Mass Ministries

Altar Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received holy communion for the first time and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.

Servers should receive proper formation before they begin to function. The formation should include instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy (their names and use), and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Servers should also receive appropriate guidance on maintaining proper decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions.

Since the role of server is integral to the normal celebration of the Mass, at least one server should assist the priest. On Sundays and other more important occasions, two or more servers should be employed to carry out the various functions normally entrusted to these ministers.

Servers should normally be vested. This is within the tradition of the Church and prevents difficulties regarding appropriate dress for these ministers. All servers should wear the same liturgical vesture.1

Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary. When appropriate, a server may also ring a bell as a signal to the faithful.

Servers respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation. They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy.

Servers should be seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon. The place next to the priest is normally reserved for the deacon.

Servers may not distribute holy communion unless they have been mandated for this function by the bishop.

Altar Server training at St John the Apostle is typically held the first part of January.

Contact the parish for more information.

Most of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of readings from Scripture.  On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings. During  most of the year, the first reading is from the Old Testament and the  second reading is from one of the New Testament letters. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles  which tells the story of the Church in its earliest days. The last  reading is always taken from one of the four Gospels.

To become a reader at St John the Apostle we ask that you participate in one of our training sessions.

For more information, contact the Parish offices.

The ordinary minister of the sacrament is a bishop or priest, and the eucharistic prayer and communion rite with reception of the Body and Blood of Christ by those gathered is the centerpiece of the sacrament.  In addition to the priest, deacons too are ministers distribution of the sacrament, usually distributing the Blood of Christ.  Most parishes also allow lay women and men to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, to commissioned to facilitate reception of Communion in an easier way.

To become a Eucharistic Minister at St John the Apostle we ask that you participate in one of our training sessions.

Please contact the Parish office for more details.

We are always looking for talented musicians to perform during our Masses.

If you are interested in sharing your time and talents please contact Michele Miller, Director of Music, at the email below.

chelem38_50@yahoo.com

We are always looking for talented singers to join one of our choirs.  Come share your time and talent with us here at St John the Apostle.

We have four different Choirs:

Joyful Noise is led by Dave Campbell

St John Choir is led by Ned Kluever

Apostle Choir is led by Michele Miller

Rise Up  (Contemporary Choir) is led by Jason Kessler

If you are interested in singing please contact:

Michele Miller at chelem38_50@yahoo.com