Liturgical Ministries


…participation in the liturgy is the right and duty of all the baptized.” (Second Vatican Council)

Through our Baptism, we receive a share in the priesthood of Christ and participate in public worship which is the liturgy of the Church. Our liturgical ministers place themselves at the service of the liturgical assembly and contribute to the worship of the community. As the Second Vatican Council makes clear, liturgical participation is the responsibility of all the baptized. While not all are called to active liturgical service, we all contribute through our active participation, in prayer and in song, in the celebration of the liturgy.

Please note that many of our Liturgical Ministries require that volunteers be Partners in the Mission. This means that you attend Mass weekly and frequent the sacraments, are committed to spiritual growth, contribute financially to the mission and ministries of the parish, and have a sacrificial giving pledge card on file.

Click on each listed ministry to see a description and contact information.

Altar Servers serve at the Lord’s table for Sundays, Holy Days, funerals, wedding liturgies, and Masses with Saint Michael Parish School. This is a great way to be involved and to learn more about the Mass. Open to adults who are active parishioners and to youth in at least the fourth grade who have received First Communion. Training is provided and dress code is required.
Contact: Tom Targus at (360) 480-2476

Extraordinary Ministers assist, with reverence and dignity, in the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass. This ministry is available to active, confirmed parishioners who are Partners in the Mission. Training session required.
Contact: Michelle Clinton at (360) 292-7111 or mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org

Just like the community, hospitality members are friendly, caring, and welcoming. They greet and welcome everyone who walks through our doors. They help usher for Communion and help parishioners find seats. They respond to emergencies, open windows, close doors, assist in taking up the Sunday offering, and hand out bulletins after Mass. Commitment is approximately 90 minutes per Sunday scheduled. A great opportunity for families and those trying ministry for the first time. Training is provided.
Contact: Michelle Clinton at (360) 292-7111 or mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org

Lectors proclaim God’s living word on Sundays and at special liturgies,
approximately once a month or at daily Mass once a week. Lectors also lead the Prayers of the Faithful when a deacon is not present. This
ministry is available to active, confirmed parishioners who are Partners in the Mission. Tryouts and training are required.
Contact: Michelle Clinton at (360) 292-7111 or mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org

Sacristans ensure all preparations for Mass are complete and that albs, linens, candlesticks, etc. are clean and ready. A Sacristan has a love of the liturgy, an eye for detail, and good people skills. About two hours are needed for preparation before and cleanup after Mass. Volunteers must be Partners in the Mission and have previously served as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. There is also an interview process.
Contact: Michelle Clinton at (360) 292-7111 or mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org

“In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1)
Saint Michael Parish has a long tradition of excellent leadership and participation in the music at liturgies. As a ministry, we—together with the congregation—mirror the very beauty of God’s creation through music.
 
The music ministry is a collective of very ordinary people contributing their extraordinary God-given gifts to serve the Church. What are your gifts, and how will you get involved this year?
Below is an overview of our offerings and prayer opportunities, as well as current ways to get involved.
CATHOLIC CREATIVES
While music ministers cannot serve at most public masses due to COVID-19, there is great need for creatives of all backgrounds to contribute to the beauty of sacred liturgy through their craft. Want to write music for liturgy? Want to create beautiful liturgical art? Is the Holy Spirit calling you to create or get involved in new ways? First, read Pope Saint John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, then get in touch with Andrew Goldstein, Steward for Music at (360) 292-7140 or agoldstein@saintmichaelparish.org
LITURGICAL MUSIC MINISTERS
While congregational singing is temporarily suspended (and thus, there is no choir present at liturgies)  there is still a great need for instrumentalists to get involved to provide beautiful and prayerful music at liturgies. Once normal Mass operations return, Choirs sing at all masses at the Westside Church (Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am) and Downtown (Saturday 5pm, Sunday 7:30am, 11:30am). Bands play Downtown (Sunday 9:30am and 5pm) with a blend of contemporary and praise music. Want to get involved? Contact: Andrew Goldstein, Steward for Music at (360) 292-7140 or agoldstein@saintmichaelparish.org
YOUTH CHOIR
Saint Michael Parish hosts two youth choirs around Christmas time, geared at developing prayer, musicality, and deepening knowledge of the Church’s musical traditions. Anticipated start date for choir is the first week of November. To register, contact Andrew Goldstein, Steward for Music Ministry, at agoldstein@saintmichaelparish.org or (360) 292-7140.

FUNERALS & WEDDINGS
To plan music for a funeral or wedding, please contact Andrew Goldstein, Steward for Music Ministry: agoldstein@saintmichaelparish.org or (360) 292-7140.

CHANT & PRAISE/WORSHIP & MUSICAL PRAYER
Throughout the year, the Music Ministry hosts many opportunities to pray through music outside of Sunday liturgies. These take the form of praise & worship nights, Taizé prayer groups, and an ongoing chant prayer group. While these are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis, you can contact Andrew Goldstein, Steward for Music Ministry to learn more: agoldstein@saintmichaelparish.org or (360) 292-7140.

This ministry provides an opportunity to personally witness the Sacrament of Marriage and is ideal for couples who want to share time together while helping others. Coordinators assist engaged couples to plan their liturgy,
direct the rehearsal, and are present on the wedding day. Training is provided and weddings are assigned as your schedule permits.
Contact: Andrew Casad at (360) 292-4127 or acasad@saintmichaelparish.org

This hard-working group supports the liturgy and welcomes anyone with “arts & crafts” skills to help us decorate and create the atmosphere for fulfilling worship. Members help plan and implement the enhancement of our liturgical and worship spaces. Time commitment varies by project.
Contact: Joel Williams at (360) 753-4404 or matercubed92@hotmail.com

This ministry provides compassionate support to those who have recently lost a family member. Once the family has met with a priest, the coordinator contacts the family and responds to the specific needs for the liturgy. A team approach is taken and training provided. The team consists of a coordinator, sacristan, and several assistants.
Contact: Michelle Clinton (360) 292-7111 or mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org

The funeral liturgy assistant is directed by the coordinator in completing many small tasks in preparation for the funeral liturgy. They may also serve in one of the liturgical ministerial roles ( i.e. lector, thurifer, altar server, or extraordinary minister of holy communion).
Contact: Michelle Clinton (360) 292-7111 or mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org