Liturgy Committee

The Liturgy Committee takes its mission directly from the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy: “To ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.” The committee assists in the preparation, implementation and ongoing evaluation of the rites of the Church as celebrated in our parish. Our obligation is to maintain the highest standards possible in all areas of worship. The work of the committee is guided by the documents of the Second Vatican Council, post-Councilor documents from Rome and from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, with special attention given to the writings of the Bishops’ Committee on Liturgy, the Bishops’ Committee on Art and Environment, and the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Wilmington.

• Gifts Desired:  A desire to enhance the overall worship life of our community.
• Commitment:  Attend meetings of the committee (generally the first Tuesday of each month, with additional meetings as required) and a desire to work in the background.
• Opportunity:  To gain knowledge and understanding of the worship life of the Church and share that knowledge with others; to assist our parish fulfill the goal of the Second Vatican Council of “full, active and conscious participation” in the liturgy.
• Contact:      Kathy Dolde                 410-885-2240

Altar Linens

To clean the linens used at Mass.

• Gifts Desired:  Dependability and desire to serve the Lord.
• Commitment:   Volunteers pick up the altar linens at the beginning of each week and return them by Friday in order to be ready for the weekend Masses.
• Opportunity:    To grow closer to the Lord through the sharing of time and energy.
• Contact:           St. Joseph:    Joanne Russell    302-378-0585
                           St. Rose:         Dolly Brown        410-885-5285

Altar Servers

To assist the presider at both Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic celebrations, including weddings and funerals when the server is available. This ministry is not limited to the young. Altar servers are represented on the Liturgy Committee. Minimum age: 11. Requirements: Has received First Eucharist, attendance at formation session (1 hour).

• Gifts Desired: A desire to assist the assembly gathered for worship. Altar Servers and their families must appreciate the need for dependability in accordance with the published schedule (or in securing a substitute when needed.).
• Commitment: Attendance at formation session and ongoing formational sessions (no more than two per year). Serve as assigned.
• Opportunity: Personal growth through service to others.
• Contact: Fr. Grasing          302-378-5800

Art & Environment

To prepare and implement decoration of our worship spaces in accord with the documents of the Church (Universal, Territorial, Local).

• Gifts Desired: Ability to think creatively and work collaboratively or on one’s own (some work can be completed at home).
• Commitment: Varies throughout the year.
• Opportunity: To minister to our celebrating community behind the scenes.
• Contact: Karen Dower             302-378-0403

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Women and men who are Confirmed and at least 16 years of age to be commissioned by the Diocese of Wilmington to serve a term of four years (which is renewable) to minister the Body and Blood of Christ within the liturgy. Ministers generally rotate through the regular Sunday and Holy Day schedule of liturgies. Opportunities are given to serve at weddings and funerals. Ministers are represented on the Liturgy Committee.

• Gifts Desired: Willingness to be of service to the parish community gathered for worship.
• Commitment: Diocesan formation (2 hours) and parish practicum (1 hour). Serve as required for each scheduling period. There are also parish sessions (generally no more than two per year) that serve to foster a deeper appreciation of one’s ministry as well as pass along pertinent information.
• Opportunity: To develop a deeper unity with our Lord in the Eucharist as well as serving the needs of the parish community gathered at worship.
• Contact:  Cookie Ruane                 302-378-2217

Greeters

Those children who have celebrated First Eucharist are invited to help establish a warm, welcoming and inviting atmosphere as the community gathers for prayer. Greeters also hand out and collect hymnals as well as distribute bulletins.

• Gifts Desired: Outgoing personality who can make others feel welcome. 
• Commitment: Generally no more than twice per month. Greeters are asked to arrive fifteen minutes prior top the beginning of liturgy and remain until the assembly has departed.
• Opportunity: To serve the entire assembly, meet new people and feel more a part of our parish.
• Contact: Fr. Grasing         302-378-5800

Lectors

Youth, men and women who proclaim the Word of God at Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic celebrations. Lectors generally rotate through the regular schedule of Sunday and Holy Day liturgies. Opportunities are given to those who are available to assist at reconciliation liturgies, Morning and Evening Prayer, weddings and funerals. Lectors are represented on the Liturgy Committee.

• Gifts Desired: This ministry is open to those who have good proclamation skills and can devote themselves to time preparing to proclaim the scriptures. Lectors are assisted in this task by the Coordinator of Lectors, members of the Liturgy Committee and peer groups. Additionally, all lectors receive material to help them better understand the scriptures they proclaim.
• Commitment: Formation session (1-1/2 hr.) and small group practicum (1-1/2-2 hours). Prayerful preparation of readings prior to Sunday liturgy. Lectors are expected to be present for an assigned liturgy or secure a substitute.
• Opportunity: To serve the community gathered at worship by responding to the call to be “God’s voice box”.
• Contact: Aaron Locker                  302-378-0933

Liturgical Vestments

To wash and iron the vestments (both priests’ and Altar Servers’ vestments).

• Gifts Desired:  Dependability and cleaning/ironing skills.
• Commitment:   Cleaning and ironing is done seasonally in the spring, summer, fall and winter, or as needed.
• Opportunity:    To ensure that vestments are clean and presentable for liturgy.
• Contact:           Loretta Williams                             302-378-8635

 Liturgy of the Word with Children

Youth, women and men to proclaim the Sunday scriptures in a setting that enables children to accept and understand the Word of God. Those who assist with this ministry are represented on the Liturgy Committee.

• Gifts Desired: This ministry is open to those who have good proclamation skills and can devote themselves to preparing to proclaim the scriptures as found in the Lectionary for Masses with Children. An ability to assist in “breaking open” the Word to children is also required.
• Commitment: Six times per year is the norm for which we hope; you may be asked to assist more often should sufficient volunteers not be available. The desire of the parish is that the Liturgy of the Word with Children be celebrated each week.
• Opportunity: To share one’s faith with our younger parishioners and assist our children in developing a sense of appreciation for God’s word.
• Contact: Susan Taylor (St. Joseph) 302-376-6282; Kathy Dolde (St. Rose) 410-885-2240

Martha’s Guild - Church Cleaning

To clean the sacristy and the sanctuary of our churches.  Cleaning is limited to dusting, vacuuming, emptying waste baskets, etc.

• Gifts Desired:  Dependability and cleaning skills.
• Commitment:   Volunteers work in teams on a rotating schedule.
• Opportunity:    To grow closer to the Lord through the sharing of time and energy.
• Contact:           St. Rose:        Dolly Brown            410-885-5285
                           St. Joseph:   Loretta Williams  302-378-8635
                          

Ushers

To aid the orderly flow of liturgy, offering special assistance to members of the assembly as needed. Ushers also receive the monetary offering of the people, select those who will present the gifts (collection, bread, wine) and are generally available to answer questions

• Gifts Desired: A willingness to fulfill one’s ministry in an unhurried, unnoticed fashion. The ability to deal with the unexpected in a calm and reassuring way is necessary.
• Commitment: Generally no more than twice per month. Ushers are asked to arrive fifteen minutes prior to the beginning of liturgy and remain until the assembly has departed.
• Opportunity: To assist the entire worshipping community to pray well.
• Contact: Mark Newsom             302-378-0685