Liturgical Ministries
The role of Cantor is fourfold: Song leader, Psalmist, Teacher, and Animator. Currently present at week-end liturgies, as well as funerals, marriages, services of reconciliation, communion services, and rites of anointing, the cantor serves the assembly, seeks to enhance the prayer of the assembly, and aids in encouraging active participation. Frequent cantor involvement at other liturgies is anticipated for the future, including baptisms and morning/evening prayer services. This ministry requires some vocal and liturgical training as well as rehearsal of repertoire.
The Canticle Choir invites you to join them in leading the congregation in singing and rejoicing at the noon Mass on Sundays. You don’t need the voice of Pavarotti, only the voice God gave you and a desire to make great things happen in the celebration of the Liturgy. The Canticle Choir is for you if you enjoy singing, not only with your voice but from your heart, and if you would enjoy the challenge of singing music in four parts by great composers. Practices are Tuesday evenings, 8-9 PM in the Cry Room, and 11:20 Sunday mornings to prepare for Mass.
The Folk Group leads the music at the 10:00 AM Mass on Sundays. Singers and musicians are welcome to offer their talents. Practice is at 7:00 PM Tuesdays in the church.
The School Choir is for children who attend St. Aloysius School and want to lead the congregation in sung prayer at the Thursday morning school liturgies. Boys and girls in grades 3 through 6 are encouraged to join. Practice is held once a week after school from 3:15-4:15 PM. The choir often sings for 5:30 Mass on Christmas Eve and for First Holy Communion as well.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is celebrated at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass for children ages 4-8. Children leave the congregation after the opening prayer with their ministers to break open the Word of God at an age appropriate level. They return at the presentation of the gifts. This is a two-fold ministry that helps the children appreciate God’s Word and allows parents freedom from distraction during the Liturgy of the Word. New volunteer ministers are trained by pairing with experienced ministers. There are scheduling meetings three times a year.
The Altar Server ministry is open to all boys and girls grades 4 and up who are members of St. Aloysius Parish and have received the sacrament of First Holy Communion. Servers are assigned duty at each Mass time (5:30 PM Saturday, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:00 N Sunday) and also Holy Days and others. Server sign-up occurs in September for a one year commitment. All new servers attend a training session prior to their first assignment.
Lectors read the Scriptures and Intercessions at parish liturgies. The readings combine with the music at Mass to make the liturgy complete, so it is important for lectors to feel the readings and convey them clearly to the congregation. Required workshops are held every two years to train people who are interested in serving in this ministry. There is also a Lector Workbook available, which helps lectors to better understand the readings and how to project their voice for emphasis.
Ushers may be men, women, or young adults. No training workshop is required. Awareness of the tasks involved is a high priority. Ushers taker up the collection at Mass. They also need to be aware of of when there is a special collection to be taken up after Communion. Ushers also count the attendance at all week-end Masses. This information is reported annually to the Diocese. When Mass is crowded, Ushers help find seats for those who are standing. Ushers are needed at all week-end Masses and at Holy Day Masses during the week.
Eucharistic Ministers are trained at workshops before being commissioned on Holy Thursday, and are re-commissioned every two years following a refresher workshop. Each Eucharistic Minister is assigned to a particular Mass for as many months out of the year as they choose. This is a very fulfilling ministry and a wonderful way to feel closely connected to the Liturgy.
Altar Linens for use at Mass and throughout the church are washed and ironed by volunteers from the parish. Each person signs up for at least one two-week block of time during the year.