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Below are descriptions of each ministry. If you’re ready to serve in one of these important roles, please contact the rectory at (773) 237-3011.

Altar Servers

Altar servers assist the priest in the church and on the altar during the Mass and other liturgical services. They are responsible for bringing and removing items from the altar and to assist in other duties during the services as directed by the priest or deacons.

Altar servers are scheduled to serve on weekend Masses on a rotating Mass time schedule. Altar servers also serve on holy days, funerals, and other liturgical events as scheduled by the altar server coordinator.

Eucharistic Ministers

A Eucharistic Minister is a parishioner selected by the Pastor and mandated by the Bishop, who helps distribute the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, during Holy Communion, when there is a need of extra hands. In the Catholic Mass, they are referred to more accurately as “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion” (the “ordinary” minister being the priest celebrant).

Eucharistic Ministers are called not only to minister the Body and Blood of Christ, but to have and maintain a strong faith, a sense of awe, and a desire to serve the Church and God’s people as the foundation for their ministry.

Eucharistic Ministers are also asked to bring Holy Communion to people within the parish community who are sick and/or homebound. The experience in bringing the Body of Christ to others, who cannot attend mass due to illness or other limitations, is truly a gift from God.

Hospitality

This ministry is composed by volunteers who are present at the church doors to welcome parishioners and guests as they come to Mass. There is nothing better than being welcomed by a cheerful volunteer when arriving for Mass. It is also a great way to meet people and share the love of Jesus. Anyone can be a Greeter, all you need is a smile and a welcoming demeanor!  You will be surprised what a difference it makes to the people you meet and to yourself.

Lectors

The proclamation of the Word of God is truly a service to the Church. Lectors bring the living Word of God to the liturgical assembly. The ministry of the Word should, therefore, be treated seriously and with great dignity. (GIRM 55)

The Word of God is not merely read during the liturgy… it is proclaimed. Effective proclamation involves the delivery of the message with clarity, conviction and appropriate pace.  It demands the ability to evoke faith in others by demonstrating one’s own faith. Proclamation is a special ministry which presupposes faith.  It also rouses faith in those who hear the Word proclaimed.  (LM Intro 55)

Ministers of Care

Ministry of Care to the sick is a pastoral ministry of caring for those who are hospitalized, in nursing homes or confined to private homes. Ministers are trained and formed to conduct pastoral visits with time to listen and pray about the concerns of the sick or shut-in person and to share Eucharist with them.

The person who cares for the sick and shut-in needs to have specific qualities and gifts, including a listening presence, compassion and empathy, a non-judgmental mindset, confidentiality, commitment and follow-through, prayerfulness, a gentle demeanor and commitment to continuous training and spiritual development.

Music

Liturgical music is a priority at Ss. Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr, in keeping both with our Catholic tradition as well as the nature of our common, sacramental prayer at Holy Mass and other liturgical services. While the primary ministry of liturgical music rightly belongs to the congregation, it is encouraged and supported by particular ministers of music who seek, above all things, to enable the full, conscious, and active participation of the People of God in divine worship.

Sacristans

The sacristan is the person who carefully arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things necessary in the celebration of Mass. He or she, under the general direction of the clergy, undertakes the overall preparation of liturgical celebrations. The sacristan thus arranges the books needed for the celebration. He or she lays out the vestments and anything else needed for the celebration, such as cruets, chalices, ciboria, linens, oils, processional crosses, candles and torches. He or she also takes care of the ringing of bells that announce the celebrations. This is a sample of what a sacristan does. It suffices to say that a good sacristan is a godsend to any parish.

Ushers

Ushers and Greeters are called to be Ministers of Hospitality. They are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcoming and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship. They are the first point of contact for the communal celebration of the Liturgy and because of this, should take special steps in being living representatives of the Parish mission. Ministers of Hospitality minister to the entire community in a very active way.