Ministries
“Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as the love with which we do them.”
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Liturgical Ministries
Sacristans
Sacristans provide invaluable help to the priest, allowing him to enter into his own prayer before, during and after Mass – and therefore helping him to offer a Mass that is more conducive to the prayer and holiness of the people gathered for the celebration. Besides helping the priest-celebrant, sacristans serve the entire community – in the many aspects of a sacristan’s job they provide essential help to the lectors, communion ministers, altar servers, music ministers, ushers – and all the other liturgical ministers. By helping the ministers do their “jobs”, sacristans help the congregation to do their “job” – full, active and prayerful participation at Mass.
The work of a sacristan tied in perfectly with St. Therese’s desire to live the “little way”. Essentially, a sacristan is called to do “hidden” work – to tend to a thousand little details that are hardly noticed by anyone, except our Heavenly Father who sees what is hidden.
Sacristans are responsible for the security of the sacristy and the Eucharist. They prepare the altar, credence table and sanctuary for Holy Mass, set out the sacred vessels, set the sacred books, and attend to the needs of the liturgy. They are responsible for seeing that other liturgical ministers (lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, musicians and ushers) are in place and aware of any special needs for the day. They also clean up and care for the sacred vessels after Mass.
Sacristans are needed for weekend Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Training is provided. For more information, please contact our Head Sacristan.
