St. Christopher Parish at 20141 Detroit Road, Rocky River, OH 44116 US - Worship Ministry

Eucharistic Ministers

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you.”     Matthew 26: 26-27

Purpose:  Ministers of communion assist with the distribution of Eucharist during Mass.  Some also are commissioned to bring communion to those who are homebound and hospitalized.

Commitment:  Those who take on this ministry must be individuals who have a true reverence for what they are doing; sharing the Lord’s Body and Blood with the assembly.

Preparation:  New Eucharistic Ministers are required to participate in a three hour diocesan training session offered twice yearly at locations throughout the diocese as well as attend a parish training session.  New parishioners who have served as Eucharistic Ministers elsewhere are welcome to serve here.

Worship Committee

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”     Philippians 4: 6-7

Purpose:  The Worship Committee plans, reviews, and implements seasonal decorations, liturgies, and other liturgical prayer such as communal penance, Lenten devotions, Block Party Mass, and other prayer as needed.  It also oversees all liturgical ministries including lectors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers, and cantors.

Commitment:  The Worship Commission meets 9 times a year, September through June.  Being part of the commission includes attendance at meetings, willingness to help coordinate specific liturgies, and decorating the church as needed.

Preparation:  No formal training is needed.  Liturgical education is included as a part of each monthly meeting.

The Ministry of Usher

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”         Hebrews 13:2

Purpose:  The usher’s ministry is to greet people warmly, to introduce strangers, to help people be seated, to care for any needs that come up, to take up the offertory collection, to help with good order during the Communion rite and to distribute bulletins at the end of Mass.

Commitment:  Ushers serve at one weekend Liturgy and on other occasions as needed.

Preparation:  Ushers need to have a hospitable attitude as well as an understanding and deep respect for liturgical prayer.

Acolytes/Mass Servers

“Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”  But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.”

Jeremiah 1: 6-7

Purpose:  Acolytes assist the priest at Mass and set an example of prayer and attentiveness for the faithful.  They prepare the sanctuary for Mass, assist with the lighting of candles and preparation of the gifts, and serve as bookbearer for the priest.

Commitment:  Grade school students serve weekend Masses and weekday Masses at 7:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.  High school students serve weekend Masses and weddings.  Adult acolytes serve for funerals.

Preparation:  Boys and girls from grade 6 and up are invited to serve as Acoytes for Sunday and daily Masses.  Students from St. Christopher School, St. Christopher PSR, or high school students are all welcome in this ministry.  There is a formal training of six sessions for all student servers.  Adults who wish to be funeral servers are welcome to serve at any time.

Lectors

“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.  He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”     Isaiah 50:4

Purpose:  Those who proclaim the Word of God have the awesome task of communicating God’s word to the assembly.

Commitment:  Lectors serve at weekend Masses and at special celebrations such as Holy Week liturgies.  Vatican II reminded lectors that “they exercise a genuine liturgical function.  They ought 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.”

Preparation:  Lectors must possess a good speaking voice and be able to enunciate and pronounce words appropriately.  Training sessions for lectors occur as needed.

Music Ministry

“I will play for Him on my harp, with my lute and ten-stringed lyre. I will greet the Lord with my song, I will sing of the ways of the Lord!”

Purpose:  To assist the assembly in their sung prayer and reflection. 

Commitment:

• Adult Choir:  Open to all, high school age and older, the adult choir performs a vast repertoire of music and styles.  Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7 until 9 pm in the choir rehearsal room.  This groups normally sings for the 10:30 Sunday Mass, various liturgical feasts (i.e. Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil, etc.), special events (i.e. Block Party), and performs two concerts each year at Christmas and Lent.

• Cantors:  These individuals assist the congregation by leading song at Masses on Sundays (except 7:00 am), holy days, patriotic holidays, and other special occasions. Cantors are members of the adult choir and rehearse the weekly music at choir practice on Thursdays.  Generally, cantors schedule themselves in coordination with Christian Fisher.  Cantors need not be trained soloists, but need to have a pleasant voice and be comfortable working in front of the congregation.  All weddings at St. Christopher require a cantor, which provides our cantors with additional opportunities.

•  Instrumentalists:  Anyone who is competent in their particular instrument is welcome to join our ensemble that accompanies the choir at the 10:30 Mass on Sundays and at other special Masses or ceremonies.  All are welcome whether woodwind, brass, guitar (acoustic or electric), percussion, etc.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings in the choir rehearsal room at 7 pm.  For some instruments, the ability to read and transpose is necessary.

 Music Opportunities for Children

• Children’s Choir:  Open to all children of the parish in grades K-3, this group generally sings on the first and third Sundays of the month at the 9:00 am Family Mass.  Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 3:30-4:00 pm in Church.  Led by Michelle Sears and Christian Fisher.

• Junior Choir:   All children of the parish in grades 4-8 are welcome.  This group generally sings on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at the 9:00 am Family Mass.  They also sing for school liturgies and sing with the adult choir at several Masses and concerts.  Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 4-5 pm in the choir rehearsal room.  Led by Michelle Sears and Christian Fisher.

• Junior Cantors:  Outstanding youngsters from the junior choir will be invited to lead song as cantors at the 9:00 am Family Mass.  They rehearse individually with Christian Fisher at 3 pm on Thursdays.  Junior Cantors must be comfortable to work in front of the congregation. 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Purpose:  Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) for children ages 5 to 10 is offered during the

9 am Sunday Mass to allow children to hear and discuss the Scripture Readings on their level. 

Commitment:  To teach preschool children and witness your faith to them on their level.  The teaching takes place Sundays during the 9:00 A.M. Mass on a rotating basis among instructors.

Preparation:  Training is offered by the staff of the Parish Religious Education Office.