Ways to Serve
Liturgy & Music
SERVING THE LITURGY
Greeters
These Ministers of Hospitality warmly welcome all who gather for liturgy. Greeters reach out to newcomers and visitors, as well as those who attend Mass weekly. They make all who enter feel at home and invite them to participate fully by providing them with what they need to do so. Greeters are informed and can answer questions about the parish and direct people to the appropriate resource.
Interested in serving as a greeter?
Ushers
Essential to our Ministry of Hospitality, ushers greet people, take up the collection, guide the communion procession and see to the needs of the gathered community. They make sure all liturgical ministers are in place, and that all items needed for Mass are available. Ushers are informed and can answer questions about the parish and direct people to the appropriate resource.
Interested in serving as an usher?
Altar Servers
The altar server assists the presider and enables the liturgy to proceed smoothly. Young people, grades 5 and up, as well as adults, may volunteer. Servers must have respect for the liturgy and reverence for the holy things used at Mass and for the holy actions in which the assembly participates. This ministry begins with one training session, with extra rehearsals required for special celebrations.
Interested in serving as an altar server?
Ministers of Communion
The Communion Rite is the heart and center of the Eucharistic liturgy. Those called to this most beautiful ministry distribute the Body of Christ to the Body of Christ. They care about all who gather at the table of the Lord, and show great reverence for the Eucharist and the People of God. Confirmed, practicing Catholics are invited to prayerfully consider the ministry of Extraordinary Ministers of Communion.
Interested in serving as a communion minister?
Lectors
The ministry of lector is to proclaim God’s Word in the midst of the assembly. A lector must love, pray and study the scriptures. Beyond having a strong, clear voice, an ability to speak with ease and conviction, and good interpretive skills, a lector makes deliberate and careful preparation of the scriptures.
Interested in serving as a lector?
Sacristans
These ministers arrive early to prepare the items for the Eucharistic celebration. They set out hosts and wine, light the candles, turn on the sound system and lights. Sacristans make sure that all liturgical ministers are checked in and communicate with them as necessary.
Interested in serving as a sacristan?
Gift Bearers
Gift Bearers bring up the bread, wine and large collection basket at the offertory. Gift bearers represent the entire parish as we return to God a small part of the many blessings God has given us. It is open to seniors, adults, youth and children who’ve made their First Communion.
Interested in serving as a gift bearer?
Questions?
Cross Bearers
Cross Bearers lead the procession of ministers into the sanctuary for Mass. Carrying the cross requires a good back and upper body strength.
Interested in serving as a cross bearer?
Seasonal Decorating & Sewing
This ministry is perfect for busy people. It is very flexible, consisting of a short time commitment every few months. Decorating the church involves a wide range of jobs including designing, creating, installing, ironing and sewing.
Interested in joining the decorating team?
Plant Care
Tending to the greenery and flowering plants inside and outside the church provides a beautiful and welcoming environment. Materials are provided.
Interested in helping care for our plants?
Laundering Communion Linens
Beautiful linens are an essential part of our liturgical services. Every week, the laundering ministers pick up, wash, iron and return all the linens used for Communion.
Interested in joining the laundering team?
Liturgy Commission
Members of the Liturgy Commission work with the Liturgist to reflect on and guide the parish’s liturgical life in keeping with the church’s established norms and the parish’s strategic plan. If you have a love of liturgy, consider joining this group.
Interested in serving on the Liturgy Commission?
SERVING THROUGH MUSIC
Parish Choir
All God’s children have a voice in the choir! This fun and dedicated group of parishioners supports the sung prayer of the community. Members represent diverse ages, from high school to senior citizens. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30pm.
Interested in joining the choir?
Cantors
Possessing good musical skills, cantors add beauty and artistry to the sung prayer of the assembly. As song leaders, they lead and support the people’s singing. As psalmists, they sing and interpret the verses of the Responsorial Psalm. The ability to learn the music and rehearse on one’s own is expected. An introductory session and updating sessions are required as needed.
Interested in serving as a cantor?
Children’s Choir
This ministry not only enhances our liturgies, it forms and shapes our children in the traditions, teachings and rituals of our faith. Children in grades 2-8 are encouraged to join. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 5:15-6pm.
Interested in the children's choir?
Instrumentalists
Musical art in all its forms serves God’s people at prayer. Instrumentalists are welcome to join our music ministry, and are welcome to play regularly or occasionally at any or all of the liturgies.
Interested in joining our musical team?
LITURGY OF THE WORD
WITH CHILDREN
Presider or Assistant Minister
Using the Children’s Lectionary and materials provided, the presider presents prayers and scripture readings of the day and facilitates age-appropriate discussions for children ages 6 and older during Sunday Mass. Training is provided for new ministers and is renewed annually. The assistant minister helps the children to pray by overseeing the group and seeing to individual needs as they arise. The time commitment for both ministries is once monthly depending upon schedules.
Interested in Liturgy of the Word with Children?
Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults
The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle has a long and dedicated history of providing a variety of ministries to meet the many needs of the parish community. The value of parish programs has also included the unwavering expectation that these ministries take place in a safe and healthy environment grounded in respect for the dignity of all persons participating. In keeping with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, all parish employees as well as all adult volunteer ministers who have either regular or unsupervised interaction with minors or vulnerable adults must complete what the Archdiocese calls the Essential 3:
1. Background check
2. Safe Environment training (including VIRTUS)
3. Signing a Code of Conduct.
These requirements must be renewed every three years.
Ministers younger than 18 who work with children must sign a Youth Code of Conduct and provide two written references from trustworthy adults attesting to their character and dependability for their ministry position. Attending a VIRTUS session is recommended but not required.
In addition, in the event that an incident of abuse is known or suspected, all parish staff and volunteers are committed to fully comply with reporting expectations of both civil and Archdiocesan authorities. Contact us for more information about the Essential 3.
Questions about this policy? Would you like more information?
