Liturgical Ministry

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus began his ministry by calling men and women to follow him. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, his followers continued to do what he had shown them. They assembled to hear the words of Jesus, to sing psalms, to break the bread, to share the wine and to receive strength from the body and blood of Christ. There were, even in those early times, ministries of the proclaimer of the word, the singer of the psalms and the minister of the Eucharist.

The format of the early liturgies slowly evolved over the centuries with the various ministries taking on different interpretations Now, we, the people, who have been baptized, fully-initiated into the Catholic Church by the sacraments of holy Communion and confirmation, are proudly called to continue the tradition of liturgical ministry set by the early church.

Being a liturgical minister in the church means that you have reached a point in your spiritual life that you are ready to give back to God whatever time and talent he has given you. You will use some of your time and talent to say “thank you,” to God for your many blessings. You will give a part of yourself to God and to his people.

Ministry is a single part of the whole of a person’s spiritual life. Cantors, lectors, extraordinary ministers, greeters and ushers are liturgical ministers, and special stewards of the church. Stewardship, or ministry, is a way for us, the lay people, to accept the call from Christ to be “priestly people, kingly people, and God’s chosen people.”

If you have a need to give back to God what God has given you, then you may have a calling to liturgical ministry. If you can die to your own fears and meet the needs of other people, you can experience a feeling of happiness and fulfillment deep inside yourself.

If you want to thank God for all the blessings you have, then you are experiencing the call to "ministry."

There are many opportunities for our parishioners to serve their parish and strengthen their own faith while assisting in the worship celebrations.