Worship is central to our spiritual life as a Christian people. Through our full, conscious, and active worship, we celebrate God’s continual presence among us.
Liturgical Ministers’ Dress Guidelines
Hospitality
What does a greeter do?
- welcomes parishioners and visitors as they arrive at the doors and provides them with worship song sheets, Sunday bulletins or other materials
- at the end of the service, opens doors again to allow churchgoers to leave
What does an usher do?
- greets the Assembly as they arrive for Mass, making everyone feel welcome
- finds seats at appropriate times
- collects and brings tithes, gifts and other offerings to the altar
- chooses the gift bearers at the Offertory
- directs the flow of traffic inside the church, including during Communion
- provides helpful information such as where restrooms and other facilities are located
Who can be a hospitality minister (greeter/usher)?
- an outgoing person who likes people
- is sensitive to the needs of others
- possesses the ability to work with others as part of a team
If you would like more information or interested in participating in this ministry, call the Parish Office at (510) 895-5631, email us at stleander@sbcglobal.net, or submit a completed Ministry Opportunity Form.
Acolyte/Coordinator/Sacristan
What does the coordinator/sacristan do?
- prepares the Sunday and daily Eucharistic celebrations
- checks the ciborium to determine the amount of host and wine needed for mass
- checks and determines who can serve as Eucharistic Minister for mass
- assists and guides any Eucharistic Minister who may need help
- washes and dries all the vessels used after mass
- coordinates with the presider any special instructions for a given mass
Who can be a coordinator/sacristan
- any committed practicing Catholic who is willing to attend training as needed.
- comfortable in establishing a relationship with the presider, other Eucharist Ministers and most especially to each communicant. This is the most important aspect of the liturgy.
Guidelines for Eucharistic Coordinators
If you would like more information or interested in participating in this ministry, submit a completed Ministry Opportunity Form or call the Parish Office at (510) 895-5631.
Word
“Happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28
What does the word minister or lector do?
- becomes Christ’s voice for the assembly
- reads the Introduction, the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm (if there is no Cantor), Second Reading, Prayers of the Faithful (if there is no Deacon), and any special announcements as requested
Who can be a word minister or lector?
- effectively uses a microphone with careful enunciation, eye contact, appropriate rate of speech, proper posture and movement
- able to gain and keep the attention of the listeners
- able to convey enthusiasm and motivate the listener
- able to prepare adequately by thoroughly studying the texts that will be proclaimed
- confident
- sensitive to audience diversity
If you would like more information or interested in participating in this ministry, submit a completed Ministry Opportunity Form or call the Parish Office at (510) 895-5631.
Eucharist
“And it happened that, while he was with them at the table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” – Luke 24:30
Who is a eucharistic minister?
- a trained lay minister who has a deep understanding of the real presence of Jesus Christ in bread and wine
- assists the priest to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ during the Communion Rite at mass
- takes on Christ’s likeness by strengthening faith from within and sharing it with the faithful at communion
Who can be a eucharistic minister?
- has a strong devotion to our Lord in the holy Eucharist
- understands the sacrament of the Eucharist
- is comfortable in establishing a relationship with each communicant in what is most likely the most intimate moment in liturgy
- able to work with others as part of a team
Guidelines for Eucharistic Ministers
To volunteer or for more information on this ministry, contact Marivic Matias at mpmatias@pacbell.net or at (510) 636-0879.
Music
“Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.” – Psalm 149
What does the choir do?
- helps people to respond to God’s word, to acclaim the gospel, to sing of our salvation in Christ and gather our many voices into one
- consists of singers, cantor, piano/organ and other instrumental accompanists
Who can be a choir member?
- is a person of faith and of prayer, maintaining an attitude of openness and spirituality.
- is able to work with a variety of liturgical song forms (acclamations, brief responses, litanies, responsorial songs, hymns and choir anthems).
- has a desire to sing and able to learn various types of music – liturgical, sacred, secular, etc., and enjoy singing.
- has a good attitude and is able to work well with others
- has good communication and cooperation with the choir and the Choir director.
- is able to attend scheduled rehearsals, church services and other activities and observes punctuality
If you would like more information or interested in participating in this ministry, submit a completed Ministry Opportunity Form. You may also contact Gary Yerby at (510) 895-5631.
| Choir | Sings | Practices on |
| English | Youth – 2nd Sundays, 11:00 am
Adults – 11:00 am |
Youth - Adults – Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Music Room |
| Filipino | First Sundays – 11:00 am | Fridays before first Sunday Ethnic Center at 7:00 pm |
| Hispanic | Sunday – 9:30 am and 12:30 p.m. | Children – Mondays at 7:00 pm Music Room Youth – Thursdays at 6:00 pm Youth Center Adults – Mondays at 6:00 pm CCD Room |
Altar Guild
What does the altar guild minister do?
- washes and irons purificators, corporals, altar linens, altar server robes and the priest’s albs.
This ministry is very important because the linens need to be done on a regular basis to be ready for use at any time. Certain guidelines must be followed, so the linens are picked and returned on the scheduled day.
Volunteers are always welcome! If you would like more information or interested in participating in this ministry, give the Parish Office a call at (510) 895-5631.
Environment / Flowers
What is the environment/flowers ministry about?
- makes the liturgy a beautiful and inspiring place to worship
- transform a building into worship space using color, art, and flowers through talent and time
Who can be an environment/flowers minister?
- has love for the arts of all kinds
- has an aptitude for craft-work including but not limited to sewing wood working skills, painting of all types
- is open to new ideas and work on group projects
If you would like more information or interested in participating in this ministry, give the Parish Office a call at (510) 895-5631.