Liturgical Ministries
Explore Our Liturgical Ministries
A liturgical ministry is simply being involved with or assisting with the Mass. While the priest is the presider and main guide for the movement of the liturgy, it is a community effort to complete the Mass. Below are listed several ways you can use your gifts and talents to the beauty of our Mass.
Altar Servers
Our parish altar servers are children (third grade and older) and adults who assist the celebrant in the Sunday celebration of the liturgy, as well as on holy days. Altar servers carry the processional cross and candles, hold the Missal for the celebrant, prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and help receive the gifts of bread and wine. Altar servers must be able to take direction, anticipate what needs to happen during the liturgy, and act in a dignified manner.
Lectors
Lectors are entrusted with the ministry of proclaiming the Sacred Scriptures to those assembled at the Sunday Eucharist. Lectors also raise the community’s prayer to God by leading the Prayer of the Faithful. Individuals interested in this ministry must possess the ability to proclaim the sacred texts intelligibly and comfortably. They must also have the desire to share the Word with others and to grow in their understanding of the Scriptures.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with the distribution of the Lord’s Body and Blood at Mass.
Music Ministry
Dedicated to the patroness of sacred music and neighbor to two world-renowned colleges of music, Saint Cecilia is passionate about music. Our three parish choirs perform from a rich heritage of sacred music spanning fifteen centuries. On any given Sunday you will hear music that reflects the diversity of our tradition—from Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony to choral music of the twenty-first century. The parish choirs and instrumental ensembles support the liturgical assembly at our 9:30, 11:30, and 6:00 p.m Sunday liturgies as well as on major solemnities. The choirs are open to new singers and instrumentalists at any time.
Greeters
Our parish greeters are the first face of the parish, extending a warm welcome to parishioners and visitors. Greeters distribute music programs and bulletins, answer questions, invite people to bring forward our gifts of bread and wine during the Eucharistic Liturgy, and invite parishioners to help with the offertory collection.