The 10 am Sunday choir features a volunteer ensemble of singers, a pianist, a flutist, and a guitarist. Contemporary pieces chosen for congregational singing predominate, with some four-part harmonies. If you are a musician or a vocalist and would like to offer your talents, or if you would just like to sing, contact Luke VanOverbeke in the parish office. The ability to read music is beneficial but not necessary.
The Ministry of Sacristan provides a vital service to the worshiping community. At St. Francis de Sales Church, the sacristan’s general responsibilities are to help prepare and maintain the worship space and to have in place the items and people needed by Father to properly and prayerfully celebrate Mass and other liturgies, in a smooth and flowing manner. Sacristans must be faithful Catholics in good standing with the Church who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation; their schedules must permit them to be at church before Mass; they must possess solid organizational skills; they must be comfortable communicating and working with other people; they must show a humble attitude of service as a team player with respect for others; and they must possess a willingness to learn liturgical terms, differences throughout the liturgical year, and the rites for sacraments and liturgies for holy days. If you wish to serve our parish in this unique and important way, speak with Luke in the parish office.
The primary role of the altar server is to assist Father in the celebration of the liturgy. This involves presenting or arranging vessels, books, and other items used in the celebrations. As members of the assembly who are often visible to all, the altar servers also model good liturgical participation by actively joining in the hymns, prayers and responses of the liturgy, and by sitting, standing, or kneeling at the appropriate times. Altar servers can be boys or girls who have made their first Communion and have not yet graduated high school. Contact Luke in the parish office if you are interested.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest and deacon of the parish in distributing Communion at Mass. There is great joy and satisfaction in participating in this wonderful gift to God's people. Persons wishing to serve as Extraordinary Ministers must have a special love and care for the Eucharist and for all those who share in the Body and Blood of the Lord; they must be at least 18 years old; they must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation; and they must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church. Contact Luke if you are interested in this wonderful ministry of great love.
Lectors proclaim God’s Word in a clear and compelling manner so that the worshiping assembly will be inspired to ponder and meditate on God’s words in their daily lives. Lectors also raise the prayers of the faithful to God on behalf of the assembly. Lectors must possess good diction and a love for God's Word in both the Old and the New Testaments. Contact Luke if you would like to volunteer for this ministry.
Usher/greeters serve with discretion to create a welcoming and familiar atmosphere for worshipers at weekend liturgies, conducive to prayer and worship. Their role is one of hosting with warmth, friendship, respect, and with a true attitude of service. They set the tone for the liturgy by welcoming both friends and newcomers to be at home as they enter the church and assemble for prayer. People of all ages are welcome to serve in this ministry, as are families. Contact Luke if you are interested.