Adult and Children's Choirs

The Adult and Children's choirs provide singing at various times for the weekly liturgy. All parish members are welcome to join. Please visit the music ministries page for more information.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Young children who attend the 9:00 a.m. Mass are invited to leave the church after the Opening Prayer and, with the able assistance of volunteers, learn about the scripture reading of Sunday's Mass. The children are blessed before they proceed to the school where they participate in age appropriate activities to better understand the Word of God. The “Seed” magazine is given to each participant. When the group of children returns to church, they bring up the offertory gifts and then return to sit with their families for the remainder of the Mass.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are men and women of the parish who assist the priest in distributing the Eucharist on Sunday and Holy Day liturgies. Eucharistic Ministers are scheduled on a yearly basis. Some Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to the elderly or infirmed at home, at the hospital, or at a nursing home.

Readers

Members of the parish who have skills in proclaiming the Word of God clearly and with reverence volunteer to read during the Liturgy of the Word at the Sunday Masses.  Lector Workbooks are distributed to the Readers so that they can prepare the readings throughout the week preceding their scheduled assignment. Schedules are made on a yearly basis. Readers are expected to be at Mass fifteen minutes before Mass.

Servers

Beginning in the fourth grade, students are invited to serve at the altar for week day, Sunday, and Holy Day Liturgies. Students are required to go through training before they begin serving. Assignments are scheduled on a yearly basis.

Ushers

Ushers are parish members from high school age through senior citizens who effectively serve the worshipping assembly by welcoming all with a spirit of kindness and reverence, thus preparing their brothers and sisters for the joyous participation of the Mass. Ushers are to arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass.  This allows time for the ushers to check with the celebrant for last minute changes.  Ushers are also responsible for taking up the collection enlisting families to bring up the gifts, and handing out bulletins.  After the final Mass of the day, they are responsible for shutting windows, checking the church, locking doors, and turning off lights.

For More Information

Please contact the parish offices for information on getting involved in these ministries: 937-773-1327 or stmary@piquaparishes.org.