MASS GUIDELINES FOR LITURGICAL
SERVERS
Up
Eucharistic Ministers, Adult Altar Servers and
Lectors
Youth Altar Servers
Hospitality
Ministers
 There
have been significant changes to the guidelines. Please review the following guidelines before serving.
Please:
Arrive at least 20 minutes
before Mass.
Sign in on the sign-in sheet
at the vestibule work room.
LECTORS:
Retrieve the Lectionary and
the Brown binder from the lectern. Sometimes it is already on the first
pew. If you are unable to lector on the
date assigned arrange for a substitute or call Shirley.
Read the brown
binder for any current instructions regarding any changes in the normal
procedure. Check with the song leader at your
Mass regarding the Responsorial Psalm. If the choir does not sing it
then the lector would say it. Check to make
sure the book of Gospels has been placed on the offertory table.
At seven minutes before Mass is
scheduled to start, join Father and the other servers in the Sacristy
for prayer. After the prayer gather quietly at the back of the church
and wait for the procession.
At four minutes before Mass, one
lector goes to the ambo and reads the introductory statements, then
returns to the back of the church for the procession.
EEMS: If anyone has not signed in by
10 minutes before Mass begins, the co-captains will look for and
assign replacements.
If you are scheduled to serve
but know you cannot be there, please find your own replacement and
call the co-captains.
ALL: Ministers, lectors and altar
servers will gather in the Sacristy seven minutes prior to the
beginning of Mass for prayer with Father.
At the beginning of Mass, we
process to the altar:
The Mass begins with the
procession from the back of the church to the Altar. As the line is
formed in the back of the church, Altar Servers are first with the
Altar Server who will carry the crucifix in front.
Next will be the Eucharistic
Ministers, in two rows, with the Cup Ministers on the right and the
Host Ministers on the left.
The Lectors follow the
Eucharistic Ministers, lined up one behind the other, the last one
will carry the Book of Gospels.
Father will follow the Lectors.
During the procession leave a
space of about one pew between each group (Altar Servers, Ministers,
and Lectors).
The Altar Server who carries
the crucifix will come to the bottom of the steps at the center of
the Altar, pause briefly, then ascend the steps; and place the
crucifix in its stand. The Server will then proceed to the
appropriate chair, face the Altar, and remain standing.
The remaining Altar Servers
continue to the bottom of the Altar steps, align themselves with the
left and right legs of the Altar, and leave a space for Father
between them.
The Cup Ministers follow and
position themselves to the immediate right of the right Altar
Server.
The Host Ministers will proceed
to the left, and position themselves to the left of the left Altar
Server and leave a space for Lector #2 between the first Host
Minister and that Altar Server.
All Eucharistic Ministers
are to position themselves to the immediate left or right of the
Minister before them, to form a line without uneven spaces between
them.
Lector #2 will then fill in the
space between the left Altar Server and the 1st Host Minister.
Lector #1 (carrying the Book of
Gospels) will pause briefly at the bottom of the steps, ascend the
steps and place the Book of Gospels in the holder on the Altar, then
proceed to the Ambo and face the Altar.
As Father bows, all Servers,
Ministers, and Lectors, will bow reverently with him (this is a full
from-the-waist bow).
Father will ascend the steps
and venerate the Altar.
After Father kisses the Altar
all Ministers, Lectors and Servers will return to their seats. Lectors will sit in the first
left pew on the middle aisle. Eucharistic Ministries may sit where
they wish.
Father then will ascend the
upper steps and begin the Mass. When Father turns and says: "Let
us pray", one of the Altar Servers will bring and hold the book
for Father to read. At this same time, one of the other Altar
Servers will go around to the "prep" area in back of the Altar and
prepare the candle lighter.
When Father sits down the Altar
Server will light the candles at the Ambo. (If there is only one
Altar Server, the candles may be lit before Mass.) When the altar
server ignites the candles at the ambo, he/she then should bow to
the altar and then return to his/her place.
After the candles are lit, the
first Lector will stand and approach the steps directly in front of
Father, pause at the bottom of the steps and perform a slight bow,
then ascend the steps and proclaim the 1st reading. Upon completing
the proclamation, the Lector will descend the steps (again
directly in front of Father), turn, bow to the Altar, and return to
his/her seat. The the psalm responder and the second lector follow
the same steps each in their appropriate turn. (If the psalm
responder is coming from the choir he/she makes their way directly
to the ambo from the choir area, pausing to bow to the Altar as the
pass.
Note for Lector #2:
Remain at the ambo while Father is processing from the Altar with
the Book of Gospels. Lector #2 then proclaims the Gospel
Acclamation, removes both the binder and the lectionary to make room
for Father to place the Book of Gospels on the Ambo. Lector #2 then
descends the Altar steps, bows, and returns to his/her seat.
Father proceeds to the Ambo,
proclaims the Gospel and preaches the homily.
After the homily, Father will
return to the upper level and begin the Creed.
While the last two lines of the
Creed are recited, Lector #2 returns to the Ambo, (again pause
briefly with a slight bow at the foot of the steps) waits for Father
to introduce the Prayers of the Faithful, and then recites the
General Intercessions and the Prayers of the Faithful. Lector #2
remains at the Ambo after the Prayers of the Faithful until Father
has read the concluding prayer to this part of the liturgy.
Father will be seated while the
ushers take up the collection.
The Altar Servers prepare the
Altar and extinguish the candles at the Ambo and light the candles
at the Altar. (If there is only one Altar Server, the candles may be
lit before and extinguished after Mass.)
Upon completion of the
collection, Father and one of the Altar Servers will proceed to
receive the gifts and bless the donations at the bottom of the Altar
steps.
When Father places the gifts on
the Altar, the Altar Server will bring the cruet of water for Father
to mix the wine and water and retrieve the empty wine carafe and
provide the bowl and towel so he may perform the ceremonial
cleansing. Father will continue with prayer and the consecration,
followed by the Lord's Prayer.
Father will then pronounce the
words, "Peace be with you". THIS IS
THE CUE FOR THE EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, who will then
proceed to the foot of the steps near the Chapel. The Cup Ministers
line up immediately adjacent to the steps with #6 at the far right.
The Host Ministers line up in back of the Cup Ministers.
After Father has retrieved the
ciborium from the tabernacle and placed it on the Altar, the
Eucharistic Ministers ascend the steps in an orderly fashion with
Minister #6 leading the way. Minister #6 goes directly to the
credence table to pick up a purificator and proceeds to a position
directly in front of Father's chair. The remaining Cup Ministers
will collect their purificators and follow #6.
The Host Ministers follow the
Cup Ministers to the credence table and stop to cleanse and dry
their fingers. All the Ministers will place themselves in a straight
line (not a semi circle) allowing the parishioners in the Chapel a
complete view of the Altar.
When Father receives the
Precious Blood, Eucharistic Minister #6 will proceed to Father's
immediate right to receive communion and to follow Father, giving
the Precious Blood to the other Ministers.
When all Ministers have
received the Precious Blood, Eucharistic Minister #6 shall place the
chalice on the Altar and remain at Father's right in order to
receive his/her cup.
Wait for the priest to leave
the altar before going to your assigned positions. All Ministers
will then proceed to their assigned station to distribute communion.
The only appropriate words
when distributing communion are "The Body of Christ” or "The Blood
of Christ". Smile!! Receiving the Body and
Blood of Christ is a joyous occasion!
Minister #1 will give
communion to the organist, choir leader or lead guitarist at their
positions in the choir area. The remainder of the choir should
receive communion at the Minister #1 and #2 positions by
intermingling with other parishioners.
Ministers #9 and #10 will give
communion to the Altar Servers before going to their communion
stations.
At the 4 p.m. Mass, when
Minister #9 completes distributing the Precious Blood please assist
Minister #2/3
NOTE
FOR ALL EMS:
If a Host is dropped, pick it
up and consume it. If the Precious Blood is spilled, cover it with
your purificator and we will clean it after Mass. Be sure to let
Father know about the spillage. An appropriate time to notify him
would be just after he is done distributing communion.
If a person comes to your
position for a blessing, hold up your hand and say "Christ's
peace be with you" Do not touch them – do not make
the sign of the cross – do not use words of blessing].
If you see another Host
minister in danger of running out of Hosts, switch ciboria with
them. If you, as a Host minister are running low of Hosts, glance
quickly and unobtrusively at the Altar as a signal to the other
ministers that you need more Hosts. If necessary you may fragment
the hosts.
If you have Precious Blood
remaining, please check to see if other cup ministers need it. If
so, switch communion cups with them. Do not pour the Precious Blood
from one cup to another. If your remaining Precious Blood is not
needed by other cup ministers, please consume the Precious Blood at
the credence table with your back to the people and then bring your
cup to the altar. Leave your purificator at the credence table.
After distribution of communion
at their station is complete, Ministers will return to the Altar (it
is permissible at this time to cross the sanctuary area behind the
Altar). Ministers do not stop to bow as they cross the Altar because
they are carrying Christ's blood or body.
The first Minister finished
will return to the location previously occupied by #6, other
Ministers will follow regardless of their minister number, and form
a straight line.
When Father returns the "Body
of Christ" to the tabernacle, all Ministers and Altar Servers
will turn in the direction and bow when Father genuflects.
When Father returns to the
Altar, all Ministers will file off the Altar and return to their
seats.
One of the Altar Servers then
provides Father with water to purify the sacred vessels. Father will
complete the purification process and return to his chair while the
Altar Servers clear the Altar.
After the final prayer and
blessing, one of the Altar Servers will remove the crucifix from its
holder, proceed to the bottom of the Altar steps, followed by the
other Altar Servers and Father. The lectors will arise and join them
at the bottom of the steps. All will bow to the Altar when Father
bows. The Altar Server holding the crucifix will lead the way to the
back of the church, followed by the other Altar Servers, the
Lectors, and Father.
Appropriate Dress for all
Lectors and Ministers:
Men:
Suit, jacket and slacks, shirt and tie
Women:
Dresses, skirts and blouses, skirt suits, pant
suits.
Optional summer dress code
for men for June, July, August, September only.
- dress shirt, tie,
jacket, trousers
- dress shirt, jacket (no
tie), trousers
- dress shirt, tie,
trousers
It is often very helpful if
you come to Mass in appropriate dress so you can be called upon to
act as a substitute if needed.
MINISTER POSITIONS to see a
picture of the positions in the church
click here.
1. Host Minister
2. Cup Minister
3. Cup Minister
4. Host Minister
5. Father
6. Cup Minister or Deacon
7. Cup Minister
8. Host Minister
9. Cup Minister (Chapel)
10. Host Minister (Chapel)
11. Host Minister (Special Occasions Only)
12. Host Minister (Special Occasions Only)
return to top
GUIDELINES
FOR HOSPITALITY MINISTERS
Thank you for volunteering for this
very important ministry. While participating in this ministry please
remember that you represent the church in making everyone feel welcome
to God's house.
Responsibilities of the hospitality ministers:
Check the bulletin
board in the work room prior to Mass for special instructions.
Please be ready to
greet parishioners 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass. Please
greet them in a friendly manner, smile, open the door for them,
offer to shake hands.
The head usher of
the day needs to select a family to bring up the gifts for the
offertory if there are not specific notes to the contrary in the
work room.
Please be
sensitive to the needs of others, especially the handicapped and
those who may be feeling ill (offer to help if needed). Also, there
are especially-selected areas in the front of the church for those in
wheel chairs and their families.
Watch for male
parishioners entering the church with hats, caps or hoods on -
politely ask them to remove them.
Be aware of anyone
using inappropriate language in the church and politely inform them
that it is not acceptable.
Be aware of people
(including Eucharistic Ministers) at the back of the church or
vestibule who are being loud and correct them.
Try to be aware of
open seating so that when the need arises, you will be prepared to
handle it.
Do not seat people
after the beginning of the readings and until the Homily is
completed. Please do this in the most friendly way. Also, do not seat people during the consecration (raising
of the host and the priest saying: "The Body of Christ" until the
"Great Amen'. The exception would be a sick person or possibly a
pregnant woman.
The head usher is
also responsible for soliciting help if there are not enough ushers
to take up the collection.
Take up the
collection - Prior to the collection, come forward to the front of
the church at your respective positions, bow in unison and then
begin your collection.
The head usher or
designated representative will bring the monetary offering to the
altar.
After presenting
the monetary offering, return to the back of the church and join
with one other usher and take the offering to the sacristy. Once in
the sacristy remove the money from the basket and place it in one or
more of the large plastic money envelopes stored there. Remove the
tape from the top of the envelope(s), and seal them closed. Using
the pens stored in the sacristy write the time and date of the Mass,
whether it is the first or second collection, and the names of the two ushers on the plastic envelope. Place the
envelope in the safe. Return to the main church for the rest of the
Mass.
If you encounter a
child that will not stop crying, respectfully suggest the "cry room"
to the parent.
If you observe a
child wandering around the church, especially on the altar area
please locate the parents or guide the child back to their seat.
Correct people
that are interfering with the normal flow of the service.
Inform people that
no photographs are to be taken from the altar.
When receiving
Communion, rather than you receiving together in the center aisle,
we want you to receive last, separately in your respective area.
This accomplishes two things; you are truly being hospitable by
allowing everyone to go before you and secondly, if you have a
parishioner that cannot come forward to receive communion, you will
be there to guide the Eucharistic Ministers to their location.
Pass out the
bulletins at the end of Mass.
Make sure the pews
and books are in good orderly condition for the following Mass.
Be especially
watchful during the Christmas Eve celebration of people who may have
over indulged and be prepared to escort them out of the church.
On Palm Sunday
keep the vestibule area clear, as Father, the Deacon and the
eucharistic ministers will be processing into the church after the
blessing of the palms, followed by the parishioners.
back to Hospitality Ministers page
back to home page
Guidelines for Youth Altar
Servers
|
These new guidelines have been
installed
so that no one is left out.
Please assist those that are
not
as qualified as you.
Thank you. John Bernatchy |
Position Number 1:
(a) Bring Father the book at the
beginning and end of Mass.
(b) Place the cup tray on the right side of the altar (observe
photograph on the Credence table).
(c) Bring the Chalice to the altar.
(d) Place the book (missal) on the left side of the altar.
(e) After Father has poured the wine and water, return the "wine carafe"
and the water cruet to the credence table.
(f) Bring the hand washing bowl to Father with server #2.
(g) After communion, when Father has cleansed the ciboria, return them to
the credence table.
Position Number 2:
(a) When Father says, "let us pray" and
sits down, light the candles at the ambo. (don't forget to bow to the
altar)
(b) After Father says "let us prepare the gifts", extinguish the candles
at the ambo and light the candles on the altar.
(c) Assist Server #1 in preparing the altar by placing the "pyx" tray
and the ciboria on the altar, bring the cruet of water to Father, then
assist Server #1 with the hand washing.
Position Number 3:
(a) Lead the procession carrying the
crucifix
(b) At the end of mass, lead the procession out of the church, then
return the crucifix to the altar and extinguish the candles.
Position Number 4:
(a) After the collection, accompany
Father to the bottom of the stairs and carry the ciborium up to the
altar, then remove the cover and place it on the credence table. If
Father calls for the "Ministers to the Ill" to come forward, accompany
Father with the "Pyx" tray and then return it to the credence table.
(b) After communion and after Father
has cleansed the Chalice, return it to the credence table.
return to top
This page last updated
on
Saturday, March 20, 2010 |
