All Liturgical celebrations, especially the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy, are celebrations of the whole Church. They are not private functions. The Church is the “sacrament of unity: the holy people united and arranged under their bishops. Therefore, liturgical services pertain to the whole Body of the Church”. (CSL 26)
In the midst of this Body, there are individual ministries who serve all the faithful by executing different functions. These functions are integral and necessary parts for the liturgy to be performed in a dignified and reverend manner, and for respecting the nature, shape, and dynamic of liturgy. These ministries may include:
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The Priest & Deacon are ordained ministers; the Priest is the single indispensable minister for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Fr. John wrote about this in the Faith Focus section of this bulletin. The Deacon, when present, has specific functions pertaining to his role in the celebration, and these must be observed.
Lay Liturgical Ministers exercise a “genuine liturgical function. They ought, therefore, to perform their roles with the sincere piety and decorum demanded by so exalted ministries and rightly expected of them by God’s people” (CSL 29).
All liturgical ministers exist for the service of the Body of Christ, the People of God, the assembly gathered in God’s name. Although serving in any of these ministries should be a source of joy and satisfaction for individual people, these ministries exist for the benefit and service of the Church and not for individual or personal piety, spiritual growth, or status. As such, these ministries are regulated by Church and Liturgical law and are submitted to the authority of the Bishop and the local Pastor (USCCB).
At Holy Faith Catholic Church, these liturgical ministries strive to be modeled after the example of service of Jesus Christ in the Washing of the Disciple’s feet at the Last Supper. (John 13: 1-15). Serving at the Liturgy is an act of self-giving, not self-seeking; an act of love that must be continued in the ordinary of our lives for the glory of God. Therefore, “The faithful should not refuse to serve the People of God in gladness whenever they are asked to perform some particular service or function in the liturgical celebration.” (GIRM 97)
BECOMING A MINISTER
You may be asked or you may volunteer to become a Liturgical Minister if you feel the call from the Lord and/or the community. Fill out a Liturgical Minister Profile form or pick up a paper (pink) form in the church office or the vestibule of the church and return it to the church office. Someone will contact you as soon as possible. We require all forms of ministers at all the Masses. The Pastor has the final approval of all liturgical ministers before they can begin service at the Mass.
TRAINING AND FORMATION
Formation and training are required by Diocesan and Local norms for all who are interested in Liturgical Ministry even if you have been trained in another parish or diocese and have experience in liturgical service.
Training varies from parish to parish in the Diocese of St. Augustine, and may vary from ministry to ministry.
At Holy Faith Catholic Church all interested ministers are required to attend a two-hour General Session followed by practical training for individual ministries. The practical training will vary according to the ministry. The General Sessions are offered as the need arises, generally twice a year. On special occasions, we may begin formation with practical training, following at a later date the attendance at one of the General Sessions (this General Session is required for continuing in the ministry).
PRAYERS AND RESOURCES
- Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Change Your Life by Domminic Grassi & Joe Paprocki
- Preparing for Liturgy: A Theology and Spirituality by Austin Fleming
- Celebrating the Eucharist: A Practical Ceremonial Guide for Clergy and Other Liturgical Ministers by Patrick Malloy