The WORSHIP COMMISSION envisions, coordinates and evaluates the worship, liturgical, and prayer life of St. James Parish, consistent with the universal Church and Diocesan policies, and the goals of the Parish Pastoral Council. Included in its responsibilities are: inviting and training liturgical ministers, preparing liturgical and prayer celebrations, determining parish policy regarding parish liturgical matters and liturgical education of the parish, and supporting ecumenism with other Christian Churches in Ferndale.
Any parishioner who shares in the desire to foster meaningful worship, liturgical and prayer experiences in our parish is encouraged to be a member of this commission.
MINISTRIES OF THE WORSHIP COMMISSION
Altar Servers - Altar servers assist and serve the priest during mass. They lead the entrance procession with candles and a cross. They ensure that all items required for the celebration are available to the priest at the appropriate time. To serve as an Altar Server, one must be in 4th grade or older and be a practicing Catholic.
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist (EME) - Trained and dedicated individuals distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to their fellow parishioners with reverence and care. Each EME follows a monthly schedule which is provided to the EME and posted in Church. To serve as an EME, one must be a fully initiated and practicing Catholic.
Lectors - Trained and committed lectors proclaim the Word of God at weekend liturgies. Each lector receives a workbook that gives background information and word pronunciation. This book is used to practice the readings prior to proclaiming them at Mass. Lectors are scheduled on a rotation schedule. To serve as a Lector, one must be a fully initiated and practicing Catholic, and be able to proclaim the Word of God with passion and reverence.
Ushers - Ushers greet parishioners and visitors at church doors, give directions if necessary, invite parishioners to present the Offertory gifts, facilitate the offertory, and guide the Communion procession. They monitor a comfortable temperature in the Church (thermostat, windows and doors), know the procedure for medical and fire emergencies, and generally assist parishioners’ comforts and needs. After Mass, they hand out bulletins, straighten up the Church, and ensure that the Church is locked and secure. One usher, along with that day’s lector, deposits money from the collection basket into the safe.
Greeters – Greeters, like ushers, provide a warm welcome to parishioners and visitors by greeting them at the Church doors before Mass. At seasonal times, greeters also hand out special welcome pamphlets as people enter the Church.
WHO ARE YOUR WORSHIP REPRESENTATIVES?
Worship Chairperson: Dorothy McLaren
Altar Server Coordinators: Mary Wysner and Cindy Burke
Lector Coordinator: Francine Potochnik
Usher Coordinator: Mike Sigler and Tom Jaksa
Parish Pastoral Council Representative: Kevin Allison