Worship Ministry

The sacristan assists the presider with preparing for the upcoming Mass. The sacristan sets up the credence table and altar and makes sure there are enough altar servers, lectors, and extraordinary ministers of communion. Training is provided. Ministers serve once a month at a Mass of their choice.

Altar Servers assist presiding priests at daily, weekend and Holy Day Masses. They assist the priest and deacon in the celebration of the Mass so the liturgy can be conducted with grace and reverence. This ministry is open to children in grades 5 and higher and adults. 2 training sessions are required. Servers are asked to commit to one Mass a month at the Mass of your choice and during special liturgical celebrations.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion give the Eucharist to their fellow parishioners at daily and weekend Mass and special liturgical celebrations. One training session is required.  Ministers serve once a month at the Mass of their choice but are  encouraged to server whenever there is an opening.

Lectors proclaim the word of God to the parishioners so that all may share more deeply in the Eucharistic celebration.  Lectors should be comfortable speaking in front of people and possess good speaking skills. 

One training session is required. Ministers serve once a month at the liturgy of their choice.

The hospitality greeter enthusiastically welcomes parishioners and guests coming to Mass and events. This ministry opens doors for people arriving, assists people who struggle getting around, and addresses questions about facility locations and events.  Open to all, this is also a great family ministry. Greeters are asked to serve once a month at the Mass of their choice. Training is provided.

Ushers assist in creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for the celebration of Masses.  This ministry of hospitality helps people find seating as they gather, takes up the collection, secures the offertory, ushers members to Communion, and cleans up after Mass. This ministry is open to all – women and men, individuals and families. Training is provided. Ministers serve once a month at a Mass of their choice.

Overhead screens are integral to the congregation’s participation in each Mass. We are always in need of individuals who are willing to volunteer their time for this ministry. If you have a gift for technology, we need you. Each media technician assists at 1-2 Masses a month based on personal availability. Computer skills are a recommended, but training in the use of this software is provided.

Currently, St. Bernard Parish also provides a livestream of the 10:00 am Mass on Sunday on Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo and the parish website. Media specialists who operate the livestream require additional training to handle unique situations that arise from broadcasting line on-line. We are always looking for volunteers who have a special gift understanding technology to serve in this capacity.

Providing balanced music for each liturgical  celebration is made possible through the work of our sound technicians. Training is provided for anyone who is interested in providing set-up and monitoring of sound equipment such as microphones, amplifiers, and the main sound console. Willingness to learn basics of sound mixing is essential. Commitment for this ministry is one to two Masses per month. Additional training will be required.

Funeral altar servers accompany the presider as he greets the family and receives the body in the entrance procession and assists the priest during the Mass. Funeral Servers used for funerals are trained specifically for these Masses and are used on an as need basis.

The art and environment committee helps create a prayerful environment to draw the community into deeper awareness of God through creation. The liturgy director and members plan and coordinate the floral and plant arrangements and other decorations of the church during the different liturgical seasons.

The assistant sacristan makes sure that the small linens used for Mass are cleaned, pressed, and folded properly for the next week. In addition, the assistant sacristans also ensure the sacristies are clean and tidy each week. Assistant sacristans are responsible for one week’s worth of laundry and cleaning month. Training is provided