Each week, a Steward of Altar Linens, takes the used linens home to wash them and returns them to the sacristy. Interested? Contact the parish office or Audrey Peterson at 865-0519.
Each week, Sacristans, in teams of 3 or 4, offer their time and energy to change alter linens, vacuum the altar area, dust, and tidy up the missalettes and hymnals. Each team works for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, once every 3 months. You will be assigned to a team with experienced sacristans. Interested? Contact the parish office or Leona Hancock at 663-1124.
This ministry is a volunteer ministry and is usually done as part of a group. One initially calls the contact person, Leona Hancock, who will then assign the volunteer to an existing group or (if there are a few new volunteers), to a new group. If you would like to contact Leona, please call the parish office to express your interest in becoming a Sacristan. Just leave a number where you can be reached, along with a good time to call. Audrey Peterson is the contact person for Altar Linens. She can add you to the rotation (about 4 or 5 times a year) for the preparations of the linens.
Sacristy work is seen as a service of ministry to all people of God. Sacristans are responsible for the cleaning of the sanctuary, the sacristy, and for the general orderliness of the church in preparation for the weekend liturgies. Both men and women are involved in this ministry.
Special talents or gifts needed for this ministry
A sacristan should have a love of liturgy and a reverence for the sacred space that is the gathering space for the people of God. No special talents or gifts are needed to minister in this capacity.
Duration of ministry
This ministry would last as long as one is able to continue or desires to perform this ministry. Each group of sacristans plans together the work that is needed and together performs the ministry. It is preferable that the work of the sacristan take place on Saturday mornings, usually after the 8:00 AM Mass. It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The rotation would involve participation approximately 5 times each year.
Rehearsal times or training sessions
The contact person for sacristans usually schedules the sacristan groups for a year at a time. When a person is new to the ministry (or the group is new), this contact person will arrange to meet with him/her to show where the cleaning supplies are, and what needs to be done. The ministry follows the "directions" sheet distributed to each Sacristan.
Expected dress requirements
Clothes should be appropriate for the ministry, recognizing also that this ministry is done in the sanctuary of the church.
Altar Linens
This ministry involves the washing and ironing of the altar linens used for our liturgical celebrations. This Ministry is done at the volunteer's home.
Special talents or gifts needed for this ministry
The washing and ironing of the linens used for the altar should, because of their special use, be well done and presentable for use at the altar.
Duration of the Ministry
This ministry would last as long as one is able to continue or desires to perform this ministry. The coordinator of this ministry sends a postcard to the volunteer reminding the volunteer a week or so in advance as a reminder to the volunteer that it is his/her turn to do the linens. Usually the volunteer picks up the soiled linens from the sacristy after one of the weekend liturgies and returns them the following weekend when coming to Mass.
Rehearsal times or training sessions
The coordinator of this ministry will explain the ministry to the new volunteer.