Liturgical ministries
Liturgical Ministries are those that first come to mind when you hear the phrase "volunteer at church." These important ministers are a crucial component of making ever Mass successful. Without their help, Mass would not have a congregation, for it is through the people that we truly proclaim the Word of God. To find out more about Liturgical Ministries, see below.
Altar Servers
Altar Servers are young people who assist the presider at the Mass. It is open to girls and boys who are in the 5th grade and above. This service involves a regular commitment to a scheduled Mass. It is one of the most helpful services that young people can perform in the parish and is an opportunity to learn more about the church and our worship of God.
Training: Training for this position is required and provided every Fall. If you would like to get trained as an Altar Server please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 (Briggsville).
Scheduling: Schedules are made quarterly at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Portage) and monthly at St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville).
Altar Servers are young people who assist the presider at the Mass. It is open to girls and boys who are in the 5th grade and above. This service involves a regular commitment to a scheduled Mass. It is one of the most helpful services that young people can perform in the parish and is an opportunity to learn more about the church and our worship of God.
Training: Training for this position is required and provided every Fall. If you would like to get trained as an Altar Server please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 (Briggsville).
Scheduling: Schedules are made quarterly at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Portage) and monthly at St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville).
Lector (Proclaimer of the Word)
Lectors are entrusted with proclaiming God’s Word at liturgy. This involves the reading and reflecting of the assigned scriptures so their message and meaning can be communicated to the community through your proclamation. Preparation includes the use of the Lector Workbook, which contains the readings for the year/cycle and provides invaluable information such as the context of a reading, reflections and a pronunciation guide. A Lector Workbook will be provided for all Lectors who are scheduled.
Training: Training for this position is required and available on an individual basis. If you would like to get trained as an Lector please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 (Briggsville).
Scheduling: Schedules are made triannually (4 months) at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Portage) and monthly at St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville).
Lectors are entrusted with proclaiming God’s Word at liturgy. This involves the reading and reflecting of the assigned scriptures so their message and meaning can be communicated to the community through your proclamation. Preparation includes the use of the Lector Workbook, which contains the readings for the year/cycle and provides invaluable information such as the context of a reading, reflections and a pronunciation guide. A Lector Workbook will be provided for all Lectors who are scheduled.
Training: Training for this position is required and available on an individual basis. If you would like to get trained as an Lector please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 (Briggsville).
Scheduling: Schedules are made triannually (4 months) at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Portage) and monthly at St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville).
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Eucharistic Ministers assist the Presider in the distribution of the Eucharistic bread and wine at liturgy. In a special way, you embody Christ’s present for others and encounter Christ’s presence in others.
Training: Training for this position is required and available upon request. If you would like to get trained as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 (Briggsville).
Scheduling: Schedules are made triannually (4 months) at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Portage) and monthly at St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville).
Eucharistic Ministers assist the Presider in the distribution of the Eucharistic bread and wine at liturgy. In a special way, you embody Christ’s present for others and encounter Christ’s presence in others.
Training: Training for this position is required and available upon request. If you would like to get trained as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 (Briggsville).
Scheduling: Schedules are made triannually (4 months) at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Portage) and monthly at St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville).
Greeter/Usher
This ministry offers the opportunity to greet parishioners and guests who come to worship. Greeters Ushers are the ambassadors of our parish, since they are the first impression people receive when they arrive. The ability to interact with people in a friendly and helpful way is a key quality for this ministry. Consider doing this ministry as a family or with a friend or two!
Training: No formal training is required. If you would like to be added as a Greeter/Usher please contact Deacon Steve Letourneaux at
sletourneaux@gmail.com.
Scheduling: Schedules are made by the Hospitality & Stewardship Committee.
This ministry offers the opportunity to greet parishioners and guests who come to worship. Greeters Ushers are the ambassadors of our parish, since they are the first impression people receive when they arrive. The ability to interact with people in a friendly and helpful way is a key quality for this ministry. Consider doing this ministry as a family or with a friend or two!
Training: No formal training is required. If you would like to be added as a Greeter/Usher please contact Deacon Steve Letourneaux at
sletourneaux@gmail.com.
Scheduling: Schedules are made by the Hospitality & Stewardship Committee.
Sacristans
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to become Sacristans for the Masses. What does that mean? A Sacristan assists the presider in setting up everything that is needed for Mass to run smoothly and to help clean up the vessels of Holy Communion afterward.
Training: Training for this position is required and provided on an individual basis. If you would like to get trained as a Sacristan, please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 or by emailing sclemmons@stmaryotic.org.
Scheduling: Scheduling is done on an individual basis. If you have questions about the schedule, please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 or by emailing sclemmons@stmaryotic.org.
Training: Training for this position is required and provided on an individual basis. If you would like to get trained as a Sacristan, please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 or by emailing sclemmons@stmaryotic.org.
Scheduling: Scheduling is done on an individual basis. If you have questions about the schedule, please contact Sam Clemmons at 608-742-6998 ext. 227 or by emailing sclemmons@stmaryotic.org.
