MUSIC  AND  WORSHIP

Scheduling the Ministries

Do you realize that at every Mass there are on an average about 25 volunteers for the various liturgical ministries? (Liturgical ministries are those who perform the functions of lector, Eucharistic Minister, altar server, etc. during Mass.) AND there are many more volunteers who work behind the scenes both before and after Mass.

You may be interested in how these volunteers are scheduled. We are fortunate to have Pam at the Family Life Center who tackles this large job! She publishes the schedule every few months for the various ministries. She does her best to accommodate requests such as serving at a particular Mass or with other family members. It is quite a puzzle, and she does a terrific job.

In order to accommodate these certain requests, there are certain situations that arise: for example, as a lector you may be scheduled only every few months if that person requested to read only at 11 AM Mass. If you are willing to serve at ANY Mass, you may be scheduled more frequently. It is just a matter of juggling numbers!

Although there are two readers scheduled for each Mass, sometimes one of the readers does not show up. That means the other reader must at the last minute take that person's place. This past weekend we had a situation at one Mass when nobody came to be a lector. It was an especially embarrassing and difficult situation since there was a visiting priest presiding at Mass.

We have had an even more difficult time relying on our altar servers. Many times Father has to ask for a volunteer altar server before Mass can start. Have you ever wondered about those who are craning their necks to count the number of Eucharistic ministers up next to the altar? So many times we don't have enough EM's to serve and volunteers need to come forward to help.

The schedule is available to all ministers in advance. A reminder is printed in the bulletin each week. Those who are called to serve need to accept the responsibility to perform their ministry when scheduled or find a substitute from a list provided for each minister. In the case of last minute emergencies, we are blessed to have other ministers present at mass who can step in at the last minute, if necessary. That explains why you may see some of the ministers dressed in shorts and sport shoes!

We all live in a busy world. We have commitments to our jobs, to our families, to our community. Let us pray and consider our commitment to ministry – both those who are already signed up to help and those of us who are considering to serve. It is a privilege as well as a responsibility to do God's work, and here at St. Cecilia's we have some outstanding volunteers. Let's continue to improve our service to one another and to the Church.

Volunteers Ask: "Why wasn't I called?"

This is a question we are asked occasionally. Perhaps you have signed up to help with funeral luncheons, but not yet asked to provide food for such an event. Here is the explanation:
We never know when there will be a funeral. Sometimes there are two in one week held at St. Cecilia's. There are other more fortunate times when we can go for months without holding a funeral mass. Even if there is a funeral held here, sometimes the family prefers not to have a funeral luncheon here at the church.

Another factor other than the frequency of the event is the immediacy with which the lunch has to be planned. Pam may have just a day or two to provide food and service to as many as 50 – 75 people. When going down her list, she likes to actually talk to the volunteers so it is clear what she needs of that person. As much as we all like to think that we return our phone messages in a timely manner, we cannot be sure of enough responses within a limited time period to provide the food and service for the lunch. Therefore, experience has taught us to request food from those with whom we can speak directly. We are sorry that some of you may be left out of this process, but our first priority is providing for the family of the bereaved. If you would like to leave a work number or cell phone number so that you may be called more often, please forward that number to the FLC (288-5523.)

We appreciate all of our volunteers and strive to find ways in which all of you can be included in this and other ministries. We are truly blessed to have so many active and caring members in our parish!

Ministry: Servants of Faith

Isn't it just wonderful when a typical Sunday at St. Cecilia church is full of activity and opportunity? What a testament to our living faith that we are a community of not only worshippers but also a community of doers. This is a sign that our church community is truly alive in Christ.

The term "minister" is derived from the Latin word for servant. Although it often refers to those who serve in some liturgical capacity (both ordained and laity), the term has also come to mean anyone in the church community who serves in a broader capacity.

Service could be defined as the performance of one's duties toward God and neighbor. We serve God by acts of prayer and worship. We continue to serve God by acting responsibly toward others. Jesus summed up the necessity for service when He said: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mt 22:37,39)

Please pray and consider your role as minister at St. Cecilia. Sometimes people are shocked to realize that we ALL have a ministerial role at mass. It is our duty … and our privilege as Christian Catholics to serve. In the next few weeks, this space will have information and some discussion on the many opportunities here at St. Cecilia for each one of us to be a true servant.

Thanks for Singing!

The sound of the congregation singing is music to our ears! Those of us serving in the music ministry want all of you to know how much we are uplifted by the strong singing that occurs at Mass! Thank you! This is what we are all about: proclaiming and rejoicing as a community of believers.

Have you considered becoming a member of the music ministry? We are fortunate to have some people who have had some musical training, but most of us are just "average Joe's" who enjoy music. Would you like to try joining us ? I know there are many out there who have been thinking about it… why not try it now?

Each group has a rehearsal; some are an hour before mass and others are on a week night. Of course, there are times when we have more rehearsals to prepare for special events like Christmas and Easter. Rehearsal tapes are prepared to assist those who do not read music. We are also looking for piano players and other instrumentalists!

See any of us after any mass, or call Lugene at the FLC (288-5523) for more information or to sign up.