What is Liturgy?
The Liturgy is the Church’s official public and communal worship. While the celebration of the Eucharist is the Church’s principal act of worship, the Liturgy also includes the celebration of the other six sacraments, the official daily prayer of the Church (Liturgy of the Hours), and liturgical Rites for special celebrations.
The “CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY” issued by the Second Vatican Council provides the call to all the Faithful for participation in liturgy and liturgical ministry with the following words –
10. Nevertheless, the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which all her power flows.
14. Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully 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 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.
29. Servers, lectors, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function. They ought, therefore, to discharge their office with the sincere piety and decorum demanded by so exalted a ministry and rightly expected of them by God's people. Consequently, they must all be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy, each in their own measure, and they must be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner.
In our Parish this call may be answered in the following ministries:
Liturgy Team
The Liturgy team aims to oversee the liturgical life of the Parish by planning and organising seasonal and festal liturgical celebrations and by providing liturgical training and formation.
Altar Servers
The Parish has both Senior and Junior servers. These servers assist and serve the Priest and community during Mass and other church liturgies. Children having made their First Communion may become a junior server. Adults who are comfortable with a public, non-speaking, co-ordinating role at Mass and have received Confirmation may become a Senior servers. Senior servers are rostered on a rotating schedule.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) assists the Priest in distributing the Body & Blood of Christ to the People of God during the celebration of the Eucharist. Adults who are comfortable with a public, non-speaking role at Mass and have received Confirmation may become an EMHC.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick
In addition to assisting the Priest during the Mass these ministers distribute Holy Communion to the People of God who are homebound, in hospital or in nursing homes. This aspect of ministry calls for a blend of reverence, responsibility and hospitality. EMHC to the sick are rostered on a rotating schedule.
Lectors/Readers
The Lector proclaims the Word of God during Mass and reads the Prayers of the Faithful. This is a vital part of our faith community’s worship. Members of the faith community who have received Confirmation and who are comfortable with a public, proclaiming role at Mass may become a Lector.
Lectors should prepare well and be willing to grow in their personal prayer life, especially through reflection upon the scriptures. The Parish provides both printed and web-based liturgy resources to help lectors in their preparation for their proclamation. Lectors are rostered on a rotating schedule and should arrive 15 minutes before the Liturgy.
Current Rosters