Ministries of Worship

-Liturgical Advisory Committee
-Altar Server
-Church Décor Team
-Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
-Lectors
-Church Usher

                                                                      

Liturgical Advisory Committee

Purpose
The overall purpose of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Liturgy Committee is to promote a worthy, fruitful, and prayerful celebration of the Church’s liturgy within the Parish by promoting and facilitating individual spiritual growth and an increase in holiness.  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium #10, et al), issued by the Second Vatican Council, reminds us that our “liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed … [and] the liturgy is the outstanding means by which the faithful can express in their lives and manifest in others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the Church.”   It does this by promoting, encouraging, and facilitating a more full and active participation by the gathered assembly in the celebration of the liturgy.

To fulfill their role, the Liturgy Committee collaborates with the Pastor, Parochial Vicar, the Parish Council, other parish personnel and committees.  It develops and establishes objectives to realize and accomplish parish, diocesan, and ecclesiastical goals and norms in the area of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and other forms of parish worship. 

The Committee meets once a month for a total of ten (10) meetings scheduled during the year (September through June).  There are normally no scheduled Liturgy Committee meetings during the summer months.

Responsibilities

1. Set goals and objectives for the development of the spiritual life of the parish.
2. Carefully discern the parish’s worship, liturgical, and prayer needs.
3. Ensure compliance with established liturgical directives, guidelines, norms, and policies of the parish, diocese, and the universal Church.
4. Develop, plan, and evaluate liturgy and spiritual development programs that will enable the entire parish to grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
5. Periodically analyze and honestly critique the liturgical needs of the parish community; the quality of the liturgy presented; and identify areas in need of improvement.
6. Recommend to the pastor and Pastoral Council appropriate changes to the parish’s liturgical policies, procedures, and worship space to facilitate the liturgical life of the parish.
7. Oversee and furnish, decorate, and maintain the liturgical environment in such a way that it reflects, promotes, and supports the liturgical life of the parish.
8. Ensure that the selection, integration, and performance of music follows universal, national, and regional norms; especially regarding seasonal and thematic appropriateness and its ability to invite and embrace the full participation of the assembly.
9. Educate all members of the parish faithful through study, prayer, and participation in workshops and seminars, and to encourage parishioners to participate in these programs.
10. Assist, if/as needed, the pastor with preparing an annual budget for the present and future liturgical needs of the parish.
11. Coordinate the planning and scheduling for the liturgical celebrations for seasonal (Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas, etc.) and special feasts, Holy Days, and Franciscan Feast days, etc.
12. Coordinate and oversee the preparation, functioning, and evaluation of all liturgical ministries in the parish (e.g., Lectors, EMHCs, Altar Servers, Ushers, etc.).
13. Oversee the continuing education of the parish in/on liturgical matters; through parish bulletins; presentations; informative posters; etc.
14. Other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Pastor.

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
Members of the committee listen to the needs and concerns of the community in discerning choices that will promote "full and active participation" of the community in our liturgy. Members welcome the gifts of the community and seek to promote ways in which each member of the assembly can share his or her gifts in the service of others.

The committee’s membership includes representatives of the parish’s organizations whose missions are of a liturgical nature and directly impact parish liturgy.  Directing the process of liturgical planning, preparation, and review is a core group of Liturgy Committee Members. 

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Church Décor Team

The Church décor team comes together several times throughout the year to enhance the seasonal beauty of our worship space. Special attention is given to seasons of Christmas and Easter. The coordinator of this ministry designs the scheme for decorating and assists the team in accomplishing its goal, a beautifully decorated church. There is a task for everyone, so don’t exclude yourself. This ministry is a great family and community opportunity.

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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

The Eucharistic Ministry of St. Anthony is a liturgical ministry of service. St. Augustine reminds us; ‘if then you want to understand the body of Christ, remember what the Apostle says: You are the body of Christ, we are all members of the one body. May you be one body by loving one another through faith, hope and love”.

With profound faith and reverence the Minister of Communion distributes Holy Communion under both species at mass at our Sunday worship. We also welcome woman and men to serve at our weekday liturgy. If a minister chooses they man also serve the community by bringing Holy Communion to the homebound and those residing in convalescent homes. Ministers of Communion also share in the welcoming of our parishioners and prior to the start of Liturgy. Each year all liturgical ministries gather for an evening of prayer and reflection, as well as a yearly meeting to review policies and procedures.

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Lectors

Proclaiming the Word of God is an essential component of our Liturgy. In a commentary by Larry Boadt, CSP we read; “In the liturgy, scripture not only forms the basis for the prayers of the mass, especially the narrative prayers of the preface and Eucharistic prayers, but also, as proclaimed during the liturgy of the word, governs weekly themes and catechesis”.

Lectors proclaim the Word of God with a profound spirit of reverence and with proper preparation for both our Sunday and weekday Masses. We ask Lectors to be open to being assigned at more than one specific mass. Each year all liturgical ministries gather for an evening of prayer and reflection, as well as a yearly meeting to review policies and procedures.

Training and practice takes place on-site at St. Anthony Church.

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Church Ushers

The role of the ushers is more than just taking up the weekly collection. Our ushers greet the members of the community on their arrival, offer them a worship guide and assist in locating seating for those in need. Ushers take up the collection and then assist the people who will bring forth the gifts for Eucharist. The need for ushers greatly depends on the time of the Mass. Seasonal assistance (Christmas and Easter) is most welcomed and greatly appreciated.

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