If you are interested in serving in any of these liturgical ministries, please contact the Rectory
(215-657-0252).
Altar Servers help the priest in the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical rites. Altar servers should learn about all that pertains to their important role in the Mass, and they should strive to grasp the inner spiritual meaning of these things. In this way, servers will be examples to all of reverence for sacred things and sincere love for the Church. It is an extreme privilege to serve at the altar.
One must never forget that serving at the Mass is prayer. A server should participate in Mass fully by singing in a moderate voice and saying the prayers with the rest of the assembled community. A server has a solemn responsibility to do the assigned duties with attention, dignity, and especially with great reverence.
Remember that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Altar servers can be any age, and we especially encourage parents to share their love for the Church by serving as altar servers with their children.
Cantors assist with the leading of the sung prayer at Mass.
If you are interested in participating in the liturgical ministry of Cantoring, please contact the Music Ministry leaders at music@stdavidparish.org. You would need to meet the following qualifications:
- Have a good voice that sounds invitational to lead the Assembly in singing;
- Dress appropriately for Mass;
- Have eye contact with the Assembly;
- Be prepared for the liturgy;
- Arrive at least 15-20 minutes before Mass.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest it the celebration of the Eucharist, so that there are a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion, so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner.
When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, “the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose.”
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence.
All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.
Lectors proclaim the first and second readings during the Mass. Someone considering the ministry of Lector should:
- be comfortable with public speaking,
- have a good command of the English language,
- arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the Mass,
- familiarize themselves with the readings ahead of time.
Ushers are people chosen to reflect the warmth and welcome of Christ himself. Always conscious of Christ’s words “For I was…a stranger and you welcomed me,” (Matthew 25:35), ushers are usually the first official representative of the church that people meet when they arrive. The ushers’ dress, attitude, words, demeanor, body language all speak a message to the worshiper.
By assuring a welcoming presence and orderly seating at all Masses, you enhance the beauty of the Liturgy and become an instrument through whom God may be present to those in worship. A person’s willingness to serve God in the capacity as an usher reflects their commitment to Christ.