Liturgical Ministries

These ministries are all centered around assisting at the Mass, the greatest prayer of our Catholic faith, and the place we encounter the source and summit of our faith in the Holy Eucharist, the True Presence of Christ.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist our priests in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass, and may also take the Eucharist to nursing homes, or to the sick in hospitals or at home. Anyone eighteen or older who is living a life consistent with the teachings of the Church can be trained as an Extraordinary Minister.

An Extraordinary Minister’s responsibilities:

Commit to a schedule of Masses on an ongoing basis, and be willing to substitute as needed.
Be physically able to walk and stand throughout the distribution of Holy Communion.
Treat the Body and Blood of Christ with the utmost reverence at all times.

If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Pattie Meitner at 314.786.5464.

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture at Mass. “When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word

of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 29)

This important role of bringing the words on the page to life for the congregation can be performed by any lay person who is at least highschool age and has received the Sacrament of Confirmation. We provide training, but it is helpful to enjoy and be comfortable with public speaking.

A lector’s responsibilities:

Commit to one weekend Mass per month on an ongoing basis, and be willing to substitute as needed.
Prepare/practice each reading ahead of time, including any difficult or unfamiliar words.
Be physically able to walk and stand at the ambo.
Read in a clear, strong voice, at a slow enough pace to be heard clearly by the congregation.
Be a team player, willing to coordinate and cooperate well with the other ministers.

If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Rick Voytas at 314.786.5755.

Sacristans

Sacristans assist the priest by preparing the various liturgical items for Mass, including the chalice, Communion vessels, purificators, pall, hosts, wine, and any other necessary items. These lay people are also responsible for lighting candles, arranging for lighting/sound/etc., or other special considerations prior to Mass. We provide training, but it is essential to have a reverent approach to the altar, vessels, and other liturgical items, as well as a deep appreciation and faith in the Eucharist and the Mass.

A sacristan’s responsibilities:

Commit to one weekend Mass per month on an ongoing basis, and be willing to substitute as needed.
Be able to arrive 30 minutes before the Mass, and possibly remain after Mass to assist briefly as well.

If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Father Aidan McDermott at 314.878.2120 ext. 12, or fraidan@stanselmstl.org.

Ushers

These parishioners assist in the seating of those who come to worship, and during Mass they assist with worship aids, collect the offertory, help with orderly reception of Holy Communion, and handle any emergency that may arise during Mass.

An usher’s responsibilities:

Commit to one weekend Mass per month on an ongoing basis, and be willing to substitute as needed.
Be able to arrive 20 minutes before the Mass, and remain after Mass for about 10 minutes.
Make sure the church is presentable before and after Mass.

If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Father Francis Hein at 314.878.2120 ext. 20, or frfrancis@stanselmstl.org.