Liturgical Ministries
Altar Care Altar Servers
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Greeters Lectors Liturgy Committee
Music Ministries Ushers
For Parishioners with Disabilities
In the New Testament the word "liturgy" refers not only to the celebration of divine worship but also to the proclamation of the Gospel and to active charity. In all of these situations it is a question of the service of God and neighbor. In a liturgical celebration the Church is servant in the image of her Lord, the one "Leitourgos"; she shares in Christ's priesthood (worship), which is both prophetic (proclamation) and kingly (service of charity):
| The liturgy then is rightly seen as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. It involves the presentation of man's sanctification under the guise of signs perceptible by the senses and its accomplishment in ways appropriate to each of these signs. In it full public worship is performed by the Mystical body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and his members. From this it follows that every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the priest and of his Body which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others. No other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree. |
Liturgy as source life - As the work of Christ liturgy is also an action of his Church. It makes the Church present and manifests her as the visible sign of the communion in Christ between God and men. It engages the faithful in the new life of the community and involved the "conscious, active, and fruitful participation" of everyone. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1070 - 1071 - for more information see 1066 - 1069 & 1072 - 1075)
The Infinite Value of the Holy Mass
The Holy Mass is the highest form of worship. It is the sacrifice of Calvary renewed. One Mass gives God more praise and thanksgiving, makes more atonement for sin, and pleads more eloquently than does the combined and eternal worship of all the souls in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory.
In the Holy Mass, it is Jesus Christ, God, as well as Man, who is our Intercessor, our Priest and our Victim. Being God - as well as Man - His prayers, merits, and His offerings are infinite in value.
Why We Should Hear Holy Mass
The Mass is the best means we have:
- To render God the highest form of worship.
- To thank Him for all His blessings.
- To make reparation for all our sins.
- To obtain all the blessings we desire.
- To release souls from purgatory and to shorten our own time there.
- To preserve us from all dangers to soul and body.
- To be consoled at the hour of death, for at that moment their memory will be our greatest consolation.
- To intercede for us at the Judgment Seat of God.
- To bring down God's blessings; therefore, try to assist at Mass every day, or as often as possible, and twice on Sundays.
- To better understand the sublimity of the Passion of Christ, and therefore, to increase our love for Him.
Method of Assisting at Holy Mass
It is a common practice to commit our prayers to petition. This is a mistake. We owe God, first of all, adoration; secondly, gratitude. We can never thank Him sufficiently, though we were to employ eternity in so doing, for the innumerable gifts, material and spiritual, temporal and eternal, which He bestowed upon us. Life, redemption, our Catholic faith, preservation from grave sin, the grace of conversion, health, relatives and friends - these are but a few of God's Gifts. Let us rejoice, therefore, to thank God by means of the Holy Mass. After adoration and thanksgiving comes atonement. Prostrate at the foot of Calvary's cross, down which the most precious blood of Jesus Christ flows from His gaping wounds, we should beg pardon for our sins which have thus nailed Christ to the cross. Let us ask Him to pour His precious blood over our souls that they may be cleansed from their polluting stains. Prayer of petition should not be forgotten. In it we beg of God for the favors of which we stand in need. (Marians of the Immaculate Conception)
Altar Care
Although the primary function of Altar Care is working in the church sacristy, this busy and modest group performs a wide variety of tasks. Come and join us any Friday morning after 8 o'clock Mass. All help is greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in participating in this ministry contact Audrey Muller - 937-6950
Altar Servers
It is a special privilege for a young person to serve at Mass. Parents should consider the serving of Mass as part of their child's religious education and encourage their youngsters to strive to attain this goal. Youths in grade 5 and older may participate in this very special ministry. If you have children that are interested in participating in this ministry contact Sr. Catherine Sullivan, DMJ, at 937-4555.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Eucharistic Ministers are key lay persons within the Church. They assist the whole community in the Communion rite. Their primary obligation is to assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion when priests and deacons are not available. In our parish, they assist in this sacred duty at each Sunday Mass and on any other occasion when they may be needed. This ministry and scheduling are under the direction of Deacon Bob Maciel.
Additionally, our Eucharistic Ministers take the Body of Christ to parish members who are confined to their homes or local rest homes. This very special ministry of love incorporates the homebound elderly and ill members of our parish into a closer relationship with God and our parish family.
Schedules Eucharistic Ministers for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation - Deacon Bob Maciel - 937-2393
Schedules Eucharistic Ministers for Weekdays - Ann Kuczkowski 937-6686
Schedules Eucharistic Ministers for the Sick - Jack Brey 937-7773
Greeters
All parishioners should take turns to welcome their fellow parishioners, especially newcomers and visitors, at the church doors. This ministry is on a rotating basis and you determine the length of your commitment. "This is how they will know that you are my disciples, your love for one another." (John 13:35)
Duties of Greeters:
- A Greeter is a person or a couple of the parish who stand at the door and warmly welcome all who enter. A Greeter will normally be nicely dressed, identified by a Greeting Ministry button or a Welcome card, and positioned to greet fifteen minutes before the beginning of the Mass or meeting. The Greeter may stand near the entrance of the church.
- The greeting is usually a spoken word such as "Welcome, 'Good Morning' or 'Hello!'" and a sign of Peace such as a smile, a handshake or a hug.
- Greeters should all work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit.
Lectors
Effective proclaiming of the Word of God at the Liturgy is the responsibility of the person who serves as Lector. Anyone interested in this ministry will receive training in proper techniques, appropriate dress and delivery. For more complete information please contact Deacon Doug Halvorsen at 934-2039.
Schedules Lectors for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation - Deacon Doug - 934-2039
Schedules Lectors for 8:00 a.m. Weekdays and First Fridays and 5:30 p.m. during Lent and Advent- Anne Kuczkowski - 937-6686
Schedules Lectors for 6:30 a.m. Weekdays - Darlene Cassio - 938-0874
Liturgical Committee
Plans and coordinates the appropriate celebration of the Liturgical seasons, special feast days or themes. The Committee also interfaces with all of the liturgical ministries. Volunteers for specific preparation teams are always needed. Contact Sister Cathering Sullivan, DMJ at 937-4555 or Sr.Catherine@sldm.org
Liturgy Committee Members
| Sr. Catherine Sullivan, DMJ | Chairperson |
| Fr. Charles Hofschulte, C.J. | Pastor |
| Christine Duhbander | Director Religious Education |
| Deacon Bob Marciel | Eucharistic Ministers |
| Deacon Richard Carmody | Ushers |
| Robert Maurer | PPC/Decorating Committee |
| Rosemary Hill | EM/Lector |
| Elena Diaz | Hispanic Ministry |
| Reynoldo Perez | Hispanic Ministry |
| Paul Klock | Altar server (Easter/Christmas) |
| Betty Hansen | 11:30 Choir |
| Mary Louise Oswald | 11:30 Choir |
| Monica Thayer | 6:00 Sunday Choir |
| Carol Stalder | 9:30 Choir |
| Barbara Wiley | Special Masses |
Music Ministries
The music ministries at St. Louis de Montfort provide those who enjoy singing with an opportunity to become involved in our church liturgy. Come and join us in joyful noise unto the Lord.
9:30 AM Choir
The 9:30 AM Choir is a small ensemble consisting of vocals, piano, guitar and bass. It provides contemporary liturgical music for worship and prayer. Contact: Carol Stalder at 937-3937
11:30 AM Choir
The 11:30 AM choir sings more traditional church music. Contact: Betty Hanson at 937-4977
6:00 PM Choir
This choir helps our young adults and families pray as a community. Contact: Monica Thayer at 938-9966
5:30 PM Saturday
There is currently a vacancy
Hispanic Choir - Saturday, 6:45 PM
The Spanish choir sings at the Hispanic Mass on Saturday evening, in bilingual liturgies, quinceañera and weddings. Contact: Luis Perez at 928-3246
Ushers
Our ushers are also part of the initial greeters to all who come to Mass at St. Louis de Montfort. They are identified by an "Usher" badge. Their contact with the parish family carries through the collection, offertory procession, Eucharist and dismissal at the conclusion of Mass. Contact Deacon Richard Carmody at 937-8627
Duties of Ushers:
- To assist parishioners as needed
- To ensure the environment (windows, heating, lighting) is satisfactory
- To oversee the taking up of the Sunday offerings and to select families to participate in the Offertory Procession.
For Parishioners With Disabilities
It is our goal to give everybody the message of being welcome in the celebrations of our parish family. If you need special assistance in the church, please contact the ushers and/or Eucharistic ministers. Handicapped parking spots are as close to the church as the county regulations permit. With some of the 1992-1993 church renovations we want to better meet the needs of parishioners in wheel chairs. For any oversight forgive us and communicate your recommendations.
