Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical Ministries are those which support activities before, during and after Mass. Liturgical ministry is an excellent opportunity to fulfill your baptismal call of service to one another. Our liturgies utilize the talents and gifts that God has given this community to the fullest extent. Whether participation is through “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.

Liturgical lay ministries include lectors (Ministers of the Word) who proclaim scriptural passages during the Eucharist, altar servers and acolytes who assist the priest at the altar, cantors and music ministers who lead the singing, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who serve during Mass and/or who take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound, and ushers or ministers of hospitality who direct the seating and procession of the assembly.

Please prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries.

Before You Serve

Virtus Volunteering (18+)

For All Adult Volunteers

Worthy of the Call
(14-17)

Child and Youth Protection Training for teens

  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, & Greeters

    Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with the distribution of the Eucharist at Sunday and weekday liturgies.

    Lectors perform the ministry of proclaiming God’s Word, the sacred scriptures, at the liturgies.

    Ushers provide hospitality, assist with seating parishioners and guests, collect the gifts of the community, and assist with the presentation of the gifts during the liturgy. They also see to special needs of members of the community as they gather for worship.

    Greeters are the first face of the parish. By warmly welcoming everyone who arrives at Mass, they help create a sense of belonging for those who attend.

    To obtain more information, or volunteer to serve St John in one of these ministries, please contact Helen Kirby at hkirby@stjohnsp.org.

  • Altar Servers

    Altar servers assist at the celebration liturgy on Sundays, weekdays, major feasts, funerals, and weddings. Boys and girls from fifth grade through high school are eligible for this ministry. New server training takes place each summer. Click the link to view the St. John Altar Server Manual. Contact: Helen Kirby at hkirby@stjohnsp.org.

  • Music Ministry

    Our parish is blessed to have gifted singers and skillful instrumentalists, both professional and lay musicians, who participate in our ministry week after week. It is our goal to present music that glorifies, edifies, and ministers to the saints who worship with us. Our parish Music Ministry engages parishioners of all ages and style preferences. Contact Helen Kirby at hkirby@stjohnsp.org.

    Youth in grades 4-8 are invited to join our Jubilate Singers. For more information please contact Helen Kirby or Mary Tamplin at mtamplin@verizon.net.

  • Mary & Martha Altar Society

    Women and men of this ministry care for the sanctuary in preparation for prayer and liturgical celebrations. Linens, or holy pieces, are reverently soaked, washed, dried and ironed. Holy vessels, candlesticks and candelabras, crucifixes and thuribles are gently cleaned and polished. Vestments for clergy and altar servers are humbly maintained and hung with care. Contact Lisa Ryan lisafryan@verizon.net.

  • Arimathean Ministry

    Volunteers prepare the altar for funeral Masses, they greet, direct, and comfort mourners, and serve as lectors and communion ministers if requested, and send sympathy cards to the families. Contact: Jennifer Harbauer at jharbauer@stjohnsp.org.

  • Art & Environment Ministry

    Members enhance the Sanctuary and the Gathering Space for the liturgical seasons and various celebrations so that the meaning of the season or occasion is heightened. Linens, textiles, flowers, and plants are typically used. The ministry consists of a team of parishioners who care deeply about liturgy and either have artistic talent or a good artistic sense. The team members and coordinator rotate weekends and feast days. Major feasts such as Palm Sunday, Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas require the efforts of the full team. If you would like to assist with decorating the church, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at church@stjohnsp.org.

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