Over 3500 parishioners and visitors are welcomed to the Lord’s Table during the course of each week at St. John of the Cross Parish at 5 weekend and 6 weekday liturgies. These numbers are supported by the over 450 liturgical ministers who contribute to our worship through their service and participation in the liturgy. Communion ministers, lectors, choir members, altar servers, ushers, children’s liturgy of the word leaders and sacristans support the worship life of the parish. These ministers give of their time and talent at SJC by acting as stewards of the liturgy for the spiritual enrichment of all who attend.
If you have never served as a liturgical minister, this is your invitation! Just as ministers serve the community, the ministry serves the minister. There are so many parts of the Mass that provide for spiritual growth and a wonderful sense of community working together. Watch for upcoming training dates this fall.
Ministry Scheduler Pro Tutorial
Altar Server
Altar Servers are baptized Catholics who have made their First Holy Communion and are either in 6th, 7th or 8th Grade. New Altar Servers must attend a Training Session in the fall. Training prepares them to serve at weekday and weekend Masses. Experienced servers are invited to serve for Weddings and Funerals and receive a monetary stipend. Additional training is required.
Introduction to Altar Server Ministry
- Slide Presentation
- Altar Server Training Guide & Handbook
- Weekday Liturgy Video
- Weekend Liturgy Video
- Funeral Liturgy Video
Contact: Fr. Marc Reszel
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Children from kindergarten through 3rd grade celebrate the Sunday Scriptures and pray together in the Community Room of the church during Mass at the Sunday 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Children's Liturgy will be at the 9:00am Mass only. Youngsters are formally dismissed from the Mass and led by adult prayer leaders immediately following the Opening Prayer. They come back to the regular assembly for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This program is a part of our regular liturgy and does not require registration or payment.
Sunday Lectionary Readings for Children
Contact: Lori Birkey (708) 784-1201
Communion Minister
Communion Ministers are trained and available to assist the Celebrant in the distribution of the Body & Blood of Christ during weekday and Sunday Masses. The ministry is open to adults and high school youth who have a sincere love and appreciation for God's gift of the Eucharist. In addition to the desire to serve, Extraordinary Ministers must be baptized Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion and Confirmation, must go through training and must be free to receive the sacrament and not restrained though a marriage situation. Communion Ministers must be a high school sophomore or older.
Contact: Fr. Marc Reszel
Lector
Lectors proclaim the Word of God during Mass. Those who are interested in this ministry should have a sincere love of Scripture and a desire to proclaim. This ministry is open to adults and high school youth who are registered members of the parish. Those seeking training must be members of this parish and must be fully initiated Roman Catholics.
Contact: Fr. Marc Reszel
Sacristan
Sacristans are high school teens who are responsible for setting up for Mass, assisting servers, purifying vessels after Mass and locking the church. Sacristans are invited to this ministry based on their participation and interest as altar servers.
Contact: Fr. Marc Reszel
Usher
Ushers warmly welcome all to our church. To new folks and visitors, they are the first impression of our community. Ushers are adults over the age of 16. Ushers help seat the assembly at weekend Masses and gather the collection. Head ushers at each Mass are AED/CPR certified.
Contact: Fr. Marc Reszel