Children’s Word Liturgy Leaders
Visitor to the Sick and Shut-In
The reader is instituted to proclaim the readings from Scripture, with the exception of the gospel. [You] may also announce the intentions for the general intercessions and in the absence of the psalmist, sing or read the psalm between the readings. Those who exercise the ministry of reader, even if they have not received institution must be truly qualified and carefully prepared in order
that the faithful will develop a warm and lively love for Scripture from listening to the reading of the sacred texts.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal n. 66
To proclaim God’s word to one’s fellow pilgrims is an honoured office in the believing community. The reader enables the assembly to hear and respond to Jesus Christ present among us. As minister of the Word, you will be on a schedule. The reader usually joins in the procession, carrying the Lectionary held high, sits within the assembly, moves with dignity to the ambo, incorporates silence and models a reverence to the Word of God.
You will always show careful preparation of the reading, projecting a strong voice of proclamation that is audible, clear and intelligent.
Top of Page
Communion is receiving of food and a sharing of food. We feed each other, knowing that it is really Christ who is both host and food. The minister of communion will take care and exercise reverence in giving the consecrated bread and wine to the communicants. The bread and cup will be held at eye level so that both minister and communicant are looking at the holy food and at the holy people at the same time. Ministers help the assembly respond to God’s call to union and transformation.
To minister the Eucharist to one’s fellow pilgrims is an honoured office in the believing community. Personal prayer, scripture reading and witness are necessary to be a worthy minister of the Church. As a selected communion minister you may distribute the consecrated bread and cup on a scheduled basis.
You may also accept the added responsibility, with training, to become a Minister of the Eucharist to members of the assembly who are sick and housebound.
Top of Page
Ministers of hospitality are women and men, young and old, greeters and ushers who foster hospitality and the sharing of material resources with all those in need.
With a welcoming spirit and a gift for gathering, familiar with the elements of liturgy and capable of attending to emergencies, ministers of hospitality are sensitive to the special needs within the 
assembly.
It is a matter of recognizing and responding to the presence of Christ in our midst.
Ministers of hospitality act on behalf of all the assembly. Attendance 20 minutes before the celebration begins, welcoming each arrival with a smile and a sincere greeting or offer of assistance, and being available at the end of the service with bulletins and a friendly word are required. You may choose also to act as an usher to help take up the collection.
Top of Page
Among the many signs and symbols used by the Church to celebrate its faith, music is of preeminent importance… Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith … 
and heighten the texts so that they speak more fully.
Music in Catholic Worship n. 23
Participation in liturgical music is the responsibility of all members of the assembly. Musicians make a great contribution to the worship that God’s people offer. We join with Christ in singing our praise and thanks to God. Practices are scheduled. Sign up to become a member of a choir or volunteer to cantor or play an instrument at a particular mass time.
Top of Page
Servers … exercise a genuine liturgical function. They ought to discharge their office with a sincere devotion and decorum ... rightly expected of them by God’s people. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy n 29
Altar servers have the opportunity to develop a deeper devotion and a spirit of generous service that leads to answering the call to further service in the Church and 
community.
Students in Grade 3 and up who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Reconciliation are encouraged to start volunteering in the Parish through this ministry. The servers minister to the celebrant and aid the dignity of the celebration by adding solemnity. In processions, they carry the cross, lighted candles and incense. A server may hold the Sacramentary for the celebrant while he is at the chair. Servers assist in bringing bread, wine and water to the altar. Ongoing training is available.
Top of Page
All artists who, prompted by their talents, desire to serve God’s glory in holy Church, should bear in mind that they are engaged in a kind of sacred imitation of God the Creator and are concerned with works intended to be used in Catholic worship, to uplift the faithful and to foster their devotion and religious formation.
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy n 127
Liturgical celebrations involve the whole person. Members of the environment ministry will work together to help create experiences of art (form, colour, texture), objects, appointments and gesture that call on all the human faculties: body, mind, senses, imagination, emotions and memory, aiding and serving the action of the Liturgy in the physical environment of the worship space. This can include seating arrangements, temporary decorations, lighting, acoustics etc. The environment is appropriate when it is beautiful and hospitable.
refer-Environment and Art in Catholic Worship.
Top of Page
The acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest. In particular … to prepare the altar and the vessels and as a special minister of the Eucharist to give communion to the faithful.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal n 65
The acolyte may have functions of various kinds [before, during and following the celebration of the Eucharist.]
General Instruction of the Roman Missal n 142
The sacristan prepares the Altar Table, the gifts for the Presentation and the Credence Table. Sufficient time before and after the liturgy service is required. The acolyte/sacristan may also serve as a minister of Eucharist at the Mass for which he/she prepares the altar and the vessels.
Top of Page
In the promotion of the liturgy, full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else. For it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit .
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy n 14
With zeal and patience pastors must promote the liturgical instruction of the faithful and also their active participation in the liturgy.
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy n 19
The responsibility for effective pastoral celebration in a parish community falls upon all those who exercise major roles in the liturgy. The practical preparation for each liturgical celebration should be done in a spirit of cooperation by all parties concerned, under the guidance of the rector of the church.
Music in Catholic Worship n 10
The liturgical committee meets monthly to discuss, evaluate and share in the planning of liturgies. To include a representative from each of the liturgical ministries would best serve the learning and sharing within this committee.
Top of Page
The rite of carrying up the gifts continues the spiritual value and meaning of the ancient custom when the people brought bread and wine for the liturgy from their homes. 
General Instruction of the Roman Missal n 49
It is fitting for the faithful’s participation to be expressed by their presenting both the bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist and other gifts to meet the needs of the church and of the poor.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal n 101
This part of the Mass, is a time of preparation both for the gifts and for the assembly.
Bringing up the gifts is an opportunity for members of the assembly to show their willingness to enter into the sacrifice of Christ. Families are encouraged to sign up for a particular Sunday. The composition of our community should be reflected in the variety of those who present the gifts.
If you are having a Mass said, let Father know in advance if your family would like to bring the gifts to the altar at the Preparation time.
A pew will be designated for those who wish to present the gifts at a Mass.
Top of Page
Maintaining a clean, inviting environment contributes to the hospitality of welcome for all the members of the assembly. It is basic to the simplicity and beauty of our decorations and preparations.
ref. Environment and Art in Catholic Worship
Regular cleaning and general upkeep of the sacristy, chapel and sanctuary areas requires a large number of able bodies. Regular maintenance of the altar and care for altar cloths and vestments are the responsibility of the altar society members.
Top of Page
Maintaining a clean, inviting environment contributes to the hospitality of welcome for all the members of the assembly. It is basic to the simplicity and beauty of our decorations and 
preparations.
ref. Environment and Art in Catholic Worship 
Regular maintenance in property management, of furnishings, of lights, of heating and general upkeep requires a large number of able bodies. At present, St. James Church is in need of volunteers for painting, caulking and some overall minor “fix-ups”. Although experience is an asset, you can learn on the job! A great opportunity for your high school community hours.
Top of Page
Visitor to the Sick and Shut-In
There are members of our assembly who are unable to join in the Sunday Liturgy. They may be chronically ill, housebound, elderly or caregivers in need of some moral support. Brief reports to the community on the needs of the shut-ins must never compromise their privacy, but serve to help bring them into full, conscious, active participation to the best of our ability as Church.
A volunteer in this ministry recognizes the rich gifts those who suffer can offer us. At least an hour of time per visit and a listening ear with an accepting attitude are important in this role. Most visits may include sharing the Eucharist with members of our assembly unable to join us at the Sunday Eucharist, to help rekindle their ties with the community.
Top of Page
Children’s Word Liturgy Leaders
The Church must show special concern for baptized children who have yet to be fully initiated through the sacraments, as well as for children who have only recently been admitted to holy communion.
Directory for Masses with Children n 1
The Christian family has the greatest role in instilling Christian and human values. Thus Christian education, provided by parents and other educators, should be strongly encouraged in relation to the liturgical formation of children.
Directory for Masses with Children n 10
The liturgy itself always exerts its own inherent power to instruct.
Directory for Masses with Children n 12
The word of God should have a greater place in celebrations with children,
A volunteer in this field would find experience in working with children of varying abilities an asset. A comfort level with songs of praise is encouraged.
Word Liturgy books and manuals are available. Signing on as a leader (age 17 and up) or a helper (grade 8 and up) is welcomed.
Top of Page
“The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious,
and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people” (1 Peter 2:9. cf 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy n 14
Liturgy is the work of all the members of the assembly. Your participation counts! As members of
the Church gathered for worship, you are invited to full participation through recognizing the communal aspect of our celebration, reflecting on the readings in advance, responding in word, gesture, posture and song, using silence for prayer time, acknowledging our Eucharistic Prayer, sharing in the Eucharistic action, volunteering for liturgical ministries, and being a witness to our faith.
We bring our life to our celebration and carry the Eucharist into our lives throughout the week.
Top of Page