Liturgy Volunteers
Ushers and Greeters
TIME COMMITMENT: On weekends when scheduled, ushers and greeters should arrive 20—30 minutes prior to Mass; ushers remain “on duty” throughout Mass.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Pleasantly greet of all who arrive for Mass. Assure people receive the worship aids provided for the occasion. Be prepared to answer questions such as restroom locations, child care details, parking, and availability of parish information. Assist people in locating seats if there appears to be difficulty, especially after Mass begins. Ushers are responsible for placing additional seats in the back of the worship space and rearranging the space as required. Seek out volunteers as gift-bearers if not pre-assigned. Ushers pass collection baskets and bring the money forward to the altar. Ushers assist at Communion to assure smooth movement of the assembly and assisting those needing special consideration. Finally, ushers distribute weekly bulletins at the conclusion of Mass. The worship area should be prepared for the next Mass.
COMMUNICATION: Quarterly schedules of weekly assignments are mailed or emailed directly to the volunteers’ homes . Volunteers may also opt to be an “on-call substitute” only, rather than being scheduled on a regular basis.
GENERAL LOGISTICS: Ideally, each Mass should have four to five ushers/greeters serving weekly. Each Mass has a designated lead usher to whom the other volunteers turn when questions or unusual circumstances arise.
A WORD ABOUT ATTIRE: Attire should reflect our special participation in the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb” and be accorded the same degree of attention as would our attendance at a family wedding. Wearing blue jeans is not considered appropriate.
TRAINING: Volunteers are trained as they begin their ministry.
For more information, contact the parish office at (360) 885-7780 or by email.
Lectors
TIME COMMITMENT: On weekends when scheduled, approximately 1—2 hours: Eucharistic ministers and lectors should both be present and ready for their ministry 15 minutes prior to Mass.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Our conduct of the Liturgy is a value statement to God, our brothers and sisters, and ourselves. To assist us, the Church provides particular texts, prescribes postures and gestures, and assigns particular roles.
In our Catholic teaching, we speak of the Mass as the foretaste of the heavenly liturgy. In every Mass on earth, we join Jesus Christ in His solemn prayer to the Father. We approach the celebration of the liturgy with an obligation to follow the directives given by the Church. This is done with an awareness of options available and specific freedoms granted, some interpretation of those directions, and with matters of taste and preference. Additionally there are the more subtle dimensions of style, attitude and tone. Within the legitimate parameters provided by the Church, every celebration of the Mass will not be exactly alike.
All of this leads us to some specific practical guidelines for those engaged in liturgical ministry. All liturgical ministers are expected to engage in active and informed participation in the Mass. Their attention to posture and gesture, exemplary use of the missalettes and hymnals, and praying aloud and singing should be an example to all. They should be attentive to the flow of the liturgy, which recognizes their ministry as fitting integrally into a whole.
A FINAL WORD ABOUT ATTIRE: Attire should bespeak the special dignity of the role of the liturgical minister as well as the Sunday liturgy itself. This is especially true of those who have a high degree of visibility. Our special participation in the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb” ought to be accorded the same degree of attention to dress as would our attendance at the wedding of family or friends.
TRAINING:
Training of new volunteers is scheduled by the pastor periodically through the year. For more information, please contact the parish office at (360) 885-7780 or by email.
Choir (Music Ministry)
The Music Ministry welcomes your participation. We not only enhance the song the congregation sings, but we have the opportunity to evangelize through that song. This is our prayer. Come join us and make it your prayer, too.
Please contact our music director, Angela Lee, for more details.
(360) 885-7780 ext. 14
Choir for Mass:
Saturday 4:30pm Mass - choir rehearsal at 3:50 pm in the Choir Practice Room
Sunday 8:30am Mass - choir rehearsal at 7:50 am in the Church.
Sunday 11am Mass - choir rehearsal at 10:20 am in the Church.
Sancti Chorus - Rehearsal Thursdays 7pm - 8:30pm
Schola (auditioned choir) - Rehearsal Thursdays 8:30pm - 9pm
Children's Choir - Rehearsal Wednesdays 5 pm to 6 pm
If you are new to Choir, please fill out the Choir Registration Form here. Thank you!
Listen to some samples of our choir!
Altar Boys
Altar serving is a prestigious and important position for young men, dating back over one thousand years before Christ when young Samuel served in the Temple with Eli the priest. We continue this rich tradition of Samuel, who eventually dedicated his entire life to serving God and living by God’s Word. St. John writes in his gospel account (John 6:9) that it was a child who assisted Christ in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, bringing “. . five barley loaves and two fish . . ”.
ELIGIBILITY:
Boys who have received their 1st Holy Communion, (2nd or 3rd grade) through high school age.
THE ROLE OF AN ALTAR BOY:
The primary role of the altar boy is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy (hymns, responses, etc.), by ‘looking alert’ and by sitting or standing at the appropriate times.
In addition, the role of an altar boy is to light the candles on the altar, to carry them in procession; to prepare wine and water for the sacrifice of the Mass; and to assist the sacred ministers at the Mass and other public services of the Church.
The Altar Server program is directed by the pastor of Holy Redeemer, Father Thomas Nathe.
ROLE:
–Altar Boys are assigned to serve at various Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, Holy Day Masses, Marriages and Funerals.
–Altar Boys are chosen from volunteers who have received the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist and are at the 2nd grade level or above.
–Altar Boys are required to be at the church 20 minutes prior to the beginning of Mass for preparation.
-A willing attitude of being in service to the Church. As the youth assist the priest in his ministry at Mass, they imitate the child who helped Jesus during His ministry on earth. Parents are warmly invited to join their sons in assisting during the Mass as an usher, greeter, member of the choir, or pray the rosary before Mass begins.
A FINAL WORD ABOUT ATTIRE: Attire should be appropriate and worthy of being near to the altar, as well as proper to the Sunday liturgy itself. Modesty and tastefulness are crucial (shirts that cover the shoulders, pants and no shorts, no holes in clothing, no visible logos or writing on clothing).
For more information contact the parish office at (360) 885-7780.
Floral Arrangements
This ministry cares for and decorates our worship space according to the liturgical calendar so that the community of believers may experience their worship more fully.
The areas of responsibility are floral, banners and décor, altar linen care, special cleaning needs, and assisting the pastor with any immediate requests for the worship space.
We are always in need of volunteers that would sign-up for a year, a season, or for a one-time event such as Easter or Christmas. For more information, please contact the parish office at (360) 885-7780 or by email.