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Liturgical Ministries

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: 
if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;
if ministry, in ministering;
if one is a teacher, in teaching;
if one exhorts, in exhortation;
if one contributes, in generosity;
if one is over others, with diligence;
if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8

Altar Servers

Altar servers have the honor and privilege of assisting the priest in the sanctuary during the Sacred Liturgy. This ministry is vital to the celebration of the liturgy, whether it be Mass, adoration, one of the hours of the Divine Office, or the celebration of a Sacrament. Through the ministry of Altar Server, those who serve bring the entire community closer to the experience of the Divine.

"The closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the word and the body of the Lord; the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received.” (Pope Francis)

Any member of our Parish who has received his or her first Holy Communion and is at least in the third grade is invited to become an Altar Server. An in person training, led by the Pastoral Associate for Worship, is required.

If you are interested, please contact Anthony Gallina.


Lectors

“When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy”  (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 29).

Lectors serve the people of God gathered together by proclaiming Sacred Scripture during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass and also at other liturgies. In this ministry, the lector proclaims the Risen Christ Jesus to the Church. As Saint Jermone said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Without the Word, we in our humanity would fail. The lector prepares for her/his role by rehearsing and praying over and coming to understand the biblical text assigned her/him for a particular liturgical celebration. Each lector is a given a copy of Workbork for Lectors from Liturgy Training Publications which has all of the readings for Sundays and holydays throughout the liturgical year.

Lectors must have a gift for public speaking. Proclamation is much different than just reading aloud. If you are interested in becoming a lector, please contact Anthony Gallina who will get you scheduled for training and formation. The Lector Coordinator and scheduler will also contact you.


Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) assist the Ordinary Ministers (the clergy) in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. Lumen gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, says, “The faithful indeed, by virtue of their royal priesthood, share in the offering of the Eucharist” (no. 10). Through the ministry of distributing the Body and Blood of Christ to our brothers and sisters, we fulfill Christ’s mandate of coming to serve rather than being served.

In addition to distributing Holy Communion at Mass, EMHCs may bring communion to our brothers and sisters who are sick and homebound, in the hospital, or in nursing homes. In the fullest form of "communion", the EMHC will bring the Eucharist directly from the celebration of Mass, if possible. The Eucharist is carried in a vessel called a pyx which is placed in a burse—a pouch hung around the neck.

During this time of the COVID pandemic, we must follow the guidelines of each specific nursing home. Most are currently only allowing an EMHC to visit one patient or resident per day.

To serve as an EMHC, persons must be practicing Catholics, distinguished in their Christian life, faith and morals, be at least 16 years old, and be fully initiated—that is, have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. They must also demonstrate a deep reverence for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.

Per diocesan policy, a formation and training session is required every two years. This happens during the odd-numbered years. Each person's name is then submitted to the Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo who appoints them to this ministry. The Pastor of Saint Wendelin then commissions EMHCs with a blessing during Mass.

If you are interested in becoming a EMHC, please contact Anthony Gallina.


Gift Bearers

Gift bearers help bring forward the offerings of bread, wine, and the collection during the celebration of Mass. This ministry usually takes two to three people and is a wonderful opportunity for families with children to become involved in the liturgy. This is also a meaningful ministry to partake in if the Mass is being offered for a loved one. 

There is no training required! If you would like to be a gift bearer, pick up the small cross on the gifts table by the baptismal font prior to the beginning of Mass. When it is time for the offertory procession, bring the cross back, place it on the table, and then when the priest is standing at the front of the steps, process forward with the gifts.


Mass Coordinators

Mass Coordinators help set up all the liturgical properties for the celebration of Mass. They also help the Weekend Coordinator ensure that all ministries are filled prior to Mass beginning. Coordinators arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to the celebration of Mass to begin setting up. After Mass is completed, they wash the sacred vessels and put them away.

Mass Coordinators serve during specified months - usually two months out of the year. Training with the Pastoral Associate for Worship or the Parish Activities Coordinator is necessary. Contact Anthony Gallina or Tami Honse if you are interested in becoming a Mass Coordinator.


Ushers

All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25:35).
Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims.
The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 53:1-2

An usher’s main job is to be friendly and helpful to all our parishioners and guests. Ushers provide many services including: helping people find a seat during Mass, passing the offertory baskets, guiding the communion procession, and generally assisting anyone who needs help during the liturgy. Ushers are also trained in CPR, how to use an AED, and to administer first aid should anybody attending Mass have a medical emergency.

All adult parishioners, male and female alike, are welcome to be ushers. If you are interested in becoming an usher, please contact Tami Honse.


Greeters

All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25:35).
Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims.
The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 53:1-2

Similar in function to the ushers, greeters stand at the doors to the nave (the body) of the church and open the door for those attending Mass. This ministry finds its roots in the Order of Porter, which was the first of seven steps for a man who was seeking priesthood. TThe purpose of the being a Greeter is to welcome parishioners and visitors, making them feel comfortable as they arrive at church. By warming greeting them with a sincere smile, a warm handshake and a loving hello, Greeters help to prepare those entering church for worship. These very simple acts of kindness set the tone for a welcoming community whose center is Jesus Christ.

Greeters may consist of individuals, couples, or families, including children. If you are interested in becoming an usher, please contact Tami Honse.


Art and Environment

The members of the Art and Environment Committee help by providing enhancement to the worship space throughout the year. Keeping in line with liturgical norms as laid out in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship, members of the committee seek to give worshippers a transcendent experience by tastefully decorating for each liturgical season. The big decorating seasons are Christmas and Easter, usually taking a few hours to transform the space from Advent and Lent, respectively.

If you are interested in joining the Art and Environment Committee, please contact Anthony Gallina or Nan Schuett.