Liturgical Ministries

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit, there are different forms of service but the same Lord… To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

1 Corinthians 12:4, 5, 7

Serving as a liturgical minister is a way to live our authentic Christian lives: being committed to our calling in baptism to serve our Lord and one another. Our liturgies should utilize the talents and gifts that God has given this faith community to the fullest extent. Whether participation “behind the scenes” preparation and planning or through a public role of service within the Mass, parishioner contributions help our liturgies to be truly life-giving celebrations. We invite you to prayerfully reflect on the gifts God has given you and consider sharing your time and talents serving on our liturgical ministries.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)
  • These ministers assist the Presider in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during our liturgies as well as to parishioners who are homebound, hospitalized or residing in nursing homes.
Altar Servers

Mission

  • St. Rita Altar Server Ministry is a group of young people who assist the priests and deacons by serving on the altar in a prayerful manner during Holy Mass. It is an extreme privilege to kneel so close to the altar as our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, becomes truly present, body, blood, soul and divinity, at the moment of Consecration. An altar server is uniquely joined in the Heavenly Supper of the Lamb and serves in the company of those eternally singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” An altar server has a solemn responsibility to do the assigned duties with attention, dignity and reverence.

Responsibilities

  • There are several duties involved with being an altar server; however, the most important is that of prayer leader. As an altar server, you will help those attending Mass listen. Nothing you do will be a distraction to those who are trying so hard to hear. You will help the service flow smoothly so that the congregation can concentrate on all the wonderful sounds surrounding them: the music, the priest’s prayers, and the words of Scripture. With your help, their time of worship will be more meaningful. You will be responding along with everyone else, praying and singing, so when people see you participating so actively in the Mass, they will feel more comfortable about joining in themselves. As you can see, altar servers have an important leadership role in the celebration of Mass.

Training

  • Periodic group training sessions are announced in the bulletin and or individual training sessions can be scheduled. Any boy or girl who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion is eligible to begin training.

Time Commitment

  • Servers will be scheduled to serve one to two times per month according to the Mass time preferred. However, it is always appreciated when trained servers check in at the Sacristy before Mass begins to make themselves available, if needed.

 

Lectors
  • As a result of the Second Vatican Council, the laity were empowered to proclaim the Word of God by reading the Scripture selections at Mass. Even when ministers of a higher rank are present (e.g. priests and deacons), the laity are still charged with proclamation of the Word. St. Rita’s Lector Ministry is a response to this mandate.
  • Lectors are expected to read the Scripture passages reverently and “transparently,” meaning the Word itself (not the proclaimer) takes center stage. Our voices are a vessel through which God speaks to his people of his love and tenderness. Everything from our prayerful preparation, to our body language and our voice stylistics, should communicate God’s love for his people.

Lector Resposibilities

  • St. Rita’s Lectors proclaim the reading from the Old Testament and the New Testament at all Sunday Liturgies and on Holy Days of Obligation (the Gospel is read by the priest or deacon). Lectors are expected to have engaged in prayerful preparation and practice prior to Mass. Please arrive 15 minutes early to confirm with the presider, and your fellow Lector, that you are present before taking your seat in the congregation. Generally, Lectors are scheduled to read at the Mass time they customarily attend.

 

Ushers
  • Usher-Greeters serve in a vital ministry of hospitality, offering a warm welcome to all who enter St. Rita Catholic Church. Usher-Greeters ensure that they attend to the needs of others, also hand out any liturgy guides that may be needed for Mass and assist those attending Mass in finding preferred seats. Additionally, these liturgical ministers collect offerings, direct the orderly procession of those receiving communion, distribute bulletins after Mass and straighten up the Church after each service.

Mission

  • To serve and greet all who come to St. Rita Catholic Church with a friendly smile and a good attitude and to be helpful before, during, and after Mass.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Ushers are needed at each Mass celebrated at St. Rita on weekends, Holy Days of Obligation, and for funerals.

 

Altar Care (St. Teresa)
  • This rewarding ministry is responsible for taking care of the main altar, chapel, sacristy and confessional in addition to washing/ironing all linens and taking the Priest and Deacon’s vestments to the dry cleaner.
  • Those who serve in this ministry also wash the vessels and the holy water fonts as well as replace the candles on a weekly basis throughout the year.
  • Training is available when new volunteers come forward to serve as well as having an instructional booklet provided. Volunteers are always needed for this ministry.
Art & Environment
  • This team works behind the scenes to transform our worship environment to heighten the awareness of the festive, solemn, or penitential nature of the different liturgical seasons. We celebrate liturgical time with a hands-on approach, changing the colors of the Sanctuary and adornments. Our team is a group of hardworking and dedicated individuals who are generous with their gifts of time and talent.

Mission

  • To maintain the integrity of the Church’s liturgical seasons and to create an atmosphere of welcome and spiritual expression for the honor and glory of God. We work to create a worship space conducive to prayer and centered on the Eucharistic celebration.

Opportunities

  • There is a great deal of talent in our parish. There are decorators, people who sew, flower arrangers, potters, metal welders, weavers, artists, and more. All people who wish to give the gift of human hands and their love of serving our Lord are welcome. A variety of helpers are needed to prepare a prayerful atmosphere in the worship space throughout the liturgical year. This includes:
    • Seasonal decorating crews
    • Planning, designing and creating
  • All who have an interest in preparing our parish home for our liturgical celebrations are invited to participate in this ministry. We also welcome artists of various medias to help envision new ideas and approaches and work on various projects throughout the year.