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LITURGY Ministries
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Building up our desire to serve the Lord and His people through the Holy Mass:ON THIS PAGE:ALTAR SOCIETY | EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION | READERS | SACRED SERVERS | USHERS
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ALTAR SOCIETY
On quiet Monday mornings after Mass, happy disciples are at work: dusting, sweeping, pressing and folding, among other inglorious tasks. They are the men and women of our Saint Luke Altar Society. Without this ministry, the sacred vessels needed for Mass would not be ready, the sanctuary would not be clean, the linens used for sacred worship would not be laundered, ironed, and folded. We take care of the flowers on the altar, the decorations, and the overall look and appearance of the Church.
Other members of our Altar Society work twice a year, prepping the church for Christmas and Easter, decorating, setting up the special look of the liturgical season.
Although this ministry works in the background, it is an invaluable part of the worship of the community!
Who can help: ANYONE! Students grades 4 and older with their parents, Teenagers (16-18), and adults!
When: Monday mornings normally take about 2 hours, but some of our volunteers come for as long as they can, and sometimes once or twice or month as their calendar permits. For the volunteers who work on Christmas or Easter decoration days, the volunteer time takes 5 hours twice a year.
Point of Contact: Mary Ann Huerstel -
DOCUMENTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
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READERS
Readers have a critical role in the celebration of the Mass. The Scriptural Readings of each Mass are meant to come alive, allowing God to speak to his people. A Reader accepts the responsibility to prepare well and to continually seek ways of improving his/her ability to proclaim God’s Word through prayer, a continued reception of the sacraments, and bible studies. Readers proclaim the first reading, usually from the Old Testament, and the second reading, usually from the New Testament. In the absence of a choir or a cantor, the Reader also proclaims the responsorial psalm. In the absence of a deacon, the Reader may be asked to lead the Prayers of the Faithful.
Who can help: Readers must have received the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, be practicing Catholics, distinguished in their Christian life, faith and morals, have public speaking skills to proclaim the Word of God before the congregation, demonstrate a reverence and devotion to the Scriptures. Readers must have undergone the Archdiocese of New Orleans training.
Point of Contact: Kay Guard, Pastoral Secretary
SACRED SERVERS
To be a Sacred Server is to assist the parish in worshipping God, by reverent and faithful service. To be "sacred" is to be set apart, holy, consecrated. As a Sacred Server, you are given the opportunity to discover how sacred God made you, while holding and caring for sacred things, and a fellowship with others just like you who are learning how to serve God in small ways, so as to discern how to serve Him with your whole life. The purpose of Sacred Serving is (1) to worship and glorify God, (2) to serve God and His Church, (3) to grow in holiness, and (4) to evangelize others. A member of our Sacred Servers of our young Church who have demonstrated exceptional reverence and generosity to teach and lead others are nominated each year for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Altar Server of the Year award.
The Stages of Sacred Serving
1) The Call to ServeBefore someone becomes a Sacred Server, he or she must ask God and a parent or guardian if Sacred Serving is possible. This is the preliminary stage of our program. Ask someone you trust, "Do you think I would make a good Sacred Server?" In your workbook, you will agree to the requirements, state your intentions, affirm your desire to learn more, and express your ability to commit to the program.
2) Initial Training StageThe second stage of Sacred Serving is the Initial Training stage. In this stage, you attend an initial training session, while also learning the importance of being a server, the different stages of formation, the different roles and tasks, and so many other aspects of serving God and His Church. After participating in an initial training session, you will wear a long white scapular over your usual Sunday-best attire and sit up-front at Mass, to observe all that the servers do.
3) Apprenticeship StageThe third stage is the Apprenticeship Stage. An apprentice learns the basics of serving - reverence, prayerfulness, postures, gestures, order, pace, techniques, timing, etc. At this stage, you get to wear an alb for the first time! Girls will fasten the alb with a black belt, while the boys will do so using a white cincture (rope).
4) Assistance StageThe fourth stage is the Assistance Stage. An assistant's purpose is to use the experience learned as an apprentice to then lead and train other apprentices. At this stage, you learn the names of things and where those things should go, while being a good example for the apprentices in your care. At this stage, you will add the Sacred Server Cross to you attire.
5) Mentorship StageThe fifth stage is the Mentorship Stage. The purpose of a mentor is to use the experience learned as an assistant to then direct other assistants with gentleness, to prepare the incense, set the ribbons in the books, and anticipate a need. Mentors will lay down their Sacred Server Crosses to don the Miraculous Medal as part of their serving attire.
6) Vocational StageNot all Sacred Servers will reach the highest level of serving. This sixth stage is meant to be an opportunity for you to grow in leadership, in mentorship, and in discernment of God's call. For this reason, this stage has two different aspects: one for girls, one for guys.
7) SacristanThis aspect is for girls only. The life of a religious sister involves prayer and service, but also in some cases the practicalities of helping prepare for Mass in the sacristy. So, the Sacristan is able to access the locked sacristy closet, prepare the sacred books, the linens, the candles, the sanctuary, and the Gift Table. She is also able to guide servers in setting and cleaning the altar. As a sign of this new responsibility, the Sacristan wears a black shoulder cape.
8) Master of CeremoniesThis aspect is for guys only. A good and holy priest is a man of prayer, of reverence, and of confidence in the liturgy. As a taste of this sort of ministry, the Master of Ceremonies [MC] is able to access the locked sacristy closet, prepare the sacred books, properly care for the incense, turn the pages of the Missal, lead processions and movements, direct the celebrant, and usher all other servers to their proper positions and tasks.Assist at Mass as true and devout Christians, with such modesty and recollection that nothing should distract you. Let your mind and your heart be intent solely on honoring God.St. John Bosco
Who can help: Children starting at 4th grade who have received Baptism and First Communion and who have the permission of their parents and who have been trained by our clergy. Master of Ceremonies can be adult men who have completed Baptism and First Communion and who have completed our Archdiocese of New Orleans Safe Environment training as well as special training by our clergy.
Point of Contact: Johanna Braud or Dave Vedros
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EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION (at the Holy Mass, for homebound parishioners, and for those at hospitals and nursing homes)
In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. 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. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162)." At Saint Luke, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion receive spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. They follow the guidance of the pastor and our archbishop. 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 Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
There are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who serve in different capacities:- EMHC at the Holy Mass serve at the altar of Saint Luke according to their set dates and Mass times
- EMHC who serve our parishioners who are homebound
- EMHC who serve at local hospitals in our area
- EMHC who serve at local nursing homes
Who can help: Only adults (18 years and older) and who have received the sacraments of Baptism and First Communion and who have undergone the Archdiocese of New Orleans training after permission from the Pastor. Special permission has been granted by Archbishop Aymond which permits High School seniors to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion after completing specialized training. This special permission expires upon graduation. Any student wishing to continue service as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must complete training for adults. The EMHC who serve outside of the parish for our homebound parishioners and for those in nursing homes and hospitals attend specialized training in order to serve in the community.
When? Mass EMHC volunteers schedule their time according to the calendar through our special Ministry Schedule App at the Mass of their choice. Other EMHC (Homebound, Nursing Home, and Hospital) schedule according to their ministry and according to the pastor's direction.
Point of Contact: Kay Guard, Pastoral Secretary
ADULT SACRISTANS
Adult Sacristans serve the liturgy by assisting the priests, deacons, and Sacred Servers to prepare for Masses, maintain the sacristy area, and assist Mass Captains to make sure that Masses and special liturgies (like baptisms, weddings, and funerals) run smoothly and reverently.
Who can help: Adults who have been trained by our clergy
Point of Contact: Dave Vedros
USHERS
Ushers are a friendly, welcoming face for parishioners as they enter mass who distribute bulletins and take up the collections.
Who can help: Anyone fourth grade or older who is able to follow directions and has a joyous disposition.
Point of Contact: Alden Hufft
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Contact Us
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Kay Guardkguardsaintlukeslidell.orgPastoral Secretary
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Mandi Troyanimtroyanisaintlukeslidell.orgMinistry Liaison/Youth + Young Adult
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