A Theology of Lay Liturgical Ministry “But you are a ‘chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1Pt. 2:9).
(1) All who serve in the orderly and faithful celebration of the Eucharist are baptized members of the Body of Christ, baptized priest, prophet and king. All of these Liturgy Ministers have both the right and the privilege to participate in the ministry of Christ. Participating in the ministry of Christ leads us to bring Him into our homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. It also leads the faithful, by virtue of their baptism, to bring His Real Presence to the liturgy. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal tells us that the most fundamental expression of our lay ministry is the “conscious, active and fruitful participation in the mystery of Christ” (General Instruction on the Roman Missal) Being in service to the greatest prayer of the Church is indeed a privilege.
(2) The celebration of the Eucharist is the “action of the whole Church” and as such, everyone in the assembly has an “individual right and duty to contribute their participation”. (GIRM) The first and foremost duty belongs to the assembly. We who do not hold specific designated roles must still take seriously our role as members of the assembly responsible for revealing Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. Those with specific designated roles as Liturgy Ministers have the right and the duty to fulfill their ministries with grace and competence.
(3) The diversity of roles, functions and ministries enriches the Eucharistic celebrations and assists us in our prayer. “Starting from Vatican II, the Church has continually drawn more people to participate in her activities. In liturgical celebrations, the faithful ‘should not be there as strangers or silent spectators; on the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers they should take part in the sacred action conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full collaboration.’” (GIRM) This is even more the case for those of you God has called to the designated service of the liturgy as Liturgy Ministers.
A Spirituality of Lay Liturgical Ministry
(4) Liturgy Ministry flows from baptism. This means that Liturgy Ministers, including members of the assembly, should spend time more deeply understanding and living the promises of baptism and the profession of faith.
(5) Liturgy Ministry is a response to a call from God. If you are reading this, you are either sure God has called you to this work or you are discerning if God is calling you. In either case, when God calls us to service, God is also calling us to integrate our spiritual lives with our daily lives. There are a number of actions you might take to give outward signs of your integrated life in Christ. This witness to an integrated faith life may be done by arranging for time off from work and/or school for religious observances such as Ash Wednesday or Triduum liturgies. Witness to your faith might also include fasting consistently throughout Lent. Another way to witness to your faith may be by keeping the season of anxious anticipation that is Advent and not giving over the season of Advent to the merchant-driven Christmas model. Saint John Chrysostom suggested we might approach this integrated life in Christ this way:
Be pure and intent of heart, bent on him, the holy One, who has called you; —be holy in all you do. I am your own God, your Lord; be holy for I am holy. —Be holy in all you do.
St John Chrysotom
(6) Liturgy Ministry calls for a personalized spirituality. God is many and varied. God made us in God’s own image and that means that we too are many and varied. The corollary to that is that our spirits grow and change, our hearts are enlarged and our lives are molded into Christ’s life, taking paths that are unique to us. What is not personal or individual is the outcome: dynamic living faith, a faith like Jesus Christ’s. A faith like Jesus’ is characterized by the actions of questioning and self-examining.
Before we commit to serving in a liturgical sense, we must first commit to lives of questioning, examining the motivations and desires of our hearts, for the life of a minister of Christ is one of dynamic, living faith. As we begin to function in service to the liturgy, which defines our identity as Catholic Christians, it is essential for us to scrutinize the way we live and worship.
(7) Liturgy Ministry is nurtured through prayer. “To serve the people of God we must first be open to the power of the Spirit working in us and among us and be unafraid to listen in the stillness of prayer.” (A Practical Guide to Spirituality) For Liturgy Ministers, this means embracing prayer forms in your personal prayer that link you directly to elements of the Eucharist in general and to your particular area of service in particular. In this way you integrate your spiritual life so that your prayer outside of Mass will strengthen the prayer and service you give within it.
Remember, this is integral to developing a spirituality that will create in you the difference between someone doing a job at Mass and someone serving God’s people in the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Basic Requirements to Serve in Liturgical Ministry at St Michael the Archangel
Liturgy Ministers are called by God to be instruments of Christ’s Real Presence. Discerning this call to serve at St Michael has four steps.
(1) The first step in this discernment asks potential Liturgy Ministers to examine how their gifts of time and talent can best be shared, being sure to examine the skills, preparation and time commitment of a potential liturgical ministry. Once this initial discernment is complete and a potential minister presents themselves for service.
(2) The second step is that they will be invited to attend the training for their specific ministry choice.
(3) The third step in preparation for Liturgy Ministry is commissioning by the Pastor. (4) The final step in serving as a Liturgy Minister is to attend to ongoing growth in the ministry through prayer, study and attendance at events in the parish and beyond.
General Qualifications for all Liturgy Ministers Liturgy Ministers live according to the law of Christ and the Church. (GIRM 101)
At St Michael’s this means:
Liturgy Ministers must be registered and active members in the parish. Active parishioners are those that contribute time, talent and/or financial support to the work of the parish on a regular basis.
Liturgy Ministers must be fully initiated Catholics in good standing. That means they have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation (with the exception of Altar Servers who do NOT have to be confirmed to serve), and participate faithfully in the celebration of the Eucharist. Liturgy ministers live their lives in such a way that their love for the Mass is evident by their regular active participation in it.
If married, Liturgy Ministers must be in a valid marriage. A valid Catholic marriage in the Church. Exceptions to the last requirement must be approved by Church authority. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) If single, a Liturgy Ministers’ life must be led according to the values of the Church. Singles wishing to serve as a Liturgy Minister must not be engaged in any activities that would diminish the possibility of Christ being known to be present in and through them when they serve at the Lord’s banquet.
Liturgy Ministers are formed and trained for their ministry and are renewed in their ministry annually. (GIRM 101) At St Michael, this means:
Liturgy Ministers must attend both initial and ongoing formation and training in accordance with the schedule given to them. These sessions are intended to help ministers model Christ’s life in which He prayed, studied, taught others and shared the action of God with others. In following in His footsteps, everyone will be expected to attend ongoing formation and training.
Parishioners already serving in the Liturgy Ministry of the parish must attend an initial liturgy formation events. As Jesus welcomed opportunities to gather with those who loved Him and as Jesus welcomed chances to both teach and learn, so we wish to model that here at St Michael’s.
Liturgy Ministers reveal Christ to those they serve. At St Michaels, this means:
When scheduled to serve as a Liturgy Minister, care should be taken with appearance. Nothing should be worn that calls attention to the minister, for the minister’s role is to mediate Christ really presents at the Eucharist. As guests at the Lord’s Table, we want to come portraying ourselves as prepared and honored to serve.
To give this outward sign here at St Michaels, we ask that Liturgy Ministers dress in formal attire: jackets (and ties) for gentlemen and appropriate apparel for women.
Hair, accessories and make-up should all be simple, neat.
Shoes should allow the minister to move quietly and reverently, and also should not call attention to themselves (e.g., athletic shoes, shoes with sparkles, flashing lights, rollers, or exceedingly high heels.)
When scheduled to serves as a Liturgy Minister, care should be taken with preparation, arrival and prayer.
Because each Liturgy Minister is a sign of Christ’s Real Presence and therefore needs to come having prepared and prayed, it is not ideal to have to ask people to serve at the last minute. This is why if you cannot serve when scheduled, it is imperative that you get a substitute well enough in advance so that they might prepare and pray. Of course, in case of an emergency, Christ’s Spirit will imbue a last-minute substitute with His presence and the liturgy will be served. However, we are working toward liturgies that are saturated with Christ’s Real Presence, and so are trying to move away from anything that is last minute, unprepared and being done without prayer. We want all who come to worship to find us prepared, practiced and prayed so that it is Christ who welcomes them, nourishes them and sends them forth: Christ working through us.
B. Special Requirements Ushers for the Triduum, Easter, Christmas and Holy Days of obligation are gathered by first come, first served sign-ups. The same preparation is required; however, Ushers serving during the Triduum, Easter and Christmas will need to allot two to two and a half hours to serve and may be asked to attend a special training for the liturgies for which they have agreed to serve.
Ushers for Christmas and Easter are most important as we welcome many guests. Please let the people scheduling know during which of these liturgies you will be available to serve. We expect those of you who Usher to plan to be available to mediate Christ’s Real Presence during these most holy days.