Adult Choir The choir, a component of the Parish Liturgical Ministry, is a group of interested parishioners who love to sing and share their given musical talents in the liturgical services. The purpose of this Music Ministry is to bring the song of the assembled community to life, and to assist the people of the assembly in making their song prayers, from the heart as well as the head. Click here to learn more. Cantor The music minister (including assembly member, cantor, choir member, music director, presider, accompanist) leads and supports the music of the liturgy—the sung liturgical texts as well as the hymns, songs, and other musical pieces. This minister facilitates the unfolding of the liturgical action and helps the assembly enter into and respond to that action as the one body of Christ. This minister musically prays the liturgy and, in that role, helps the assembly with their whole selves enter more deeply into the liturgical prayer. Click here to learn more. Altar Server An Altar Server is an initiated member of St. Francis-St. Mary (e.g., has completed the initiation sacraments of baptism and First Eucharist) and is entering the fourth grade of schooling and may serve until adulthood. This ministry is open to both genders in compliance with the diocesan mandate. Click here to learn more. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMoHC) are those members of the gathered assembly who distribute the body and blood of Christ either during the liturgy or outside of the Eucharistic celebration to those who have been unable to attend. Click here to learn more. Usher You are part of the team of those who minister at Liturgy. Our liturgy is the central event in our parish life. The Usher has the task of greeting God’s people as they assemble for prayer. The Usher does something that everyone else there does too: welcoming and offering hospitality. Ushers are the community’s way of being sure that this happens. At St. Francis-St Mary, our ushers serve as the premier liturgical ministers being sure that the first face everyone sees at church is smiling and ensuring that there are no strangers among us. Click here to learn more. Lector The lector is one who proclaims God's Word to the liturgical assembly. To this end, she or he must be a living Word; one cannot proclaim what one does not live. The Word burns within the heart of the lector so that, like Paul, she or he can say, "Not I, but Christ in me”. As a reader you are a servant to the listening assembly. The reading of Sacred Scripture in your life is and must be a continual objective. You will be telling the community its greatest story of faith. Stories (especially, parables) need to be told, not read. You are privileged to join the ranks of this ministry and to share in the inspired stories of God. Click here to learn more. Sacristan Sacristans are present at Sunday or Saturday evening to set up vessels, bread, wine, lectionary, and vestments according to the liturgical season. Set out worship aids for the community. Click here to learn more. Contact: Rosie Burkey, Volunteer Coordinator Email: office@stfrancis-stmary.org Phone: 301-834-9185 |