St. Isidore Parish is blessed with an active community of Liturgical Ministers who place their time and talent at the service of the liturgical assembly.
Here are the number of ministers for the eight weekend Masses:
- Mass Coordinators – 28
- Altar Servers – 82
- Lectors – 108
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Eucharist – 228
Liturgy Coordinator Sue Entwistle has the daunting task of coordinating the schedules for all these ministers. Three times a year Sue emails all the ministers for any dates they are not able to serve in the coming months, as well as any other requests such as Mass changes or requests to take a break from a ministry. She then compiles this information from all the ministers and creates a master schedule for each Mass time.
In addition to scheduling, Sue trains the ministers. One new lector and two new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Eucharist attended the most recent training for new ministers which was held in August – and all three new ministers are teens. The next formal training will be in the spring, but Sue is “willing to work in a private training before then, especially for 7:00 AM Mass”, as there is a need for additional Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Altar servers are also needed for 7:00 AM Mass.
Besides the formal training, liturgical ministers are provided a handbook. Sue, as well as all ministers, are more than willing to answer questions and provide support as needed.
It’s not enough that only some parishioners are actively involved as liturgical ministers. As stated in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council, “The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy.” Liturgical ministry is an excellent opportunity to answer the baptismal call to serve one another and utilize the talents and gifts God gave you.
Can we count on you?