Liturgical Duties

Ushers Do use the tamper evident bags for collections. Front doors should be closed before and after Mass as not to waste electricity on heating and cooling. The head usher should: check bulletin for 2nd collection information, find substitute ushers if needed, and choose gift bearers. Do a simple head bow with the gift bearers in unison when bringing up gifts. Make sure bathroom lights and fans are off after each Mass.

Readers Close door to sacristy after entering sanctuary from sacristy. Pause for at least 10 seconds between readings so people have time to reflect on what was just read. This applies to weekend and weekday Masses. Don’t read Alleluia antiphon. It should be sung or simply not said at all.  Readers on weekdays: Father will read the entrance antiphon. The reader will lead the communion antiphon, just do not read the alleluia antiphon.  When no music on weekends, read the entrance antiphon and communion antiphon, just do not read the alleluia antiphon.

Altar Servers Make sure candles are lit before Mass starts. The black cassock should go down to your ankles. Wait till words of hymn begin before moving for procession and recessional. Process up to the altar at a moderate pace, that is, don’t rush like it’s the Olympics. When leading the recessional (exiting at the end of Mass), walk a bit faster, but don’t rush. As a rule of thumb, never rush, it distracts the people who are praying and then all eyes become fixed on you. Come up to Father behind the altar. Do not make him come over to you. You should stand at an arm’s length from Father so he can take the gifts from you and wash his hands. The same applies when handing him the incense. Do a simple head bow when handing items to and from Father.

Musicians Do sing Alleluia for gospel. Do sing the Great Amen. Start playing music after I drink from chalice. Start post-Communion hymn a few seconds after 1st hymn concludes.

Extraordinary Ministers Wipe cups well after each communicant receives the Blood. Wipe both sides of the vessel, so that there aren’t lip marks on the cups. Consume the remaining Precious Blood if you’re able. Sometimes it’s a lot for the priest to consume. Host ministers will first distribute to center aisles, and then walk to outside aisles to distribute. Place ciborium (Communion bowl) back on altar after distribution.

Sacristans Make sure AC or heat is on. Do be attentive to the number of hosts already in the tabernacle. Fill oil in candles for weekend when setting up for Saturday Vigil Mass. Do rinse out water and wine cruets after Mass and replace lids so flies, mosquitoes, and mold will be deterred. After the 4:00PM and 9:00AM Masses, it would be a big help if you could extinguish candles and move vessels from the credence table (especially Fr. Jared’s chalice) back into the sacristy to prevent theft. Outside of Mass times, please keep sacristy door from inside and outside locked to prevent theft.