Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative

St. Mary Altar Server Guidelines

St. John Altar Server Guidelines

Proper Care and Cleansing of Altar Linens and Sacred Vessels

ATTENTION: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Liturgical Ministers are scheduled in two-month increments. All are asked to complete an availability form approximately three weeks prior to the release of the upcoming schedule. If you currently serve, we thank you for your commitment to this sacred ministry. If you are interested in serving in one of these ministers, please contact the parish office and you will be directed to someone who can assist you.

Readers: Proclamation of God's Word

In the readings, as explained by the homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation and offering them spiritual nourishment, and Christ himself is present in the midst of the faithful through
his word.   (Introduction to the Order of Mass, page 10) 

Readers are called to serve the whole community by proclaiming God’s Word at Mass and other liturgical services so that all can hear and understand clearly; spoken in such a way that holds everyone's attention. To perform this sacred duty requires a desire to know God through scripture. A reader should be very familiar and comfortable with reading scripture and be  willing to practice all readings as assigned and attend formation workshops. 

• In proclaiming the Word of God, readers exercise their responsibility in the liturgical celebration. God speaks to the faithful through them, and the effectiveness of their proclamation depends on their conviction, preparation, and delivery.  (Introduction to the Order of the Mass, pg 10)
• The faithful, by hearing the readings from the sacred texts, may conceive in their hearts a sweet and living affection for Sacred Scripture. (Constitution of Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 24)
• The scriptural readings include a variety of literary forms to convey the message of salvation: ranging, for example, from narratives and the poetry of the psalms to prophetic oracles and parables, from theological expositions to apocalyptic visions.  An awareness of the literary form of a particular reading or psalm and a knowledge of the sacred author’s style enables the lector to proclaim more fully and with greater understanding the tone and content of the text. (Introduction to the Order of the Mass, pg 10)

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

It is the responsibility of the EME's to assist the ordinary ministers (Bishop, Priest or Deacon) with the distribution of communion to the congregation during Masses and other Eucharistic celebrations. They also can be trained to bring the Eucharist to the homebound and those who reside in other healthcare facilities. To be an EME, one must be baptized and confirmed members of our faith community who have receive their First Eucharist, Confirmation, and are a person of prayer. Most importantly, you must have a love of the Eucharist. All EME's are appointed by the Pastor of the parish. 

• With large number of the faithful receiving Holy Communion, the priest celebrant may need assistance in distributing Holy Communion, so that the rite is not unduly long. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 281)
• All ministers of Holy Communion should show their greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.
• Prayer and a love of the Eucharist are essential aspects for each minister.
• EHMC also serve the unity of the worshipping community by taking Holy Communion to those members who are prevented by sickness, old age or other cause from taking part in the congregation.
• “Since the Eucharistic Celebration is the Paschal Banquet, it is desirable that in keeping with the Lord’s command, his Body and Blood should be received as spiritual food by the faithful who are properly disposed. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 8)
• EMHC serve a parish terms of 3 years and can be renewed.

Music Ministry

As a leader of congregational song, the cantor should take part in singing with the entire gathered assembly. In order to promote the singing of the liturgical assembly, the cantor’s voice should not be heard above the congregation. (Sing To The Lord, no. 38.)  Cantors should lead the assembly from a place where they can be seen by all. (no. 39). There are numerous others ways to be involved in Music Ministries.

Learn More About... St. Mary Music Ministry
Learn More About... St. John Music Ministry

• Good music makes the liturgical prayers of the Christian community more alive and fervent so that everyone can praise and beseech the Triune God more powerfully, more intently, and more effectively.” (from Pius XII, Musicae Sacrae Disciplina 1955)
• The assembly unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers or choir sings, so that by listening to them they may raise their minds to God. (Sacred Congregation for Rites, Musicam Sacram (Instruction on Music in the Liturgy no 15, in Flannery, Vatican Council II; no 15)
• Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the Liturgy. The people are encouraged to take part by means of acclamations, responses, psalms, antiphons and hymns.
• Full, conscious and active participation of the faithful is demanded by the very nature of the Liturgy. (Vatican Council II, Sacrosanctum Concilium) The choir remains part of the assembly at all times.

Adult Sacristans

The Sacristan is an important part of a successful Liturgy team. The Sacristan prepares the Sacred Vessels and the Altar before the Mass. Our Adult Altar servers, usually our Sacristan, serve primarily at our daily and funeral Masses.

Altar Servers

What I tell My Altar Servers by Fr. Dwight Longnecker
John Bechmans: Patron Saint of Altar Servers

Altar servers are a vital part of the liturgical ministry, because altar they not only perform a functional role, but more importantly, a symbolic one... and symbolism is the language of worship. Their actions in the Mass are symbolic of much more than you think and the way they serve can lead people closer to God. In short, the role of the Altar Server is to assist the Priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. Some of the Altar Server responsibilities include:

• Caring for the altar candles
• Bearing the cross and candles in the entrance procession
• Assisting with holy water, water, wine and offertory gifts at Mass
• Assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.

 All children grades 3 and up who have received their First Communion are eligible to become altar servers. If you are interested in becoming an Altar Server, please contact the parish office.

Ushers/Sextons

Although St. John's uses the term usher, and St. Mary uses the term sextons, the responsibilities are the same. These individuals are an extremely important part of our community. They serve as the 'front line' of our liturgical celebrations, and provide the very important first impression to those entering our house of worship. It is the goal of our ushers and sextons to help maintain and improve the church-going experience for not only our regular parishioners, but those who are visitors among us. 

Greeters

Greeters are yet another extremely important part of our community.  It is the friendly faces and welcoming demeanor that makes people feel welcome, so we count on you to help grow our family!