Liturgical Ministries at Saint Dennis Church

During the National Eucharistic Revival, we have a special opportunity to renew the liturgical practices of our parish community. The liturgical protocols on this page represent the first draft of this renewal process. Your comments and suggestions are welcome as we prepare to implement them during the Year of the Parish in the National Eucharistic Revival. With the restoration of Communion under both species, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Liturgy more fully on special occasions throughout the year. For more information about the schedule and protocols for High Masses at our church, please click here.

Captains

One of the Liturgical Ministers is assigned to serve as a Captain at each Mass. Their duty is to insure that all the liturgical ministry positions are filled for that Mass. If not, the Captain recruits volunteers to fill the vacant positions. The priest is informed of any unfilled vacancies.

Sacristans

Before Mass
  • After the priest prepares the chalice and the ciboria in the sacristy, place the trays with the sacred vessels on the credence table.
  • If there is an offertory procession, place the water, wine, and one ciborium on the offertory table in front of the first pew to the north.
  • Both the water and wine cruets should be filled up for each Mass, especially when there is Communion under both species.
During Mass
  • Ring the consecration bells once when the priest extends his hands over the bread and wine before the consecration (Epiklesis).
  • Ring the consecration bells three times after the priest finishes the consecration of the hosts with the words “given up for you.”
  • Ring the consecration bells three times after the priest finishes the consecration of the chalice with the words “in memory of me.”
After Mass
  • Immediately after the Mass is over, the sacristan assists the ushers in safely transferring the offertory collection into the sacristy safe.
  • If there is no baptism after Mass, bring what is on the credence table back into the sacristy. Otherwise, the priest will do this afterwards.
  • The priest will prepare the chalice and the ciboria for the next Mass. The Tabernacle key remains out until the last Mass of the day.
Notes: The priest will purify all the sacred vessels at the altar after Communion. There is no need for the sacristans to do this after Mass. When Communion under both species is provided, the used cups will be further purified by the priest after Mass, which is prescribed by the rubrics in the Roman Missal.

Communion Servers

The Communion Servers, also known as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, come to the sacristy door to purify their hands, after the congregation recites the response “Lord, I am not worthy.” Then, when the priest begins reciting the Communion Antiphon, the Communion Servers come up to the south side of the altar. The chalice is only administered from the front of the church; it is not taken out into the pews, even for people with mobility issues.

  • 0 – Priest: The priest, as the Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, gives out Communion from a ciborium in the main aisle. If there is a second priest, he takes the place of the Communion Server in the center aisle and fulfills the duties that are described there.
  • 1 – Center: The first Communion Server gives out Communion from a ciborium to people with mobility issues and the media servers. Then, they help the priest distribute Communion in the center aisle. However, as the Communion Hymn ends, they leave the center aisle to take Communion to the musicians.  The sacred vessels are then returned to the altar for the priest to combine and to purify at the altar. If there is a delay in returning from the choir loft, they should wait at the sacristy door with the ciborium, and put the ciborium in the Tabernacle after the priest processes out of church. (When there is a second priest giving out Communion in the center aisle, this Communion Server does not assist at the center aisle at that Mass.)
  • 2 – North: The second Communion Server gives out Communion from a ciborium on the north side, at least ten feet away from the main aisle. However, when Communion is distributed under both species, they administer a small chalice instead. The sacred vessels are then returned to the altar for the priest to combine and purify at the altar, including any small chalices. The priest will consume any remaining Precious Blood at the altar.
  • 3 – South: The third Communion Server gives out Communion from a ciborium on the south side, at least ten feet away from the main aisle. However, when Communion is given under both species, they administer a small chalice instead. The sacred vessels are then returned to the altar for the priest to combine and purify at the altar, including any small chalices. The priest will consume any remaining Precious Blood at the altar.

Notes: Whether there is Communion under one species or both species, the number of Communion Servers remains the same. It will take longer to distribute Communion under both species. The priest will consume the remaining sacred species at the altar.

Readers (Lectors)

  • During the opening prayer, the Reader goes to the sacristy door area, and waits for the conclusion of the opening prayer.
  • At the conclusion of the opening prayer, when the people sit down, the reader goes up to the Ambo for the first reading.
  • After the first reading, the Reader sits in one of the sanctuary chairs closest to the Ambo. 
  • After the Responsorial Psalm, the Reader returns to the Ambo for the second reading.
  • After the second reading, the Reader returns to their pew in the church for the Gospel reading and the priest’s homily.
  • During the Creed, the Reader goes to the sacristy door to wait again, ready to go up to the Ambo for the petitions.
  • After the last Petition, the Reader remains at the Ambo until the priest completes a concluding prayer.
  • When the congregation sits down after this concluding prayer, the Reader returns to their pew in the church.
Notes: Special training is given to the Readers for their ministry. If there is more than one option for a reading, the Reader should consult the priest before Mass starts. If a Gospel Book is used at Mass, the Reader moves the Lectionary Book to the side table in back of the Ambo after the second reading.

Altar Servers

After getting vested and processing into church as trained, there are five main duties of the Altar Servers during Mass.

  • At the Offertory, the Altar Servers bring the sacred vessels to the priest at the altar.
  • Then the Altar Servers bring the water and wine to the priest (do not place on the altar).
  • Then they bring the water, bowl, and the towel to the priest for washing his hands.
  • After Communion, the Altar Servers bring the water to the priest for the purifications.
  • Then they take the sacred vessels back to the side table when the priest indicates.
Notes: Those who have received their First Communion are eligible to become Altar Servers, and may continue serving even when they are in high school. In the absence of any regular Altar Servers at Mass, a trained adult may assist the priest at the altar in a simplified manner.

Greeters

  • Before Mass, the Greeters give out the music pamphlets to parishioners as they greet them.
  • During Mass, the Greeters assist people as needed, as requested, or in case of an emergency.
  • After Mass, the Greeters give out bulletins to parishioners and wish them well as they leave church.
Notes: One of the greeters or ushers should call 911 in case of a medical or other emergency, and then wait at the outer door to guide the first responders into the church to address the emergency situation. Another greeter or usher should remain with or near the person who is in need of special assistance. 

Ushers

  • During the Creed, the ushers get their offertory baskets and line up in the back of church.
  • When the people sit down for the Offertory, the ushers come up the aisle to take up the collection.
  • At the end of the Offertory, an usher gives one basket to the priest at the south side of the altar. The priest places it under the altar.
  • Immediately after Mass, the ushers safely transfer the offertory collection from under the altar into the sacristy safe with the sacristan.
Notes: One of the ushers or greeters should call 911 in case of a medical or other emergency, and then wait at the outer door to guide the first responders into the church to address the emergency situation. Another usher or greeter should remain with or near the person who is in need of special assistance.

Musicians

  • Preludes: There may be more than one prelude. However, the music concludes when the five-minute church bells start ringing.
  • Announcements: Some announcements may be made before Mass. Otherwise, there is quiet instrumental background music.
  • Opening Hymn: After any announcements are given, when the sacristy bells are rung, the Opening Hymn begins right away.
  • The Opening Hymn concludes when the priest stands at the altar or at the chair, so as not to delay the opening prayers.
  • Gloria: Usually recited, except for special occasions. During Advent and Lent, the Kyrie may sometimes be sung instead.
  • Psalm: The texts for the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel Acclamation are taken from the official Lectionary Book.
  • Offertory Music: Brief choral, congregational, or instrumental music concludes when the priest washes his hands.
  • Mass Parts: the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, and Agnus Dei (begun after the Fraction Rite) are always sung.
  • Communion Hymn: Right after the priest recites the Communion Antiphon, the Communion Hymn starts immediately.
  • Meditation Music: After the Communion Hymn is over, there is instrumental music while the musicians receive Communion.
  • One Communion Server comes to the musicians, either at the side, or in the choir loft, after the Communion Hymn ends.
  • The quiet meditation music concludes without delay, as soon as the priest is ready to recite the closing prayers of the Mass.
  • Recessional Music: Choral, congregational, or instrumental music is provided as the priest and the congregation leave the church.
  • Quiet and decorum should prevail after Mass. The applause after Mass should be gradually phased out at our church.
Notes: After the recessional music, people should spend some time in prayer, either in church or in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Conversations and fellowship should occur in the Narthex after Mass, out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament in church.

Media Servers

  • Special training is given to the Media Servers for this ministry. They should turn off the computer after the last Mass of the day.
  • Please note that, if the green light is not on at the Media Desk, the main power switch in the Sacristy must first be turned on.
  • The appropriate use of projection screens in churches is currently under review by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  • Until national norms are enacted by the bishops in this regard, we will continue to use the projection screen as usual at our parish.

Hospitality Ministry

  • Donut Sundays: We hope to have Donut Sundays in the Narthex on the first Sunday of each month, during the school year. Volunteers are needed to pick up the pre-paid donuts from the designated store, and to serve them in the narthex after the 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Masses.
  • Pancake Breakfasts: We also hope to provide more Pancake Breakfasts in Fracaro Hall. These breakfasts would be on other Sunday mornings, as scheduled throughout the school year, in coordination with the Knights of Columbus and other assisting volunteers.
  • Other Special Events: There may be other special events and activities in Fracaro Hall or in the Parish Center Gymnasium, either after the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturdays, or after the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays, as approved and scheduled in advance through the parish office.
  • Liturgical Priorities: Other than the events listed above, no other social or athletic events or activities may be scheduled in any of our parish facilities during our regular weekend Masses, or during other specially-designated times throughout the year. Come to Sunday Mass!

Narthex Events

  • The narthex is primarily a place for welcoming, gathering, and hospitality. Narthex events are scheduled through the parish office.
  • The narthex may also be used to collect items for charitable drives throughout the year, as scheduled by the parish office.
  • Some tickets and booklets may be situated on designated tables, usually located near the narthex kitchen area.
  • Any suggestions for signs on bulletin boards or elsewhere in the Narthex have to be cleared through the parish office.

Mass Intention Requests

  • Please click here to learn about the scheduling of Mass Intentions at our parish, in accord with the diocesan norms.
  • Please feel free to inscribe your Special Intentions in the narthex prayer book by the Blessed Sacrament Chapel door.
  • In the future, we hope to install vigil light stands in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel for your prayer intentions as well.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel

  • Last, but definitely not least, parishioners are encouraged to come to our Blessed Sacrament Chapel before and/or after Mass.
  • The chapel door is always unlocked whenever the church building is open.  So, please make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
  • The Blessed Sacrament Chapel may be available for Adoration at other times, as scheduled through the parish office.
  • For more information about the ongoing Eucharistic Revival throughout our country and at our parish, please click here.

“Let us go the altar of God, the God of our gladness and joy!”