Liturgical Ministries
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- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lector Ministry
- Ushers/Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Ministry of Consolation (Funeral Mass Accompaniment)
- Music in the Liturgy
- Environment - Liturgy Committee
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Your Ministry and the Liturgy
Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Eucharist, serving the Church during Mass and those who are sick and homebound. The EM takes a place in a long line of disciples who enjoyed the company of Jesus, listened to his word, wondered about his commands, cared for his people, and did what he asked.
Seeking to serve as an EM at Sunday Mass? Please review the Eucharistic Minister page to learn more about this Ministry.
Called to visit the homebound or bring Communion to Reading Elder Housing facilities? Explore Our Lady of Comfort Ministry to learn more.
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Your Ministry and the Liturgy
The Word of God calls us to follow. God speaks to us before we pray or respond. Our relationshiop does not begin with us speaking to God. It starts when God speaks.
The Mass takes place at two "tables" - the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist. The two parts of the Mass form one profound experience. In the Mass is spread the table both of God's Word and of the Body of Christ, and from it the faithful are instructed and refreshed.
As a Proclaimer of the Word - a Lector - you offer to serve our community as a reader, reflecting upon the Gifts God has given you: a love for the Bible, an understanding of God's Word, the willingness to proclaim the Scripture in a public place, and a love for the liturgy of the Church.
If we participate fully, consciously, and actively in the liturgy, we cannot fail to be transformed, and do our part to transform the world we live in. As a Lecotr - a proclaimer of the Word - you are called to do just that, and to help others do the same.
Preparation to serve in this Ministry involves both Spiritual and practical training.
Seeking to enter this Ministry? Please contact the Collaborative Office
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Your Ministry and the Liturgy
The Ministry of Ushers and Greeters welcomes people to worship, tending their needs, helping them find a place, gathering their gifts during the collection, and bidding them farewell when the service concludes. By nature, you are a person who wants to help. You have a deep faith in Christ, a love for the Mass, and a place in a community. Your desire to serve will help the faithful worship when they arrive at church.
When Jesus appeared at Simon's house for dinner, he had some reasonable expectations. Wouldn't you? When you are a guest, someone should welcome you. someone should be watching out the window for you, ready to open wide the door when you draw near, help you with whatever you're carrying, shake your hand, give you a hug. Someone should make sure you know where the restroom is, start up a friendly conversation.
Hospitality meant something to Jesus. It was more than common custom. Hospitality showed respect for the visitor.
When you greet people coming to church, you evangelize. Many think of evangelization as something that other Christians do. Traditionally we are happy to share our faith, but we usually wait for the other person to make the first move.
Pope Paul VI wrote that the Church exists in order to evangelize. Evangelization is "the carrying forth of the Good News to every sector of the human race," where it will bring strength and renewal.
We all share this responsibility of bringing Christ to others.
Seeking to enter this Ministry? Please contact the Collaborative Office
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Altar Servers assist with the Mass processions and assist the clergy during the Mass. It is one of the most helpful services that young people can perform in the parish and is an opportunity to learn more about the church and our worship of God. Altar Servers are utilized during weekly masses, funerals and weddings.
Anyone in Grade 3 or above who has received First Communion can sign up.
- Carry the cross/candles/incense during the procession into Mass
- Assist the priest by holding the books from which prayers are read
- Assist the priest in receiving the gifts during the offertory
- Assist in preparing the altar for Liturgy
- Assist the priest in the ritual washing of his hands
- Assist in clearing the altar after the Liturgy
- Carry the cross/candles/incense during the recession out of Mass
When Altar Servers are not assisting, they are participating in the Mass (e.g. reciting prayers, singing along with hymns, etc.)
Yes! As you get older there are several organizations that require volunteer service hours. Altar serving is a wonderful way to support the parishes while also fulfilling these requirements. For example, service hours are required for the Sacrament of Confirmation (grades 9-10), National Honor Society (grades 11-12), and Scouting Rank Advancements (various grades). While not required, volunteer hours can also be highlighted on college and job applications.
The Catholic faith believes strongly in community service, and helping its members. The church also values tradition, and gives a lot of its scholarship money to students who will uphold the Catholic tradition in the future. There are several scholarship opportunities for practicing Catholics, especially those applying to a Catholic middle/high school and/or college. Being an active member of your parish, with a dedicated role, will likely give you a “leg up” over other applicants.Although they may not receive a “leadership” title, some of the more senior Altar Servers are considered “leaders” within our ministry. These servers often assist in the recruitment and training of new servers by speaking at Mass, sharing information with prospective newcomers, training the new servers, and/or inviting new servers to shadow them during Mass.
Altar Servers are expected to arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the Mass. This allows time to put on a robe, assist with altar set up (lighting candles, filling the water pitcher, etc.), and to say a prayer before the procession.
There is no minimum time commitment, however the more often an Altar Server serves the more comfortable they become.
Altar Servers use a scheduling app/website to indicate what mass times they prefer, how often they want to be scheduled, and can even indicate specific dates/times of year they are not available.There are several ways to let us know you are interested in joining us:
- Contact Michelle Goldner by email (chelle1127@msn.com) or text (508-942-9788)
- Tell your Religious Education Teacher
- Tell any member of the clergy
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"If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it." 1 Corinthians 12:26
The death of a loved one is a time of sorrow. Ministers of Consolation accompany the family through the funeral process, helping to plan for and being present at the Funeral Mass.
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The Arts & Environment Team for St. Athanasius brings additional beauty to our church with flowers and decorations. We volunteers design and construct the many seasonal exhibitions: Lent, Easter, Christmas, Holy Days, and special liturgical events.