“There are different gifts but the same Spirit, there are different ministries but the same Lord … To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians, 12:4-7
Every person is called to contribute to the liturgy in a manner suited to his or her unique talents. It takes the help of many people serving in a variety of different liturgical ministries to help the liturgy flow smoothly and enable the participation of the assembly.
We invite you to prayerfully reflect on the gifts God has given you and consider volunteering your talents for one of our liturgical ministries.
Training: Spiritual formation and hands-on task training is provided to help you get started in all of the listed ministries.
Scheduling:Liturgical ministers are scheduled at the Mass time of their preference as often as fits their schedule and are asked to arrive 20 minutes before their scheduled Mass begins.
Contact: Unless otherwise noted, please contact Bonnie Lee Director of Liturgy & Music at 218-441-4905, or by e-mail at blee1@stphilipsbemidji.org for more information about any of the following ministries and to find out when training will be held.
Liturgical Ministries:
Altar Server
Art and Environment
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Greeter
Hospitality
Lector
Sacristan
Usher
Musician - See Musician Page
Altar Server
“Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve…” Matthew 20:28
Description:
The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This involves presenting or arranging vessels and other items used in the celebrations. As members of the assembly who are often visible to all, the altar servers also model good liturgical participation by actively joining in the hymns, prayers and responses of the liturgy, and by sitting, standing, or kneeling at the appropriate times.
Requirements:
Must be in 4th—12th grade and regularly attend Mass.
Must be a baptized member of the Catholic Church and have already received First Eucharist.
Must be willing to participate fully as a member of the liturgical assembly.
Must have parental permission to serve.
Training:
Training to become an altar server is held once a year, usually in the Fall. Information about altar server training will be sent home through St. Philip’s School and through the religious formation classes. These three-hour sessions begin with a pizza party and will include spiritual formation along with hands-on training and practice.
Further Information:
For more information about the altar server program, click on the brochure link below, or contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.
Art and Environment Team
“For everything there is a season…”Ecclesiastes 3:1
Description:
This team works behind the scenes to transform our Worship environment to heighten the awareness of the festive, solemn, or penitential nature of the different liturgical seasons. Their quiet presence is often unnoticed, yet the results of their labors are visible to all the parish community. A variety of helpers are needed to prepare a prayerful atmosphere in the worship space throughout the liturgical year. This includes:
Seasonal Decorating Crews - People are needed to arrange flowers and plants, to iron and hang banners, and to place other items appropriate for the liturgical season or special liturgy in the church, the social hall, and the entrances of the church prior to major feasts and seasons such as Christmas and Easter. Seasonal decorating assistance is also necessary at the end of the major seasons to remove the décor and properly store it for the next year.
No experience is necessary. Helpers must enjoy working with others, be willing to accept direction, and be able to assist with moving, lifting, and preparing items to be placed in the environment. Contact the parish office if you are interested in being placed on the decorator list.
Linens Crew - People are needed every week to launder and iron the linens used at Mass. Linens are typically taken home on Sunday or Monday, laundered, ironed, folded and returned by Wednesday or Thursday. Each person is scheduled approximately once every 8 weeks.
We also welcome artists of various medias to help envision new ideas and work on our various projects throughout the year.
Further Information: For more information about helping on the Art and Environment Team, contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:54
Description:
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priests and deacons of the parish in distributing Communion at Mass. There is great joy and satisfaction to participate in this wonderful gift to God's people.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are needed at all weekday, weekend, holy day, funeral and wedding Masses held at the Church of St. Philip
.
Requirements:
Must have a special love and care for the Eucharist and for all those who share in the Body and Blood of the Lord.
Must be at least a junior in high school
Must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation
Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are expected to show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread and wine.
Training:
Guidelines for the ministry are provided, and an evening of spiritual formation along with practical training are required before a person can be recommended to the Bishop to be commissioned to distribute Communion.
Watch the bulletin for when the next training session will be held.
Further Information:
For more information about being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Philip’s, contact the contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.
.
Greeter
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me." Matthew 25:35
Description:
Greeters provide a welcoming atmosphere at the Church of St. Philip. The Christian hospitality shown to those who arrive at Mass draws people together and opens them to participation. The greeter’s smile and warm reception set the tone for the liturgy by welcoming both friends and newcomers to be at home as they enter the church and assemble for prayer.
At least two greeters are needed for every weekend or holy day Mass held at the Church of St. Philip. The primary responsibilities include:
Welcoming people as they enter the Church
Distributing worship aids if necessary
Finding individuals or a family to present the gifts
Answering questions
Preparing the worship space for the next liturgy by picking up trash, etc.
Requirements:
The ministry is open to all - women and men, young and old. Couples and families are encouraged to join this ministry.
Training:
Training to become a greeter is held in the fall and takes about 45 minutes. Watch the bulletin for when the next training session will be held.
Further Information:
For more information about being a greeter at St. Philip’s, contact contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.
Hospitality
"This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
Description:
These ministers invite parishioners and visitors to gather after our Sunday liturgies in an atmosphere of friendship and welcome. They extend hospitality to the community by providing coffee, juice, donuts, and a smile. Hospitality ministers assist in setting up and cleaning up before and after each liturgy.
A minimum of ten volunteers are needed each weekend. Volunteers are scheduled on a rotating basis according to their availability and serve about 1 hour every 4-6 weeks after the Mass of their choice. It is a great opportunity for families to serve together.
Training:
Training is provided on Sunday mornings for new volunteers.
Further Information:
For more information about the hospitality ministry, contact the parish office at 218-444-4262.
Lector
"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them." Isaiah 50:4
Description:
Lectors strive to make the Liturgy of the Word as meaningful as possible for the worshiping assembly by speaking God’s Word as storyteller, telling how God has acted and is acting in our lives. Lectors must proclaim God’s Word in a clear and compelling manner so that the worshiping assembly will be inspired to ponder and meditate on God’s words in their daily lives. Lectors also raise the prayers of the faithful to God on behalf of the assembly. Three lectors are needed at every weekend and holy day Mass. The first lector proclaims the Old Testament reading; the second lector proclaims the New Testament reading; and the third lector welcomes the assembly and reas any announcements prior to the start of Mass. At times when a deacon is not present for Mass, lector introduces the Universal prayers (petitions) to God. Lectors also are needed for all weekday and Holy Day Masses.
Requirements:
Must be in at least 9th grade or older and have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Younger lectors (4th through 8th grade) are paired with a "Mentor."
Must have a clear, steady voice and be comfortable reading in public.
Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Must be willing to study the Scripture passage and take time to practice proclaiming the reading before each liturgical assignment to achieve effective liturgical proclamation.
Lectors are expected to dress in a modest and respectful manner.
Training: Guidelines for the ministry and practical training are provided. Lectors receive a workbook with the readings for the current liturgical year as a resource in their preparation.
Watch the bulletin for when the next training session will be held.
Further Information: For more information about being an lector at St. Philip’s, contact contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.
Sacristan
"…'Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.' The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.” Mark 14:15-16
Description:
The Ministry of Sacristan provides a vital service to the worshiping community. At the Church of St. Philip, the sacristan’s general responsibilities are to help prepare and maintain the worship space and to have in place the items and people needed by the Presider to properly and prayerfully celebrate Mass and other liturgies, in a smooth and flowing manner. Sacristans are needed for every weekday and weekend Mass.
Requirements:
Faithful Catholic in good standing with the Church who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Flexible schedule to be at church before Mass to review set-up and to stay after Mass to reset items.
Solid organizational skills.
Comfortable communicating and working with other people.
Humble attitude of service as a team player with respect for others.
Willingness to learn liturgical terms, differences throughout the liturgical year, and the rites for sacraments and liturgies for holy days.
Training:
Guidelines for this ministry are provided, and practical training is required. New sacristans will also work with an experienced sacristan for several Masses as part of the training program.
Further Information:
For more information about being a sacristan at St. Philip’s, contact contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.
Liturgical Hospitality Ministers (Usher)
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me." Matthew 25:35
Description:
Liturgical Hospitality Ministers (LHM) are signs of familiarity and stability for the worshiping community. Extending hospitality imitates God’s gracious welcome and furthers the assembly’s ability to worship. Ushers serve with discretion, creating an atmosphere conducive to prayer and worship. Their role is one of hosting with warmth, friendship, respect, and with a true attitude of service.
At least four ushers are needed for every weekend or holy day Mass at the Church of St. Philip. The primary responsibilities of ushers include:
Helping seat assembly members as they arrive
Taking up the collection
Assisting the gift bearers
Guiding the communion procession
Distributing bulletins after Mass
Answering questions
Assisting parishioners in case of illness or emergency
Counting the people in attendance for historic value
Preparing the worship space for the next liturgy by picking up trash, etc.
Requirements:
The ministry is open to all women and men.
Training:
Guidelines for the ministry and one-hour training on hospitality, the flow of the liturgy, and responsibilities and procedures are provided to assist those interested in becoming ushers.
Watch the bulletin for when the next training session will be held.
Further Information:
For more information about being a LHM at St. Philip’s, contact contact the parish office, at 218-444-4262 or via e-mail at
rector@stphilipsbemidji.org.