When the faithful of our community gather, we become a visible sign of the Body of Christ. During this "sacrament of unity" the whole Body of the Church is involved in many different ways. Many of the important Liturgical functions of our celebrations are entrusted to the laity, who are drawn from the community, trained by the parish, and entrusted with the sincere devotion and decorum expected of them by God's people. Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Altar servers, Ministers of Hospitality [Ushers and Greeters] and Music Ministers all exercise a genuine liturgical function and are an integral part of our celebrations.
Lay ministers foster the mission of Christ that flows from baptism and put their gifts at the disposal of the community for the common good and in response to specific needs. Since the Second Vatican Council new opportunities have emerged for lay men and women in the Church.
In 2005 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry. This monumental document addresses a wide spectrum of issues to be considered in the development of lay ministry and calls for continued dialogue as together – clergy, religious and laity – respond to new challenges in our Church.
St. Michael's is blessed to have many dedicated, competent men, women, and children, who generously share the gifts entrusted to them by the Holy Spirit to serve the People of God. When people with particular qualities are matched with the liturgical roles that call for those qualities, the liturgy can speak powerfully to us, moving us to prayer.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
By "extraordinary" we do not mean special, distinguished or set apart. The ordinary ministers of the Eucharist are the priests and deacons. Primarily, the extraordinary ministers of communion assist with the distribution of Holy Communion, under both species, and are often called upon to set-up for Mass, and clean the vessels after they have been purified by the priest or deacon.  Those who are called to this ministry must, above all else, know how to be truly present to others in the moment they have. They are brothers and sisters in this very body and blood they are sharing, and not only speak their own faith in saying "body of Christ," they call forth the faith of the one receiving. They may also bring the Holy Eucharist to those who are homebound, in nursing homes or hospitals, or in prison. To be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, you must be a Roman Catholic, at least 16 years old, who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. If married, you must have received the Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church.  Ministry formation and training sessions are offered throughout the year with the expectation of regular attendance.

Lector
The spirit of the parish community will be nourished through the meaningful proclamation of the Word of God. The lector clearly and understandably proclaims the Word of God to the assembly.  Lectors must feel comfortable standing in front of the assembly, have good oral communication skills and the ability to read effectively. Lectors are called from the assembly and minister to and with the assembly. Lectors are expected to attend continuing ministry formation and training sessions throughout the year.

Ministry of Hospitality / Usher
Ushers or hospitality ministers help make people feel welcome, help find available seats and introduce people to each other, take up the collection and ensure its safekeeping. They recruit a family or group of individuals who will bring forth the bread, wine, food for the poor, hand out bulletins or other material, assist those who need special help, and answer questions. These tasks provide a wonderful opportunity for families to minister together. Ministry formation and training sessions are offered throughout the year with the expectation of regular attendance. If you are interested in adding your welcoming smile to our ministry, contact

Altar Servers
This ministry is open to boys and girls from the 5^th grade and above. Altar servers serve at all weekend liturgies and special celebrations throughout the year, such as weekday morning masses, funerals, and memorial masses. The various tasks of a altar server usually include assisting with the book of prayers when the Presider reads from it, carrying various objects in procession, such as the processional cross and candles, and perhaps assist in cleaning up after Mass. The main task of the server is to model liturgical prayer with grace and reverence and enter whole-heartedly into the public worship of the community. Altar servers are expected to be familiar with the ebb and flow of liturgy, to anticipate each movement, cue and need. Altar server training sessions are offered throughout the year with the expectation of regular attendance.

 Environment and Altar Care
This is a sub-committee of the Liturgy Committee. The proper physical environment is an essential part of good liturgy. Those who assist work with the creation of form, color and texture to appeal to the senses and create an atmosphere and mood for our liturgical space.  As members of the Altar Care Ministry, we maintain the appearance of the church (including the sacristy, sanctuary, and vestibule), through cleaning, polishing, and upkeep of the sacred space, caring for the linens and vestments, and keeping the church building in order.  We use our creative talents for this ministry once a week.  "Many hands make light work." If you feel inspired to join our team, please contact

Liturgical Vestment Care
While many liturgical vestments are made of materials that must be dry-cleaned, some are made of natural material and can be machine washed and dried. The albs worn by our altar servers for each liturgy are cared for on a regular basis by these "behind the scenes" ministers.