Liturgical Ministries

Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist Karen Wilke - 850-9144 - kwkw817@charter.net or Judy McQuinn - 241-2342 - jamcql@charter.net Appropriate Age Level: Confirmed persons through adult with a deep appreciation of the sacrament. Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist offer Christ's Body and Blood to the members of Christ's body — the Church. The Consecrated Host and Consecrated Wine are offered at every mass each day and during all special Eucharistic celebrations. Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to mass and stay after mass to help with clean up and set-up. Training sessions occur three or four times a year. Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist will be scheduled approximately once a month.

Lectors Karen Wilke - 850-9144 - kwkw817@charter.net or Judy McQuinn - 241-2342 - jamcql@charter.net Appropriate Age Level: Middle school through adult. Special Skills Required: Above average reading ability. The duty of a lector is to proclaim the Word of God with reverence. He or she must enjoy reading and be comfortable in front of a group. Besides the readings, the lector reads the prayer of the faithful. To help lectors prepare, each lector receives a copy of the "Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers." Lectors are asked to read and study these readings beforehand. They are asked to arrive 15 minutes before mass in order to look over the readings and prayers. A lector is scheduled approximately once every two months. Training sessions occur one or two times per year, or as needed.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist to the Homebound/Shut-ins Don Kreul or Parish Office (608) 244-6291 The act of lay persons bringing the Eucharist to people who are temporarily or permanently sick or homebound is a ministry that was authorized in 1973. This decree, signed by Pope Paul VI, authorized laymen and women to become extraordinary ministers. This decree, of course, included visiting and taking the Eucharist to the homebound/shut-ins. St. Peter's has participated in this program for many years. Ministers are quick to attest how richly they have been blessed, and how bringing "Our Lord" to others and spending time with the homebound is much more a matter of receiving than giving. Many passages in Scripture affirm the positive effects of this care ministry. It has been said that the most important prayer is that which leads to union with God because it is through this union that "ministry" will bear the most fruit. Prayer is communion with Christ, and extends throughout the Church, which is His Body, and its dimensions are those of Christ's love. This ministry is directly involved in caring for and bringing the Body of Christ to less fortunate individuals. When there is a need for volunteers for the communion ministry an appeal is made. There are usually about ten teams, with three active on any given Sunday. Teams receive an average of one to three assignments in a two-month period. Communion to the homebound follows the 9:00 a.m. mass. New ministers receive materials and instructions at a mutually agreed upon time. An appeal is also made when volunteers are needed for the visitation ministry. Visitation ministers are asked to make monthly visits to the shut-in to whom they are assigned. If anyone feels they have a propensity for either of the above ministries, please talk to Fr. Roger or Don Kreul for more information in your discernment.

Servers Deacon Todd Martin (608) 246-8476 Appropriate Age Level: Fourth grade and up. Being a server requires reverence, knowledge, dedication, and a love of God and the Church. A server carries out the important role of assisting the priest(s) at mass. The ministry of serving at Saturday, Sunday or special liturgies requires assigning a specified number of servers. A server will be asked to serve approximately once a month. An effort will be made to schedule the servers at a time that is preferable to the server and his or her family. However, some flexibility is necessary in the event of an illness or as other special needs occur. Often more people sign up for a particular mass than the number needed, leaving another mass short of servers. In this case, the server may be asked to serve at a time other than their first choice. This service to the Church helps you grow spiritually. Servers in the past have often enjoyed other special rewards as our appreciation for a job well done. Come and be surprised! Training, which is usually held in September, is available for those who have never served before.

Ushers Jeff Meyer (608) 246-0124 Appropriate Age Level: Adult men and women. Ushers and greeters are considered ministers of hospitality. They are usually the first persons the parishioners and visitors meet as they gather for the Celebration of the Mass, Evening Prayer, or other special celebrations. Ushers greet people and assist in seating people. They make sure that the church is cleaned and that the pews are straightened and in order for the next mass. There is a book on a table in the back of the church which provides parishioners an opportunity to sign up to carry up the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory procession. The ushers are to check the book to see if someone has signed up to do so at each mass. If no one has signed up, the ushers are to invite parishioners to take part in this simple but meaningful ministry. Other important duties for the ushers are taking up the collection, directing the Communion Procession, and distributing Sunday bulletins and special envelopes at the conclusion of mass. They should always be prepared to assist with emergencies that may occur.