Liturgical Ministry

Communion Minister

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist in distributing the body and blood of Christ.  Each minister is part of a team serving at Mass. Communion ministers are commissioned to serve for three years.  Many ministers are required for this large parish and training is provided.

Contact: Jan Clare - jclare@ststephenchurch.org, 763-712-7458

Lector

The lector's role is to proclaim the Word of God in the Sacred Scriptures at Sunday and daily liturgies. When the Word is proclaimed in the Church, it is God who speaks to the people, and it is Christ, present in his Word, who proclaims the Gospel.

 

This ministry is open to teenagers and adults who have celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. Training and yearly updates are provided and necessary to good proclamation.

Contact: Jan Clare jclare@ststephenchurch.org, 763-712-7458

Commentator

This is a continuing role of the Lector. The commentator reads pulpit announcements, as well as petitions, then holds them in his or her heart as the Word of God is proclaimed. In light of the Word and homily, the petitioner then leads the assembly in exercising their priestly function lifting to God the needs of all human beings.

Contact:
Jan Clare jclare@ststephenchurch.org, 763-712-7458

Liturgy of the Word with Children

Following the opening prayer of the Sunday liturgies, a lay leader and the children are dismissed to the chapel where the day's readings are proclaimed. Lay presiders and assistants serve in the Holy Cross Chapel during 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Masses.

Contact: Terri Renner trenner@ststephenchurch.org; 763-712-7459

Usher

Ushers welcome people to the celebration of Mass, encourage participation and reverence through leadership, take up the collection during the Preparation of Gifts, and guide worshippers during the communion procession. At each Mass, all ushers report to the Head Usher. The Head Usher sees to the general appearance of the room (including books and worship aides), helps people with special needs, and handles other situations that arise.

Contact: Jan Clare jclare@ststephenchurch.org, 763-712-7458

Altar Server

Altar Servers are needed to assist the Presider and the assembly at each liturgy. This ministry is open to all in the parish grade 5 through adults. New servers are trained each year and update training is provided for specific liturgies of the Christmas and Easter seasons. Adults provide server ministry for parish adult funerals. Training for new servers is provided each fall season.

Contact: Jan Clare jclare@ststephenchurch.org, 763-712-7458

Environment and Art Decorators

This group is responsible for changing the Worship environment for each of the liturgical seasons during the year.  Meetings are held to create plans and decorate the church.  The group includes crafts people, artisans, carpenters, those knowledgeable about tools and hardware, artistic decorators, florists, and seamstresses.

Contact: Gretchen Foht gfoht@ststephenchurch.org,  763-712-7448

Environment and Art Inventory Management

This group is responsible for organizing and managing our large inventory of decorations and props after major seasons, celebrations, and feasts.  Some lifting is required.

 

Contact: Gretchen Foht gfoht@ststephenchurch.org, 763-712-7448

Music Ministers

Cantors

Cantors lead the assembly in sung prayer at weekend and holiday liturgies.  Cantors must be trained in music and be knowledgeable about Catholic tradition or willing to learn.

 

Accompanists

Lead the sung prayer of the assembly by accompanying cantors or ensembles as needed on piano, organ, guitar and more.

Music Ensembles

A Touch of Gospel

Thursday evening rehearsals

3 times a month

Singers and instrumentalists

Adult Choir
Wednesday evening rehearsal
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. September through June
Singers and instrumentalists

 

Teen Music Ensemble
Wednesday evening rehearsals
High School, young adults

Youth Choir
Saturday morning rehearsals as needed
Youth from 2nd through 8th grade

 

Contact for all music ensembles: Bernie Leach bleach@ststephenchurch.org,
763-712-7453