Ministries

 

Ministry Name Description Contact Person
Altar Servers The parish youth participate in the tradition of altar service, where they directly assist the priest and/or deacon at the altar. This liturgical ministry is open to boys and girls in the fourth grade and older, who have received their First Holy Communion. They carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, and hold ritual books among other functions. Altar servers receive training in the structure of the Mass, the liturgical use of sacred vessels, and the liturgical seasons and their colors.  
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist in distributing the Eucharist during Mass. They may also volunteer to take the Eucharist to the sick or homebound in our parishes. To participate in this ministry, you must 1) be a practicing Catholic and fully initiated (Baptized, Confirmed, and received First Eucharist); 2) be a registered member of one of our two parishes; 3) be at least 15 years of age; and 4) attend scheduled training and ongoing formation opportunities. Ministers are assigned to a team and are scheduled to serve once every four weeks. If you are interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, contact the coordinator.  
Lectors Lectors proclaim the readings from sacred Scripture readings, except for the Gospel. They lead the Prayer of the Faithful and the responsorial psalm when it is not sung. Beyond the skills needed by any good public speaker, being a good lector requires communicating a sense of prayerfulness and reverence. To participate in this ministry, you must 1) be a practicing Catholic and fully initiated (Baptized, Confirmed, and received First Eucharist); 2) be a registered member of one of our two parishes; and 3) attend scheduled training and ongoing formation opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a lector contact the coordinator  
Music Ministry Music ministry is an integral part of the liturgical life of the Church. Music expresses the faith of the Church but also builds unity and harmony. The choir, the cantor, and the instrumentalists all contribute to the singing at Mass. They carry out the parts assigned to them and foster “the active participation of the faithful through singing.” Much of the music of the liturgy is based on Scripture and the words and life of Christ. When members of the Church pray and sing, their words are infused with Christ’s words.

Arcangel Santiago - Spanish Choir at Saint Mary Church.  Phone: (860) 804-6650

Ushers & Greeters The Hospitality Ministry is open to men and women of the parish, who can commit to regular attendance at a specific weekend Mass, as well as special liturgies during Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Holy Days of Obligation. As greeters and ushers, they welcome people as they enter the church. We are recruiting volunteers to help with welcoming parishioners to weekend Masses.