A Note to St. Mary Sacristans, Servers, Lectors and EME’s

To: All St. Mary Sacristans; Servers; Lectors; Eucharistic Ministers

From: Dale Brasseur, Worship Commission Chairperson

I would like to inform the appropriate ministers of the changes that have been decided upon for mass. The changes should be implemented upon your receipt of this information. I have broken down the changes by ministry. They follow:

Sacristans: Sacristans will no longer make announcements at the beginning of mass. This was the announcement welcoming everyone to St. Mary, what mass that we are celebrating, etc. The mass will begin upon the Music Minister informing the congregation of the Entrance Song. You will still need to find someone to bring up gifts, but will not be announcing them as there are no announcements.

Servers: First, there is confusion about the procession, so I would like to clarify. The cross is always part of the procession into church and out of church. If there are only two servers at mass, one will process with the cross and the other server will process with nothing behind the server carrying the cross. If there are three servers, the other two process behind the cross with the candles taken from the ambo/lectern. Second, there will no longer be bells rung when the priest elevates the host and the chalice. Third, we will be using a clear plastic book holder to hold the gospel book. It will have to be removed from the altar during the preparation of the altar for the gifts.

Lectors: First, Lectors will continue to read the announcements after the closing prayer and before the dismissal. Be sure to inform a visiting priest that we do this and be prepared to get to the ambo quickly to read the announcements. Both the announcements and intercessory prayers should be at the ambo/lectern in the white binder before mass. Second, one Lector will now process with the Gospel book into church at the beginning of mass. If there are two Lectors, only the Lector processing with the Gospel book will be in the procession. The other Lector will sit in the pew. At the conclusion of the mass, the other Lector will process with the Gospel book out of church. The Lector that processed into church at the beginning of mass will remain in their pew.

There will be more changes that will be instituted in the coming months. Most will affect the servers. As changes are introduced, you will be informed.

Those of us that have been at St. Mary for the past several years have experienced many changes. You have been very accepting of the changes, which is appreciated. On behalf of the St. Mary Worship Commission, I would like to thank all ministers for the selfless giving of your time and talent and placing your faith in action. Your ministries are vital to the mass as we bring praise and glory to God.