-10am Tuesdays.
One Voice: Mixed small ensemble; ministers about once/month. Designed for those who want to minister, but without the commitment of weekly rehearsals. This group practices together once in the week before the ministry date (sometimes right before Mass).
Bell choir: We hope to get this back up and going to minister occasionally at liturgy and for special prayer experiences. Note-reading ability is helpful.
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: The environment crew helps 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 Coordinator/Hospitality: Wedding coordinators 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, and a second helps during rehearsal/wedding Liturgy.)
Funeral Planner: Funeral planners extended 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.
What if I might be interested?
Feel free to contact liturgy/music coordinator Anastasia Nicklaus at a.nicklaus@dbqarch.org 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.