Liturgical Ministries

Adoration

The Catechism quotes Pope John Paul II: “The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.” (CCC, 1380)

By his Real Presence in the Eucharist Christ fulfills his promise to be with us always. Spend some time in Eucharistic Adoration with our Divine Lord.
Adoration takes place in the Daily Chapel on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed at 6:30 p.m. We invite you to spend some time each week in adoration of the Lord present in the Eucharist.

Altar Server

Altar servers perform most of the functions of the former minor order of ordained clerics known as acolytes from the Greek word akolouthos or attendant . Church writings from the second and third centuries discuss the role of acolytes, giving the office great importance and honor in the history of the Church. Altar servers today are not ordained, but are commissioned by their parish priest.
The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through various tasks including: assisting with the sacramentary when the priest needs to read from it; preparing the altar table; taking care of candles, incense, and cross. The main task of the Altar Server is to model liturgical prayer with grace and reverence and enter wholeheartedly into the public worship of the community.
Two servers minimum are needed for each ordinary Mass. The ministry of Altar Server is open to Baptized Catholics 10 years of age and over. This is a perfect ministry for a parent and child, siblings, or a couple.

Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

In recent years the Church has established the Ministry of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Inaestimabile Donum states: “The faithful, whether religious or lay, who are authorized as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist can distribute Communion only when there is no priest, deacon or acolyte, when the priest is impeded by illness or advanced age, or when the number of the faithful going to Communion is so large as to make the celebration of the Mass excessively long.”

Our Eucharistic Ministry consists of a group of men and women who assist the priests in the distribution of Holy Communion at Sunday Masses and certain scheduled weekday Masses. Some Extraordinary Ministers also visit our homebound parishioners during the week where they conduct a prayer service and distribute Holy Communion to our brothers and sisters bringing them spiritual comfort.

It is a great privilege to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the members of the congregation. There are some requirements* that must be met in order to become a minister of the Eucharist. There will be an instruction class at which attendance is mandatory. Volunteers serve with other ministers by selecting the Mass days and times they are willing to serve and will be scheduled, in advance, on a rotating basis through the Ministry Scheduler Pro app. The app allows users to request substitutes in the event they are unable to serve a scheduled time and to also preset days and times not to be scheduled.

Yearly training is required for both new and current ministers to review procedures. We encourage you to inquire about this very special ministry.

(*approval from the Bishop)
Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.
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Lector

The Lector Ministry is the lay ministry of the Word. Those serving in this ministry have the privilege and high honor to welcome those who have come to worship together at Mass, proclaim to them the inspired Word of God in the first and second readings, and lead the Prayers of the Faithful. Lectors are given both spirituality and procedural training on an annual basis and receive a lectionary containing all of the readings during the liturgical year prior to serving. Lectors are scheduled to proclaim at the Mass times they most often attend and receive notice far enough in advance to appropriately prepare the assigned reading or request a substitute in the event of a scheduling conflict. Two Lectors are required at each Mass. In addition to adult lectors, St Francis has a trained group of youth lectors who are primarily responsible for reading at the 5:30 PM mass on Sundays.

The Lector Ministry is a lay ministry of the Word. Persons called to serve in this ministry have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim to the assembled faithful the first and second readings at all weekend masses, Holy Days of Obligations, and at other liturgical services such as Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil.

Anyone interested in becoming a part of this ministry should contact either the parish office. Open to adults and high school students.

Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Minister of Hospitality

Volunteers serve to greet and welcome people as they enter the church for Mass. They distribute Mass aids, bulletins, and other items at the doors; assist parishioners in finding seats; and stand ready to offer direction and assistance to visitors and others who may need help. Hospitality Ministers prepare the offertory baskets, put away the collection, and tidy the pews after Mass. This is a great ministry for those who desire to get to know their fellow parishioners. Many ministers are needed for each weekend Mass. Open to adults and students 9th grade and up.

Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Ministry of Care

Volunteers* are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who visit and take Eucharist to parishioners who are home bound, in hospitals, or nursing homes. (*approval from the Bishop)
Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Music Ministry

It is the purpose of St. Francis of Assisi’s Music Ministry to support the prayer of all who have gathered together in the assembly. We strive to enrich all who seek to worship here through music. Music opportunities include: Cantor/Musical Instrument, Handbell Choir (Jr. High and up) as well as Adult, Youth, and Children Choirs.

Connie K. Machado, Director
Gail Madden, Organist/Pianist
Mary Ignal, Pianist

It is the purpose of St. Francis of Assisi’s Music Ministry to facilitate liturgy with active music participation. We seek to enliven and enrich all who seek to worship at St. Francis of Assisi through music. Music opportunities offered at St. Francis include: Adult and Youth choirs; Handbells, and seasonal Childrens’ choir.Music and the arts are central to the expression of faith, prayer, praise, and devotion, and are essential vehicles of evangelism and outreach into the community. Music and the arts have been, since the beginning of human history, a God given gift. At St. Francis we encourage you to receive blessings by developing and sharing your musical gifts. We encourage you to join in singing from the assembly or as a member of one of our choirs.

Remember, Catholics Can Sing!

Choirs at St. Francis of Assisi Madison
Choir	Rehearsal Day	Rehearsal Time	Frequency
Adult Handbells	Monday	6:30-7:30 pm	Generally twice a month/as needed
Adult Choir	Wednesday	6:30-7:30 pm	Rehearsal for weekly/special Masses
	Sunday	9:30 am	Review before 10:30 am Mass
Youth Mass Choir (7th grade to Adult) and instruments	Sunday	4:00 pm	Rehearsal for 5:00 pm Youth Mass

Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Sound Board

We are in great need of additional volunteers - we urge you to join this most needed ministry. Sound Board Ministers provide a vital part of the liturgy, enabling the faithful to hear the priests, lectors, musicians, and others who participate during the mass. They also distribute hearing devices to those who want to use them during the liturgy. Each volunteer is scheduled on a rotating basis. Training is provided. One minister is needed for each weekend Mass, funerals, and weddings. If you are uncomfortable in a group learning environment, one on one instruction is available.

Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Sacristan

The Ministry of Sacristan in the Catholic Church has changed over the years. Many years ago, the main duty of the Sacristan was the handling and laying out of the vestments for the priest.

Today the responsibility of the Sacristan ministry is to ensure that parishioners have available to them a clean, comfortable and peaceful atmosphere in which to worship.

The sacristan works closely with the staff to see that all the linens are laundered, ironed and in good repair. They also replenish candles throughout the church and memory chapel and assure the inventories are kept up to date. They respond to the call for help by assisting on a rotating basis.

The requirements are simple:
- to be a member in good standing of the parish
- to have the desire to serve your fellow parishioners in the Ministry
This "behind the sceens" ministry is a vital part of the Mass. Contact the parish office to join in this ministry.

Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of our Sunday and Holy Day Masses and are open to both youth and adults who are in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Liturgical Ministries

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