As you reflect upon the gifts with which God has blessed you, please prayerfully if the Holy Spirit is nudging you to serve the parish at Mass. A host of opportunities are waiting for you here at St. Joan of Arc.
For the liturgy to be celebrated well, and so that the People of God may be led to full, conscious, and active participation, many liturgical ministers are needed. Together with the priest, the ministers such as lectors, choir, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, servers, and ushers, assist the assembly of the faithful in praying as the one Body of Christ in the liturgy, which means “the work of the people.”
All liturgical ministers exist for the service of the Body of Christ, the People of God, the assembly gathered in God’s name. Although serving in any of these ministries should be a source of joy and satisfaction for individual people, these ministries exist for the benefit and service of the Church and not for individual or personal piety, spiritual growth, or status. As such, these ministries are regulated by Church and Liturgical law. Therefore, the pastor has the final approval of all liturgical ministers before they can begin service at the Mass.
(For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1061-1075)
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Altar Servers
Our altar servers are young people wishing to be part of a team that works together for an orderly and prayerful celebration of Mass. Therefore, regular attendance at Sunday Mass is an important element and an expectation. Altar serving should be a joyful experience, and can draw both the server and their family into a deeper experience of their faith. Servers should plan to serve at least once a month.
A server must be in the fifth grade or older and will be trained in the liturgy. If you are interested in serving, click the Server Commitment button below to complete the online form. Training will be in small groups and will take place during the school day for SJA students, and after the 10:30 Mass on Sunday for students from other schools. You will be contacted as the sessions are arranged. A parent approval form must be signed at that time.
If you have any questions regarding altar servers, please contact Tricia Kane at [email protected] or the parish office at 847-673-0409.
We are grateful for your service to this ministry as an altar server and look forward to working with you.
Eucharistic Ministers
“I am the living bread that comes down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give to the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51)
The Eucharist is the primary liturgical event for the renewal of faith because it celebrates the paschal mystery that is the foundation of the Christian faith. Today, most Catholics receive the Eucharist at every mass they attend.
Contact Coordinator Christy King or the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Lectors
The mission of the lectors is to understand and proclaim the Word of God so that all those present receive the message of God. Ministers of the Word need to not only be effective communicators but also be able to absorb and express the spirit of the Liturgy. Lectors should spend time during the week to prepare the readings for Sunday so they are able to bring the story of the Gospel to the parishioners in an interesting manner, much like storytelling. Lectors are asked to arrive at least 10 minutes before Mass to check the lectionary, read through the Prayers of the Faithful and be informed of any last minute changes. Training for new lectors is held each fall.
Contact Coordinator Steve Naughton or the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Sacristans
Preparing the liturgy and taking care of the elements of our liturgy is an important task for our sacristans. We look to them to water the plants in the sanctuary area, take care of the altar linens, cruets, candles, and maintain the cleanliness and order of the sacristy.
Contact the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Ushers
Ushers provide for the good order of our liturgies. They greet and welcome parishioners and visitors at church entrances, and direct people to available pews. They collect envelopes and donations to take up for the collections, arrange for parishioners to bring up the offerings, direct communicants to the altar, open windows, set up additional chairs, assist in times of illness, distribute bulletins after Mass, and straighten up the pews when the liturgy is completed.
Contact the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
