Liturgical Ministries:
Altar Linens and Vestments
You assist with preparing for Mass in the church by cleaning altar linens, priest’s and server’s vestments and other sanctuary appointments.
Time: As required
Altar Servers
You assist the priest and deacon at weekend masses. This is a great way to be involved and learn about the Eucharist. Open to young people in Grade 3 and above.
Time: Weekly or scheduled as required. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for mass.
Adult Altar Servers
Participation in Funeral Liturgies expresses your support and that of our faith community for families who have lost a loved one. There are also opportunities to serve at most weekday masses according to your availability.
Time: The adult altar servers are listed on a roster and called for funerals when required.
Arts and Environment
The liturgical seasons, particularly Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, provide opportunities to enhance our worship space by the use of banners, flowers and other seasonal arrangements. If you have a flair for decorating, we encourage you to assist in this ministry.
Time: Several hours per season
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
These ministers have the great privilege of feeding their brothers and sisters with the Body of Christ during the Sunday Eucharist. Training is provided by the Diocese once a year and is required. Additional practical training will take place in the Parish. Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist must be confirmed members of the Catholic Church in good standing.
Time: Scheduled once every two to three weeks at the mass you customarily attend.
Gift Bearers
If you have a love for the liturgy, you may want to play an active role by presenting the bread and wine on behalf of the community for the celebration of the Eucharist. Minimal training is required and this is a great opportunity for a family to participate in the liturgy. Simply speak to one of the ushers to volunteer at mass.
Greeters
Everyone appreciates a smiling face and a cheerful welcome when coming to Mass on the weekend. If God has blessed you with the gift of hospitality, you are invited to share it with your brothers and sisters in Christ at the Mass of your choice. We also ask greeters to assist in distributing bulletins at the doors after mass.
Time: One half-hour before Mass and five minutes after mass – averaging once a month.
Ministers of the Word
A wonderful way to participate in the mass is to proclaim the Word of God at the Eucharist. The parish will provide basic instruction and a guide book to pronunciation. The Diocese of Hamilton offers a one-day training seminar every year in November that new readers should attend. Readers must be confirmed members of the Catholic Church in good standing. All ages welcome – including young people.
Time: One mass per month for the mass you customarily attend
Liturgy Committee
Our parish is blessed to have a good working relationship between the pastor, deacon and the various liturgical ministers. Our committee assists in planning the liturgical year and its various celebrations.
Time: Three or four times a year on a Tuesday evening, as scheduled.
Ministry to the Homebound
Our Parish community includes parishioners who live at home but for health reasons are not able to attend mass. You will have the privilege of bringing them Holy Communion and visiting with them. This may also include bringing Holy Communion to those in hospitals or nursing homes. Training is provided by the Diocese once a year for first time ministers and is required. Ministers must be confirmed members of the Catholic Church in good standing. Additional practical training will take place in the Parish.
Time: Scheduled or called as required
Ushers
Ushers assist at mass by seating people, taking up the offertory collection and organizing the offertory procession. They also assist in keeping the church tidy for the next mass.
Time: Weekly at the mass you attend. Please arrive twenty minutes before Mass and stay for ten after Mass.
Liturgy of the Word for Children
This is a wonderful opportunity to assist children from junior kindergarten to grade two in joyfully knowing the Lord by accepting His word at a level they can understand. Children listen to the stories of Jesus, simply presented and using the structure of the mass as a guide. This ministry is provided at the 11:00 a.m. mass on Sunday from September to June. A resource manual and training is provided by the Diocese and the Parish.
Time: 2 weeks in a row every six to eight weeks.
Music Ministry
Liturgical music is a very important part of our parish liturgies. If you love music, St. Patrick’s Music Ministry invites you to join one of our choirs. Singers are not required to read music and no audition is required. Most rehearsals are before mass. A few additional rehearsals may take place before major festivals. There are various choirs at St. Patrick’s led by organ or guitar, as well as a Resurrection choir for funerals.
Time: Weekly for the mass you customarily attend. The Youth choir sings every other week.