Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical ministries involve preparing the altar for liturgy and assisting the priests and deacons at Mass. Each specific area of liturgical service has its own set of specific requirements, but in general one must be fully initiated (i.e., Baptized, Confirmed and made your First Holy Communion), in good standing with the Church, registered and trained at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral. If married, you must be married in the Church.

For more information contact:

Tony Smith
602-242-1300 X146
[email protected]

Liturgical ministries include:

Altar Boys and Adult Male Servers

Altar boys assist the Priest and Deacons at Mass by assisting with incense, carrying the processional crucifix, holding the Roman Missal, carrying the candles for the Gospel reading, and assisting with gifts at the offertory. A one hour and thirty minute a week commitment and a yearly workshop is required.

ALTAR BOY TRAINING
Boys interested in altar serving must attend a five day training session. Boys must be entering 5th grade or above in the Fall, and have made their First Holy Communion to be an altar server at Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral.

Requirements for Altar Boy at Mass

ADULT MALE SERVERS 
The adult male serves at the altar to assist the priest and deacon. In particular, it is his responsibility to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if it is necessary, as an extraordinary minister, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful. The duties of the adult male server are carried out under the general direction of the clergy. However, for each specific celebration, the server is responsible to the Cathedral Master of Ceremonies. The server, because of the nature of his office is trained in all of the other Liturgical Ministries, including duties of Sacristan. They are ultimately responsible for the overall service, and smooth movement of the Liturgy at the Cathedral. Ordinarily to be a adult server you need to be at least 16 years of age, fully initiated in the Church (i.e. Baptized, Confirmed and made your First Holy Communion), and registered and trained at Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral. If married, you must be married in the Church and in good standing with the Catholic Church. Two hours per week commitment and a yearly workshop is required. Safe Environment Training certification is required yearly. 
 

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS of HOLY COMMUNION MINISTRY
Requirements for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Diocese of Phoenix

1. Membership in parish one year (at pastor’s discretion but encouraged from point of view of fidelity to the community one wishes to serve.)

2. Men or women who are 16 years of age or older, acknowledged by peers and pastor to be an active Catholic in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church.

3. Sacramental reception: Must have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church.

4. Names to be submitted to the bishop (the pastor’s signature required on the letter of request); the list will be acknowledged by the Office of Worship and returned to the parish.

5. All the faithful, especially those who will serve as extra-ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, should be properly catechized on the following:

   • The ecclesial nature of the Eucharist as the common possession of the whole Church;

   • The Eucharist as the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice, his death and resurrection, and as the sacred Banquet;

   • The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic elements, whole and entire, in each element of bread and wine (the doctrine of concomitance);

   • The kinds of reverence due at all times to the sacrament, whether within the
     Eucharistic liturgy or outside the celebration;

   • The role that ordinary and, if necessary, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are assigned in the Eucharistic assembly.

6. “Hands-on” training including the importance of fulfilling commitment as scheduled.

7. Recommended: Six hours of on-going formation, yearly.Safe Environment training yearly.

Readers

READER TRAINING APOSTOLATE 
Requirements for Readers 

1. Membership in parish one year (at pastor’s discretion but encouraged from point of view of fidelity to the community one wishes to serve.)

2. Men or women who are, acknowledged by peers and pastor to be an active Catholic in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church.

3. Sacramental reception: Must have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church.

4. Names to be submitted to the bishop (the pastor’s signature required on the letter of request); the list will be acknowledged by the Office of Worship and returned to the parish.

5. All the faithful, especially those who will serve as lectors should be properly trained on the following:

   • Understanding of Liturgy and use of the liturgical principles from Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and The General Instruction of the Roman Missal

   • Theology of the Word

   • Theology of Ministry

   • Practical training of Proclamation and opportunity for practice and critique

6. Safe Environmeng training yearly. 

7. Six hours of on going formation per year.

8. “Hands-on” training including the importance of fulfilling commitment as scheduled, procedures for approaching the ambo and the dress code put forth by the parish.

Through divine revelation, God chose to show forth and communicate Himself and the eternal decisions of His will regarding the salvation of men. That is to say, He chose to share with them those divine treasures which totally transcend the understanding of the human mind. 
-Dei Verbum #6
 

Sacristan

The duties of the Sacristan are carried out under the general direction of the clergy. However, for each specific celebration, the Sacristan is responsible to the Master of Ceremonies. The Sacristan sets up for Mass by preparing the sacred vessels, linens, bread, wine, sacred texts for Mass. This minister keeps the Holy water fonts cleaned and filled, and coordinates with the Ushers, Greeters, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, and Altar Boys. This means they must be trained in all of the other Liturgical Ministries. They are ultimately responsible for the overall order within the Cathedral. The Sacristan ought to be treated with respect by all who minister at the altar. Ordinarily to be a Sacristan you need to be at least 18 years of age, fully initiated in the Church
(i.e. Baptized, Confirmed and made your Fist Holy Communion), registered, and trained at
Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral. If married, you must be married in the Church and in good standing with the Catholic Church. Two hours per week commitment and a yearly workshop is required. Safe Environment Trainin certification is required yearly. 

Sacristans were listed by writers (St. Jerome for example) and by church councils as “ministers of God. “ When recounting his life in the fourth century, Bishop Paulinus of Nola wrote, “I call the Lord to witness that I longed to begin my holy service with the name and office of sacristan.” (Epistle 1)
 

Ambassadors of Hospitality

Ambassadors of Hospitality are men and women from age 13 and over who are interested in further developing the hospitable and welcoming environment here at our Cathedral.

This group combines the current ushers and greeters, together with volunteers, at an information table, into one dynamic ministry. Ambassadors will be at the doorways of the Cathedral at Sunday Mass to welcome people and assist them in any way possible. Ambassadors are able to provide people with information about the different ministries that are available, including preparation for the Sacraments. They will help in registering new parishioners, and give general information about the life of the Cathedral Parish. This very exciting and versatile ministry, encompasses many aspects of Cathedral life. Our Ambassadors of Hospitality are looking forward to representing the people of
Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral with a tremendous spirit of welcoming for all. Safe Environment training is required yearly.

The New Law practices the acts of religion: almsgiving, prayer and fasting, directing them to the “Father who sees in secret,” in contrast with the desire to “be seen by men.” Its prayer is the Our Father. - The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1969
 

Church Environment Assistants

Environment Ministers help to decorate the church throughout the year when they are available. The big days and seasons such as the beginning of Ordinary Time, Lent, Advent, Christmas, Easter, & Holy Days are when most of the help is needed. Figure, depending on the number of people, 2-3 hours for such seasons. Other duties could include watering flowers, helping to hang or sew fabric, as needed, changing the altar frontals from week to week, setting out flowers, and moving indoor trees.

Another aspect of this ministry is helping to clean altar linens, polishing, and caring for vestments and decorative fabric. Safe Environment training is required yearly.