GUARDIAN ANGELS PARISH

Called to Serve

Serving on the Altar is truly a calling from God. Altar Servers offer service to God and the community by assisting the priest during mass.

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The ministry of assistance at the Holy Altar of the Lord is open to any boy or girl

who has received First Holy Communion. Altar server training is offered two times per year, in the Spring and Fall, The training is comprised of two sessions, usually provided on consecutive Saturdays, from 9-11am. Parental permission is required, and applicants have the opportunity to choose the Mass times they would prefer to serve.

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 Altar Servers are assigned to assist the priest at Saturday and Sunday
Masses, Holy Days of Obligation, Wedding and funeral liturgies. 

Responsibilities of Altar Servers include:

Lighting and extinguishing the altar candles

Carrying the processional cross in the entrance and recessional processions

Assisting with holy water, incense, water, wine and offertory gifts at Mass

 

Serving at the altar is a serious responsibility. The priest counts on an altar server to show up when scheduled. They count on a server's​mature and attentive attitude while serving. They expect a server to be dressed neatly and to arrive early. They appreciate a reverent attitude in all that a server does on the Altar.

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If you feel that you are called and would like to serve the Church by being an Altar Server, please contact: Father George at 860-537-2355

The usher coordinators at St Andrew Church help ensure a smoothly running Mass.  They minister to the people in a variety of practical ways.  Their primary responsibility is to find someone to bring up the gifts, and to collect the weekly offering, making sure it is put in the proper place Often they also assist in greeting people as they arrive for mass, and they assist people with special needs. Before the Mass starts, an usher coordinator will often attend to the church building itself: lighting, placement of bulletins, heat/air conditioning.  As the churchgoers arrive, they are also available to answer visitors’ questions and extend extra help in seating those who need the assistance.

The heart of an usher is the heart of a servant, and he does his work for his Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:24). A church usher has a true love for the people of the church and a desire to promote an atmosphere of reverence and worship in the house of God. An usher’s theme verse could very well be Psalm 84:10, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”   Although the position of “usher” is not mentioned in the Bible, ushers today provide an invaluable service to the local church body.  It is an honorable position in the church, requiring integrity, cordiality, and wisdom.

 

VOLUNTEER USHERS

 

Head ushers need to find men and women each week who will help pass the baskets for one (or sometimes two) collections.  At St Andrew, we have 5 aisles, all of which typically require the service of an usher for the purpose of the collection.  Head ushers arrive in time to ask individuals if they would be willing to serve in this capacity.  We are most grateful to those people who say "Yes!" to this request. 

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If you are interested in serving, please contact the parish at (869) 537-2355

Are you comfortable speaking in front of people?

 

Do you enjoy hearing the scriptures read well at Mass?

 

If so, God may be calling you to be a lector! St Andrew lectors serve the assembly by proclaiming the sacred scripture during the Liturgy of the Word. The St Andrew Liturgy committee is currently looking for a few people who feel that the Lord may be asking them to participate in this ministry. Lectors must be baptized members of the Catholic Church, who have been fully prepared and appropriately commissioned for this role.

 

The age of a lector is less important than their skill and maturity in serving the liturgical assembly.

 

If you think this might be you, or you would like more information

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Please contact Contact Luke Hajdasz lukehajdasz@yahoo.com

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"for the Lord said, I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in me shall ever thirst.” John 6:35

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Your willingness to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, is a commitment to Christ as you share in the preaching, teaching and leading aspects of the church. You offer the Eucharist, recognize the Body of Christ in those to whom you offer Eucharist and ultimately you act as the Body of Christ by fully participating in the life of the parish and the wider community.

 

Your willingness to commit to a monthly schedule, to prepare properly for your service and to arrive on time dressed appropriately for Mass, further reflects that commitment.

 

God bless your efforts!

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For more information Contact:

Eucharistic Minister Coordinator:  Karen Bouley Karenbouley@me.com

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