LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

EMULATE CHRIST’S MINISTRY OF SERVICE Bring together the diverse population of our parish membership to participate in and enhance the liturgical experience for everyone. Liturgical Ministers’ hospitality and gracious acceptance of others will contribute to their own spiritual growth and enhance the spiritual growth of others. Our liturgical celebrations, enriched by the service of these Ministers, will deepen the faith and spirituality of all.

Must be an active parishioners for the following four  ministries:

Sacristans*
Assist before and after weekend and special liturgies by preparing and properly placing the items needed for each Mass, i.e. holy water, Sacramentary, candles, hosts and wine, etc.

Lectors*
Proclaim God’s living Word at all Masses, based on a rotational schedule. Must be an active parishioner.

Eucharistic Ministers*
Assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion with reverence and dignity at Mass. Must be a confirmed parishioner.

Altar Servers (youth) *
Open to youth 4^th grade and older. Assist the priest with specific duties, in a reverent and prayerful manner, at weekend Masses and special liturgies.

Gift Bearers
Present the bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist at weekend liturgies. Minimal training required.

Greeter at Mass
Provide a friendly smile, a welcoming hello, and an optional handshake or open the door for those entering church.

Usher
Welcome people to worship, tending their needs, helping them find a place, gathering their gifts during the collection, directing them during communion and bidding them farewell when the service concludes.

Weekday Eucharistic Minister, Lector or Altar Servers (adult) *
All are welcome to serve at weekday Masses.

Altar Linen Ministry
Wash and iron altar linens and purificators used during Mass. Minimal training required.

Candle Ministry
Check, clean, and replace votive candles on weekends, check candelabras after special occasions: prepare and clean Easter Vigil candles. Minimal training required.

Church Environment Team
Our church decor/environment incorporates beauty and liturgical meaning. This team implements suggestions given by Liturgy Committee as well as add their own ideas for creating a welcoming, seasonal, sacred space. Some tasks include tending fresh flowers, or decorating for liturgical seasons.

Worship Committee
Evaluate the experiences relating to the liturgical life of the parish. This includes prayer, public worship, song, and environment. Responsibility includes preparation and evaluation of the seasons and events of the liturgical year. Preparation is carried out in a manner that makes each liturgy a spiritual and communal celebration. Meets one evening each month. Membership is limited.

Nursery Attendant
Watch younger children play in an adult supervised environment while parents are attending the Sunday morning 10:00am Mass. Must be 18 years of age or older or assisted by an adult if age 10-17. Serve once every 3 months, September through May.      

Lead Lenten Stations of the Cross
Material is read from Lenten books. Simple training is provided. Serve once as a leader, or more times if you wish. If you are not sure about singing, we can team you up with someone who can. Stations are 7pm Tuesdays in the Church during Lent. Serve as an individual or as a family. 

LITURGICAL MUSIC

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD! Our Music Ministers at St. John’s are those individuals or small ensembles whose primary purpose is to lead and support the assembly in prayer and music by inviting and engaging the assembly without dominating or diminishing their active participation. This group of individuals is committed to leading music at weekend and other special Masses, uniting the assembly through prayer and song and sharing in the Eucharistic celebration.

Cantors/Musicians
New cantors and musicians must actively participate in a larger group (Spirit Singers or 5:15 group) for at least one season prior to being considered for leadership at weekend liturgies.

Spirit Singers 
Participants must be committed to practicing with the group on a regular basis. Spirit Singers consist of men and women, age 16 or older, who sing unison to 4-part choral/hymn song with instrumentation as available. The Spirit Singers are currently scheduled to sing the first (1^st) and third (3^rd) weekend of the month from late September through May, rotating at each Mass time. Complete schedule available.

Small Ensembles
The assembly truly respons to small groups of music leaders. Based on interest, we continue to work to form small ensembles of singers and instumentalists. Possible formation could include  men’s group, women’s group, mixed group. Would rotate leading at all Mass times.

LIT Band
See “Youth Opportunities”

Instrumentalists
Do you play an instrument? Share your talent by playing at special Masses throughout the year and especially for Christmas and easter Masses.

Choir for Christ  
This choir is for youth in 2^nd – 8^th grades. This group generally practices a couple of times a month and sings at all Mass times on a rotating schedule. Complete schedule available. PLEASE JOIN US!!!

Funeral Choir
Sing, as requested, for funeral liturgies on weekdays and weekends.

Music Leaders for Assisted Living Facilities
Musicians interested in this new ministry would need to be available during the day and be capable of leading music with the residents with or without instrumental accompaniment. They would make the selections for music with guidance from the Director of Liturgy. Ideally, this will include a rotating schedule, year round.

SPIRITUAL DEVOTION

Choose either quiet reflection to look within your self and connect with Christ or join in group prayer or faith sharing.

Perpetual Adoration
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is our response to Jesus’ love for us, whereby each of us is willing to spend a quiet holy hour of prayer in His Eucharistic Presence. Consider signing up for an hour of adoration once a week.                                     

Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary’s mission is to strengthen the body of Christ in the Church by prayers, works and evangelization. Interested? Come to a meeting and listen to field reports from other members. Meetings are Wednesdays 9am  in the Marian Room, St. John’s Parish Office. Call for more information.          

Marian Prayer Group
Come join us Thursdays 7pm in the Adoration Chapel as we pray using the format recommended by Our Blessed Mother at Medjugorje. We pray especially for priests.

Rosary Leader before Mass
Are you looking for a way to express your spirituality? Consider leading the rosary 20 minutes before Mass on weekends.                                          

Prayer Network Ministry by phone
This is a phone network of parishioners who pray for any serious/emergency situation.

Email Prayer Network Ministry
Network members are notified by email to pray for any serious/emergency situation. 

Traveling Trust Box for Vocations
Accept the Traveling Trust Box at a mass of your choosing, display it prominently in your home and pray daily the prayers that accompany the box for a week. Pray for all vocations, but particularly for religious vocations. You may add your own prayer intentions to the box.