A Guide for Liturgical Ministers
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Church of the Nativity Liturgical Minister Guidebook A GUIDE FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS The purpose of this guidebook is to provide useful information for parishioners that serve as a liturgical minister at the Church of the Nativity. Duties, responsibilities and before Mass preparation for the ministries of master of ceremonies, lector, sacristan, extraordinary minister of the eucharist, usher, greeter and altar server are described in detail. It is certainly recognized and greatly appreciated that you serve a most important ministry within the church. Your dedication and devotion to serve the people of Nativity is a reflection of our faith as a family and christian community. In order to make the liturgical celebration a meaningful and pleasant experience for those who serve during the Mass, general guidelines and procedures have been developed While there are exceptions to most any guideline or procedure that may be written, it will be expected that all liturgical ministers study, review and follow the information contained in this guidebook. All procedures and processes must be continually evaluated for effectiveness, therefore, all ministers are encouraged to offer ideas/suggestions on any area that may need improving. Thank you for serving! Page 1 of 34 Church of the Nativity Liturgical Minister Guidebook INDEX Participants in Celebration of Mass 3 Altar Servers 4 Extraordinary Minister 8 Lay Minister of the Word (Lector) 13 Master of Ceremonies 18 Sacristan Minister 25 Usher & Greeter 29 Liturgical Crosses 31 Glossary 33 Page 2 of 34 Church of the Nativity Liturgical Minister Guidebook PARTICIPANTS IN CELEBRATING MASS (NOTE SEE ALSO: GLOSSARY) Altar Servers—One who assists at the altar in the celebration (i.e., carrying candles, carrying procession crosses, carrying items to and from the altar, etc.). Assembly—Those present to celebrate the liturgy. Other terms in use: “The Community,” “The Church (as people not building),” “The Worshippers,” “The Faithful,” or “the congregation.” It is the entire assembly (ordained and nonordained) that celebrates the liturgy of the Mass . Cantor—One who leads the congregation in singing during the liturgy (e.g., the Responsorial Psalm). Celebrant—One who presides over the assembly and consecrates the Eucharistic Sacrament. The term presider is used. Concelebrants—Those priests and bishops who join the celebrant in consecrating the eucharist at the Mass. Cross bearer—The one who carries the cross in the processions (entrance, presentation of the gifts, and recessional). Deacon—An ordained minister who assists the celebrant during the Liturgy of the Word and at the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Master of Ceremonies—One who assists in the preparation of the liturgy and is present to facilitate the movement of the entire celebration. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist—Those lay people who assist in the distribution of communion; also called eucharistic ministers. The ordinary ministers of communion are ordained priests and deacons. Greeter--- One who offers welcome and hospitality to people entering the church building. Lector—One who professes the selected readings from Holy Scripture during the Liturgy of the Word prior to the Gospel. Usher--- One who offers welcome and hospitality to people entering the church building as well as assisting in seating people, guiding the communion line, overseeing the collection, and distributing the weekly bulletin. The usher will assist at emergencies and have responsibility for safe keeping of the church property. Page 3 of 34 Church of the Nativity Liturgical Minister Guidebook A GUIDE FOR ALTAR SERVERS I. GENERAL 1) All servers are expected to be at the church 20 minutes before Mass begins 2) All servers are to sign in when they serve 3) All servers are expected to find their own replacement for Mass if they cannot make it for whatever reason 4) All servers are expected to wear "Sunday clothes " at the weekend Masses II. PREPARATION BEFORE MASS 1) Put on alb and cross a) Make certain the alb is not too short or too long b) Alb should be about 2-3 inches off the ground 2) Light altar candles 3) MC will determine the servers to perform the tasks of cross bearer and candle bearers 4) Perform other duties as directed by the MC 5) 10 minutes before Mass be in the back of the church with the cross and appropriate number of candles (torches). a) Candles are to be carried only in pairs. b) Servers should be in the narthex (south side) standing with: (1) the cross (2) Candle bearers should be on either side of the cross standing silently and reverently. III. DURING MASS 1) The MC will line the servers up for the procession 2) In general, the order will be: a) Incense bearer b) Cross bearer c) Torches (1) Always an even number of paired servers (2) Two torches should be on either side of the cross d) Any unpaired servers e) Lectors f) Master of Ceremonies g) Deacon h) Priest (presider) 3) Upon the MC’s cue begin the procession. 4) Walk reverently to the altar 5) When the sanctuary is reached you should reverence the altar with a low bow unless you are: a) The Incense bearer b) The Cross bearers Page 4 of 34 Church of the Nativity Liturgical Minister Guidebook c) The Torch bearers d) Carrying any other items 6) After reverencing the altar proceed to the chairs 7) The cross bearer should place the cross firmly but gently in the stand and be certain that it is oriented to the congregation 8) Torch bearers should place the torches in the stand by the reconciliation room 9) Servers should sit in the first row of chairs; MC in the second or third row 10) Additional notes on the procession a) Servers should make a crisp turn at the altar and not “drift” to the right side of the church b) The cross bearer must hold the cross high and steady. The cross should not be swaying side-to-side or back to front. This is not a task to be taken on by the youngest servers 11) During the Gloria or the Penitential Rite (depending on the church season) the MC will direct a server to take the sacramentary to the altar. The Gloria is not said during Lent or on week days a) The server should walk reverently to the presider holding the sacramentary in front b) Servers stand in front of the presider and hold the sacramentary up so the presider can see the text. The book must be held steady c) When the presider has concluded the prayer he will close the sacramentary and the server will return, walking reverently with the book in front. The MC will take the sacramentary from him/her 12) After the second reading has been read and the lector has returned to his or her seat the presider will rise and go to the altar to get the Book of the Gospels. When the presider rises the MC will rise as should all of the altar servers and the congregation 13) Preparation of the altar a) The MC will direct 1 or 2 servers to carry items to the altar for preparation. These items will include: (1) Sacramentary with the book stand (2) Chalice (3) Purificator (linen towel) (4) Additional items may be required. The MC will direct servers regarding any additional items needed b) The above items will be handed to the servers and they should follow the MC to the altar c) Each item is handed to the MC in turn and the MC places them on the altar. If a deacon is present at the Mass the deacon has the responsibility of setting the altar (1) The servers are NOT to place any of the items on the altar (2) Only the MC or the deacon (if present) should place the items on the altar d) If there are not enough servers to carry these items: (1) Make multiple trips as needed (2) The MC can carry some of the items to assist the servers (3) All items are to be handled with reverence ( no stacking of items ) 14) Receiving the gifts Page 5 of 34 Church of the Nativity Liturgical Minister Guidebook a) The MC will direct the cross bearer at an appropriate time to proceed down the main aisle of the church to lead the procession of the gifts b) When the presider rises to receive the gifts: (1) Two servers should proceed to the front of the altar. These servers should be on either side of the presider (2) The servers should not walk in front of the presider when going to receive the gifts c) The presider will hand the bread and wine to each of the servers d) The servers will proceed to the altar when the presider turns to return to the altar e) If there is no deacon: (1) The servers will proceed to the altar when the presider turns to return to the altar (St. Joseph side of Church) with the bread preceding the wine (2) The presider will take the bread and wine from each server in turn (3) The MC will direct a server to take the cruet of water to the altar at the appropriate time f) If there is a deacon: (1) The servers should proceed to the left hand side of the altar (Holy Mary’s side of Church) with the bread preceding the wine (2) The bread will be handed to the Deacon first and then the wine (3) The Deacon will then hand the bread and wine to the presider in turn (4) The MC will direct a server to take the cruet of water to the altar at the appropriate time g) Both servers should proceed to the altar by the path outlined below (Figure I) Presider Server with Bread Chair Presider Server with Wine Altar Ambo Path to Altar i) Congregation Figure 1: Procession to altar after receiving gifts.