Liturgical Ministries
Altar Servers
Boys and girls, 4th grade and above, are eligible for this ministry. Training is required. Altar Servers assist as scheduled at weekly Masses, weddings, funerals, and school liturgies. Altar Servers arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass dressed in Sunday best ready to serve the Church and assist the priest. Adult volunteers must be VIRTUS-trained. Call the parish office at 478-745-1631.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest by doing pre-Mass set-up, assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and doing after-Mass clean-up. They also take Holy Communion to parishioners who can’t attend Mass. Any Catholic over 16, who is in sacramental union with the Church and has been a member of the parish for at least two years may apply. All members must be approved by the pastor and the Bishop. Initial training is done with follow-up as needed. Ministers sign up to serve at one or two Masses per month. Eucharistic Ministers must be VIRTUS-trained.
ACOLYTES
MINISTRY LEADER: Glenn Carter
Acolytes are members of the parish who are at least 18 years of age, confirmed and in good standing with the Church. Acolytes serve at the altar and ensure the smooth flow of the liturgy. In particular, it is their responsibility to oversee the liturgical actions of the altar servers and to assist the deacon and priest as needed.
DECORATION MINISTRY
MINISTRY LEADER: Elaine Schmitt
Talented volunteers secure and arrange flowers on the altars and decorate for solemnities, feasts and other special occasions. Members also help prepare special reception flowers, water plants in the church and assist in the annual flower festival.
ALTAR SOCIETY
Volunteers oversee the changing of candles and all altar linens, clean holy altar fonts and containers and assemble the Easter Vigil individual candles and drip trays. They keep vestments and altar linens neatly organized and dry-cleaned when needed. In addition they wash all purificators, corporals and altar server garments.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children Liturgy Ministers present the Gospel readings to children, ages 4yrs.-1st grade, at the 11:00 AM Mass. The adult volunteer reads the Word from a child-friendly version of the Bible and then leads an age-appropriate discussion, which may include a short activity or coloring page. Interested adults would volunteer at least one Mass per month, and undergo a volunteer background check and receive VIRTUS training. The children love and receive so much from hearing the gospel readings on their level. Call the parish office at 478-745-1631 to volunteer.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND
MINISTRY LEADER: Debra McMahon
These ministers fulfill an important need for our Church by taking Communion and the Word of God weekly or monthly to those who are recovering from illness, who are homebound due to disability, or to permanent residents in area nursing homes. All parishioners over 18, who are in sacramental union with the Church and who have been a member of the parish for at least one year, are welcome; however, special training is required. Volunteers must be VIRTUS-trained.
LECTORS
Lectors boldly and effectively proclaim God’s Word within the context of liturgical worship at St. Joseph Parish. They read assigned readings at Sunday worship and other special liturgical celebrations. Lectors must be outgoing, friendly, good readers and communicators, with a strong voice. They must have received Confirmation, be in good standing with the Catholic Church, and be registered members of St. Joseph Church. An audition is necessary and attendance to 1 seminar per year is required. Lectors average 2-3 readings per quarter, and they must spend time preparing for their readings. Lectors must be VIRTUS-trained.
USHERS
MINISTRY LEADER: J.D. Sparks
Ushers are individuals who help with seating, taking up collections, and distributing bulletins at the end of Mass. Adults 17 and over are invited to be ushers at one Mass per month. Individuals must have received Confirmation, be registered members of St. Joseph Church and complete the VIRTUS safe environment training program offered by the Diocese of Savannah. Training is done on-the-job.