Eucharist

Is the preeminent Sacrament from which all others have meaning. In Eucharist Christ is most profoundly present in the Church, which gathers to hear the Word of God and to share the nourishment of Christ’s Body with one another.

"When the early Christians gathered to remember the Resurrection of Jesus, they prayed, sang, read, and reflected on God’s Word in Scripture and shared a meal, the consecrated Bread and Wine. In its reform of the liturgy, Vatican II highlights for us the above, all in the context of a participating community: "Full and active participation by all the people, is the aim to be considered before all else."

Vat.II CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY Sec. 2, #14

• When we gather as a parish community, we celebrate equally the presence of the Risen Jesus in the Scriptures, in the Body and Blood of Christ and in the Community, the people assembled.

• Because Jesus is present in the assembled community, we greet each other as we gather to pray.

• Our seating is arranged in a way so as to allow us to see each other gathered around the altar space.

• We join hands at the Lord’s Prayer and we offer each other the gift of Christ’s peace. Together we share the Body and Blood of Christ, in a family meal.

• In our Christian tradition, prayer positions include standing, sitting, prostrating, and hand gestures, as well as kneeling.

• Those who find it difficult to stand are encouraged to take seats where they can sit without their vision being blocked.

Our Sunday Worship requires the presence of many ministers who enhance our worship with their service. We encourage you to join one of our Liturgical Service Ministries as listed below. Contact persons can be found on the cover page of our weekly parish bulletin.

MINSTRY OF WELCOMERS: Jesus reached out to and welcomed strangers. He was always glad to see his friends. In the name of the community, Welcomers extend our welcome to those who come. They oversee all that is required to make for comfort and order in our worship space: seating, programs, songbooks, warm smiles. At the liturgy they minister to our needs, take our offering and tidy up the worship space for the next gathering.

MINSTRY OF ALTAR SERVERS: Boys and girls, third grade and older, are invited to assist at our liturgical celebrations.

LECTORS: Prayerfully prepare to read the Word to our Parish Community when we gather. Lectors are required to participate in an orientation session, focusing on the place of Scripture in our liturgies and the skills required for reading God’s Word to our community.

MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST: Lay women and men share in the privilege of distributing Holy Communion at our liturgies. Training is given for this Ministry, as well as for bringing Communion to the sick of our parish who are not able to come to Church.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC: Those among us with gifts in vocal or instrumental music are invited to join our parish music group. Under the supervision of a professional director, music ministers lead us to sing as a community. Our music ministry meets every Wednesday evening during the year. New members are always welcome. Special training is given to those whose abilities may qualify them for the Ministry of Cantor.

MINSTRY OF ART AND ENVIROMENT: Our worship space is made reverent and meaningful throughout the liturgical seasons by those among us with special artistic gifts and talents: designers, arrangers, wood workers, sewers, crafters, etc. Instruction is given in the principles of liturgical art and design.

BABYSITTING: Toddlers are not able to sit quietly for an hour, nor should they be required to. Our babysitting services at the 5:00, 9:30 + 11:30 Masses, provide a comfortable and safe environment for them, while their parents join our community in prayer.

Liturgical Life

Copyright Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church 2002