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Ministries: Liturgical and Prayerful Ministries "When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him...They had come to know Him in the breaking of the bread." Altar Care and Altar Linens: Parishioners care for the altar, credence table,linens, vestments and candles in the worship spaces as needed. Linens are washed and ironed weekly based on a rotating monthly schedule. Altar care members clean and set up the altar and credence table for weekend liturgies on Saturday mornings, based on an assigned monthly schedule. Training is provided. Altar Servers carry the cross, carry the light of Christ, and perform other tasks during the Mass and other holy liturgies or ceremonies. Altar Servers must be at least ten years old and in the fifth grade. They may be male or female, child or adult. There are no regular meetings, but there is an annual training session for altar servers and training is scheduled before special liturgies. Altar Servers receive a schedule which assigns them to altar service for a particular weekend and Mass time. The Art and Environment Ministry adds its artistic gifts to the space and worship environment with the use of fabrics, color and decoration using the beauty of nature in each liturgical season. Anyone is welcome to participate. Members meet during the day to prepare the worship space for each liturgical season and for special liturgies, as needed. The Bread Bakers prepare, bake and score the round unleavened loaves used in the offering and consecration during Sunday and Holy Day liturgies. Bread bakers are given the recipe and necessary instructions to bake this bread in their home. Special wheat flour is also used which is provided to bread bakers who serve on this ministry. Bread bakers are assigned weekends to make the bread based on a published schedule. They usually have the opportunity to bake about three to four times per year. In order to have a consistent result, a required training session is held annually. Children's Liturgy of the Word - St. Charles offers a special Children's Liturgy of the Word on most Sundays during the month at the 9:30 AM Mass. Children who are in K through 5th grades, are invited to process out of the Church for the Liturgy of the Word and gather in age-appropriate groups. Children are given the opportunity to strengthen their faith through Scripture readings and songs, which are adapted to their needs and capabilities. Presenters work in teams to proclaim Scripture the children can understand. Training is provided and many resources are available to assist the presenters. Drama Ministry members bring Scripture alive with dramatic, interpretive presentations at weekend liturgies. Open to everyone in the parish. Costumes are provided and presentations are practiced with the proclamation of the readings prior to the liturgy. Eucharistic Ministers share in the liturgical celebration as they assist the presider in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ to their brothers and sisters. Members of this ministry are scheduled to serve about every four to six weeks depending on the Mass they attend. Two experienced ministers are asked to coordinate the distribution of either the bread or wine at each liturgy. Mandatory training sessions are held once or twice a year, so that they may serve in accordance with the Church's practices. Hospitality Ministers extend a greeting and spirit of warmth and welcome to the parish family and visitors as they arrive for weekend liturgies. They also help to pass out song sheets, assist in seating parishioners, collect regular and special offerings, conduct an attendance count and invite parishioners to bring the gifts of bread, wine and tithes to the altar. This ministry is open to volunteers of all ages. Couples and families are encouraged to join and serve together. Schedules are prepared for each weekend Mass and mailed to all members of this gracious and important liturgical ministry. Lectors render Christ present by proclaiming God's Word during weekend and holy day liturgies. Lectors who are going to 'break open' the Word that Sunday prepare by reading all 3 Scripture passages, studying and reciting their reading during the preceding week, and attending a required Monday evening Lectio prayer and practice gathering held at 7:00 PM in the chapel. Practices are also scheduled for special liturgies. Lectors are also asked to make a commitment to attend an annual training day. Liturgical Movement - Our liturgical celebrations are enhanced through Liturgical Movement, especially during the Easter and Christmas seasons. Training is provided. Sign-ups are advertised prior to the liturgies and practices are scheduled several weeks in advance.
Youth Choir serves at the monthly Youth Mass. The Music Director welcomes all high school students who wishes to share their vocal or instrumental gift of music. The Children's Choir is open to all children aged 4 and up who like to sing and who want to learn about music. The Children's Choir sings during Easter and Christmas and may sing at other times throughout the year. The choir director will schedule practices, as required. A Sacristan is assigned at each Mass to prepare the church for weekend liturgies. They unlock and lock the entrance and sacristy doors, turn on and off all of the lights, set up the vestibule tables, put out banners, turn the sound system on and off, light and extinguish the altar candles and paschal candle, if there is a baptism, recruit and instruct a family to bring up the gifts, assist hospitality ministers, take the weekly attendance count and handle collection monies. Each Wednesday morning at nine o'clock in the chapel, Lay Presiders lead a very personalized service, which includes the daily Scripture readings, a short reflection, individual prayer intentions and a communion service. Training is provided and lay sharers are given resource materials, including a booklet that outlines the order and presentation of a communion service. During Lent, a 6:30 AM service is also offered. |
Adult Music Ministers use their gifts to serve the St. Charles community on a year-round basis at
all weekend liturgies and for special liturgies or events throughout the year. Rehearsals are scheduled every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 PM from September through mid-June. Any parishioner aged 16 or older who wishes to share their vocal or instrumental gift of music is invited to participate.
There is a time commitment for this ministry; there are weekly practice sessions
that last between one and a half to two hours and the choir sings weekly at the
9:30 Mass. Additionally, the choir sometimes participates in extra events such
as concerts.