Become a Mass Minister at OLPH
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” —John 12:26
As an OLPH Mass Ministry team member, you elevate the worship and beauty of the mass and welcome others to experience worship more fully.
Sacristan
(From the Latin sacristanus, based on Latin sacer, sacr- ‘sacred.’ Meaning one who is entrusted with sacred things.) Sacristans assist by preparing the sanctuary for the celebration of the Mass. They will typically arrive early to dress the altar, gather the sacred vessels, and other articles needed. At the end of Mass, they will also assist in setting up for the upcoming Mass, if there is one. Opportunities to serve for Daily Mass, Weekend Mass, Baptisms and Funerals based on availability. Training for the details of this role will be provided to those interested in assisting.
Lector
Lectors have the honor of proclaiming the readings from Sacred Scripture at each Mass, apart from the Gospel which is read by a priest or deacon. As Scripture itself tells us, “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing between sword and spirit, joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Through clear and authoritative proclamation of the sacred texts, the Lector becomes God’s instrument in “tilling the soil” of the hearts of all who hear, preparing them to encounter the Lord even deeper through the Gospels and the Liturgy of the Eucharist later in the Mass. In the absence of a deacon a lector may also be called upon to lead the Prayer of the Faithful.
Altar Server
Altar servers receive a “front row seat” to the miracle of the Mass, assisting the celebrant and deacons in various ways throughout the liturgy. An Altar Server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during the liturgy of the Mass. An Altar Server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as carrying the crucifix in processions, holding the book of prayers or announcements for the priest, and preparing the Altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Youth in grade 4th or older are invited to attend training to become an Altar Server.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
While the celebrant is the “ordinary” minister of Holy Communion, pastors may choose to enlist the help of lay ministers as needed, for the distribution of Holy Communion. These extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are entrusted with our greatest treasure – our Eucharistic Lord, and engage in a sacred and profound act of charity by bringing Him to all who are ready to receive. On occasion, EMHC are invited to bring Holy Communion to home-bound parishioners unable to worship with us in-person.
Ministers of Hospitality
People experience the presence of Christ in the world through the ministry of the Church and her members. Christian hospitality is the visible expression of Chrsitian love; drawing people together; opening them to participation in the life of the Church; and setting the tone for the way we pray at Mass. More than just performing functions, the goal of this ministry is to make the love of Jesus more visible and tangible to everyone who comes to Mass. While on a practical level, Ministers of Hospitality will open doors and warmly greet all who come to Mass; assist with distribution of our collection baskets; tend to the needs of our guests while they are with us; and distribute bulletins and other materials as parishioners head home. While there are tasks to be done, at the heart of the ministry is, there are people to love, so that every action we offer is in love of the Lord and love for our neighbor.
Audio/Visual Tech
A/V Techs are an essential role within our Mass Ministry and Music Ministry teams, ensuring that our beautiful music is at its highest quality as it reaches the ears of the congregation and that our worship services can be streamed by those who are joining us online. A/V Techs are taught how to use our sound mixer board, run lyrics for our Masses and Festivals of Praise, and livestream our services to reach those who cannot join us in person. Thanks to the work of our A/V Team, our worship here at OLPH can now be shared with believers worldwide!