Blessed Sacrament Parish

Current Listing of Parish Activities

Committees and Organizations at Blessed Sacrament, A to Z

The following activities and programs are available at Blessed Sacrament, and YOU are invited to take part. Call the person in charge for more information.

Adoration:: Parishioners pray in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, open 24/7. Contact Colleen Morrissey, 475-9515.
Altar Servers:: Young ministers in service to the altar during Mass. Contact Bev Bingle, 472-2288, x227. See Handbook at the end of this listing.
Baptism Preparation:: Call the Parish office to make arrangements, 472-2288, x210.
Blood Bank:: In conjunction with St. Pius X and Christ the King, parishioners organize a parish blood drive several times a year. Contact Marcy Gregory, 578-1800.
Cap, Mitten, & Scarf Project:: Knitters and crocheters meet the second Tuesday at 10 to make items for donation to children in central city Catholic schools. Contact Lois Doran, 474-9636.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:: Sunday School, Early Education, and BS School children come to the “atrium” space to learn about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, helping them prepare for fuller and more prayerful participation at Mass. Hands-on materials are provided to connect the children with the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, the life of Christ, and the parables of scripture. Contact Karen Momenee, 472-0620.
Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP):: A spiritual renewal process which brings adult parishioners together in small groups to deepen their relationship with Christ and each other, CRHP begins with a weekend retreat experience. Women—next weekend is September 11-12: call Carrie Miller, 476-4361, or Marita Schneider, 474-7614. Men: call Mike Schmitt, 206-6900, or Tom Hage, 474-4072.
Christmas in July:: Parishioners reach out to people in need by donating items listed on decorations on the “giving trees” set up by this committee in the narthex during July, filling requests from various charities such as St. Louis Soup Kitchen, Central City Catholic Schools, and Aurora Project. Contact Janet Secrest, 474-5604; or Pam Simrell, 297-1099.
Confraternity of the Holy Rosary:: Members pray 15 mysteries of the rosary each week, many of them praying together before Mass. Contact Andy Carr, 475-2408.
Cursillo:: After a weekend retreat, Cursillistas invite others, by example, to experience a deep and long-lasting relationship with Jesus Christ while building and encouraging each other in the Christian walk. Contact Bill and Judy Owens, 474-9071.
Elementary School:: Our fully accredited K-8 school aims to help each child grow in awareness of God, neighbor, and self. By providing meaningful academic and social experiences, the school reinforces the values implanted and fostered by parents. Call 472-1121.
Engaged Couples Day:: Parishioners help engaged couples come to a real sense of the spiritual foundation they will receive in the Sacrament of Marriage as well as a basis for success for their future together. Contact Bill and Judy Owens, 475-9071.
Eucharistic Ministry:: Parishioners serve as Eucharistic Ministers of Communion at Mass. Call Bev Bingle at the Parish House, 472-2288, x227.
Festival Committee:: Help with our annual festival—music, food, rides, great fun! Contact Diana and Mark VanWinkle, 475-2929.
Finance Committee:: Parishioners meet monthly with the Pastor and Business Manager regarding parish/school finances. Contact Mark Meyer, 475-0770.
Fish Fry Committee:: Lent Fridays bring hundreds of hungry folks to our great fish frys. Volunteer, or just show up to eat! Contact Carla Majewski, 472-0041.
Folk Group:: Music Ministers to the 9 o'clock Sunday Mass invite vocalists and instrumentalists to join them. Call Tom Perzynski, 534-3434.
Funeral Consolation Choir:: Parishioners sit in the assembly at funeral Masses and sing - it's a beautiful ministry to comfort the bereaved with the sound of voices lifted in song. Call Evelyn Shordt, 472-4155.
Funeral Luncheons:: This ministry provides a meal for family and friends of the deceased following funerals at Blessed Sacrament. Contact Sherrie Kelly (902-1000) or Sandy Stein (475-6985).
Garden Group:: Diggers and planters beautify the parish grounds. Call Karen Jacobs, 356-0985, or Jerry & Cathy Ehlert, 578-9021.
Holy Name Society:: The men of the parish gather to conduct social activities, provide service to the parish, and raise funds for scholarships. Contact Neil Sullivan, 474-1208.
Ladies' Bridge:: Contact Anita Kelly, 841-0516.
Lectors:: Parishioners proclaim the Word effectively at Mass through the training and resources provided by this group. Contact Pat Scharf, 534-2941.
Liturgy Committee:: Gather to help plan meaningful worship experiences at Mass and other liturgical celebrations, such as Reconciliation Services. Contact Judy Owens, 475-9071.
Marriage Preparation:: Deacon Pat McCabe shepherds engaged couples through the process. Call 471-9052.
Mass Coordinators:: Parishioners set up bread, wine, and other items needed for Mass. Contact Bev Bingle, 472-2288, x227.
Mentoring Couples:: This ministry pairs newlyweds with an established parish couple to provide support and resources during the early months of marriage. Contact Deacon Patrick McCabe, 471-9052.
Music Ministry:: Both the Choir and the Folk Group welcome new singers and musicians to help the assembly participate more fully in the liturgy. Contact Bob Rae, 360-3140, for the Choir and Contemporary Group, and Tom Perzynski, 537-0213, for the Guitar Group.
Parents’ Association:: School parents provide support for the school for teacher supplies, school programs, and special needs through various fundraisers like “Breakfast with Santa” and “Ladies’ Night Out.” Contact Marsha Lewis, 475-4654.
Parish House Hospitality Ministers:: Volunteers staff the front desk weekdays from 9-5, answering phones and the door and routing visitors. Contact Cindi Ruff, 304-6564.
Parish Mission:: We partner with St. Catharine, St. Clement, and Regina Coeli to present a Lenten mission. Contact the Parish House, 472-2288.
Pastoral Council:: Members dedicate themselves to pastoral planning and advancing our parish mission in a prayerful and reflective manner, working in concert with other parish groups to determine and implement pastoral objectives. Contact Dan Solarek, 471-0714.
Prayer Chains:: Our parish has two prayer chains, one linked via telephone and the other via email. For the phone prayer chain, contact Helen O'Neil, 536-7707; for the email prayer chain, contact Debbie Marciniak at dtmarcin@aol.com
Pumpkin Pie Project:: Parishioners bake and donate Thanksgiving pies for St. Paul's Community Center, where 350 people share an annual holiday meal. Call Becky or Vicki Fitts (578-1655) or Kyle Gerhart (247-4823 or 292-1026).
Quilting Group:: Quilters (and kibitzers) gather Tuesdays from 6:45pm to 8:30pm to make quilts for raffling off to benefit the parish. Contact Kathy Bonfiglio, 474-1094.
Religious Education:: Public school students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 meet Sunday evenings for the 5 p.m. Mass, share a light meal, and head off to class with Catechist-Ministers for religious formation. Call 472-2288, x 234 or 227.
Respect Life:: This group promotes a consistent ethic of life, serving families in the ongoing task of protecting and enhancing human life by way of education, pastoral care, and advocacy. Call Joyce Meyer, 474-8023.
Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA):: Adults desiring to find out about Catholicism meet weekly with sponsors and team members for scripture sharing, instruction, and prayer. Contact Gary and Lynn Rashleigh, 885-4240.
St. Louis Soup Kitchen:: Members of Blessed Sacrament volunteer regularly at this outreach to hungry eastsiders. Contact Tom Ulrich, 472-7650.
St. Vincent de Paul Society:: This group assists parishioners and others in the area with utilitiy bills, food, household items, and financial emergencies; members also visit parishioners in hospitals and nursing homes. Contact John Roesner, 476-3963.
School Advisory Council:: Responsible for offering counsel to the pastor and principal on school matters, the SAC reviews and advises on school policies, tuition rates, personnel, and issues of concern within the school. Contact the School Office, 472-1121.
Scouts:: Kids learn life skills and values through teamwork, competition, charity, and service. Contact Troy Estes, 472-2687, or Chuck Drabek, 475-9718 (Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts) and Juliann Buchele, 474-7112 (Girl Scouts and Brownies).
Seniors:: Parishioners meet the third Wednesday, September through May, for dinner and speaker or entertainment. Contact Walter Zale, 841-9263.
Social Justice Commission:: This group organizes activities to educate and advocate for social justice. The current effort centers on environmental justice. Call Tom McDonald, 474-8801.
Ushers:: These liturgical ministers seat parishioners arriving at Mass, take up the collection, and pass out bulletins. Contact Larry Keel, 473-1057.
Vocations:: Interested in serving God through the Church? Contact Bill Noltner, wanoltner@bex.com.
Website:: Contact the site manager by clicking on the webmaster link at the bottom of most pages or call 472-2288, x227.
Welcoming/Evangelization:: These folks welcome new parishioners to Blessed Sacrament, helping to acquaint them with our many venues for spiritual growth, social activities, and service. Contact Cathy Ehlert, 578-9021.
Youth Board:: This group raises and distributes funds for scholarships, sports, and other parish youth programs. It supervises and appoints coordinators of various youth activities, prepares and supplies rules and regulations for the youth programs. Contact Jennifer Hubay, 475-1248.
Youth Group:: Students in grades 7-12 are challenged to grow spiritually and socially by their participation in meetings, events, service projects, and worship. Contact Karen McCarthy, 473-0936.
ZZZZ:: If there’s an activity you would like to see at Blessed Sacrament and it’s not listed here, call Fr. Donnelly, 472-2288, and ask him to help you get it going!

___________________________________________________

Handbook

for

Altar Servers

Blessed Sacrament

Blessed Sacrament Altar Server Instructions

Introduction

Welcome to the ministry of Altar Server at Blessed Sacrament! Your willingness to serve is a blessing to all the people who will come here to worship and praise God. The church is grateful for your generous gift of time and talent.

To be an Altar Server is a special honor and a great privilege in the Catholic Church. As an Altar Server, you can trace your roots to the order of Acolyte, a ministry that once was reserved only for those who were going to be ordained priests! You can look upon being an Altar Server as a special and unique ministry by which you, a young person, can begin your Christian vocation to spread the word and the love of Christ through your actions and words. Even though it is a very important ministry, it is not difficult, and this Handbook will help you with the things that you need to know about in order to fulfill your commitment.

The ministry of Altar Server is open to men and women and to boys and girls grade 5 and above. Altar servers are not ordained, but they are commissioned for service by our Pastor, Fr. Marty Donnelly, and publicly inducted into service.

The main role of the Altar Server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy. The most common liturgy we celebrate is the Mass. Sometimes we celebrate other liturgies like Reconciliation Services, Tenebrae, baptisms, communion services, and also wedding and funeral Masses. Servers perform specific actions and set an example to the assembly by their active participation in the liturgy: by their actions, singing of hymns, responses, looking alert, and keeping the appropriate posture (sitting, standing, kneeling).

Required Basic Knowledge of the Mass

You need to know the principal prayers of the Mass: Gloria, Nicene Creed, Our Father, Lamb of God, and Holy, Holy so you can pray them along with the assembly. Because your role is so public, you are expected to participate in the Mass very actively.

You need to become familiar with the basic outline of the Mass so you may perform your tasks at the proper times. You should learn the use of the liturgical items you will be handling and the purpose of each item. See the end of this Handbook for definitions.

You need to learn to make use of the “tools of the trade” such as matches, candle lighters and tapers, candles, Sacramentary, Lectionary, processional cross, preparation of credence table, and chalices.

Duties—Ordinary Sunday Masses

I. PREPARATION

A. Arrive for your scheduled Mass 15 minutes before the Mass time and sign in. If you do not sign in, you are counted absent.

B. Wear clean shoes, dress shoes or sandals preferred.

C. Select an alb that is long enough to come to the top of your shoes. Remember that your alb is a sacred vestment and should be treated as such. The cinctures hang on hooks at the left side of the alb closet; check the color of the day in the Ordo, or ask the Mass Coordinator.

D. After you’re vested, check with the Mass Coordinator to see if anything needs to be carried to the altar (such as the plastic holder that holds the Book of Gospels, hymnals, handheld microphone), gift table (the bread, wine, water, and money basket), or credence table (such as the Sacramentary, chalices, water dish to wash Father’s hands). If you see something that looks out of its normal place, tell the Mass Coordinator—it may need fixing, or it may be in a special place on purpose, and the Mass Coordinator will know. For example, on some days the lights are left off or candles unlit to fit the theme of the liturgy.

E. Light the altar candles and processional candles 5 minutes before Mass starts. First light the taper in the brass candlelighter that hangs on the side of the bookcase at the sacristy door and use it to light all the other candles. During the Easter Season, make sure the Paschal candle is lit as soon as you arrive; use the brass candlelighter to light the other candles from it.

II. ATTITUDE & POSTURE

A. The role of the Altar Server is to assist the Priest and the whole community in the celebration of the Mass. Posture and attitude are very important.

B. Please keep to your schedule. Everybody needs to rely on you.

C.    Eighth graders who miss no more than three scheduled commitments will be eligible for a spring field trip to a Mud Hens game. Servers who miss more than three times without finding a substitute and/or notifying the parish office will be removed from the server roster. Servers removed from the list may apply for re-admission to service at the altar the following semester by writing a letter of request to Fr. Marty.

D.    Hold your hands together unless you are carrying something or sitting.

E. Stand and sit straight.

F. Pay attention to the priest and the flow of the Mass.

G. Sing along with the assembly.

III. THE MASS

Opening

A. Order of Procession

1    Cross bearer

2.   Thurifer(s)

3.   Holy Water bearer(s)

4.   Candle bearers

5.   Lectors

6. Deacon

7.   Concelebrating priests

8.   Presiding priest

B. As the procession enters the sanctuary, the cross bearer places the cross in its stand to the right of the sanctuary. The candle bearers place their candles next to the credence table and then go to stand in front of their seats.

C. As soon as you get in the sanctuary, the book server picks up the Sacramentary right away and waits with it at the server bench. When the Presider says, "Let us pray", the book server takes it to the Presider, holding it at a 45° angle so that he can read it.

D. During the Easter Season and on other special occasions we have a Sprinkling Rite. If the buckets and brooms are being used instead of the aspergillum, a server goes with Father (and another with the deacon, if one is present) to hold the bucket as the assembly is sprinkled.

Offertory

The Offertory (also called “Preparation of the Altar and Presentation of Gifts”) begins after the General Intercessions (petitions) when everyone in the assembly sits down and the ushers come forward with the collection baskets.

A. Two servers prepare the altar:

1.   Place the Sacramentary on the altar just left of the corporal.

2.   Remove the plastic gospel bookstand from the altar.

3. Place the chalice and cups on the right inner edge of the corporal, and the purificators on the right end of the altar.

B. The crossbearer goes to the back of the church with the cross to lead the offertory procession.

C. The two servers prepare the altar, then stand beside the Presider to receive the gifts.

D. Purification ritual.

1.   Take the water pitcher, bowl, and towel to wash the Presider’s hands as soon as he picks up the chalice and then sets it down on the altar.

2.   Remove the empty wine pitcher and the glass water cruet from the altar and put them on the credence table.

Closing Prayer

During the after-communion hymn, the book server gets the Sacramentary from the credence table and waits with it at the bench, then takes it to the Presider when he says, "Let us pray.” After the closing prayer, put it back on the credence table.

Recessional

After the final blessing, the crossbearer gets the cross, candle bearers get the candles, and all servers line up in the aisle, turn and face the altar, and wait. The order is the reverse of the entrance procession.

When the Presider and deacon bow, servers who are not carrying anything bow along with them. The crossbearer and candlebearers do not bow. All turn and process down the aisle to the sacristy.

Cleaning Up after Mass

Use the candle snuffer to put out the candles. Carry the Sacramentary, Lectionary, and petition binder to the sacristy. Hang up your alb on the right size hanger number, and hang up any others that may have fallen to the floor of the closet.

Substitutes

If you cannot serve the Mass to which you are assigned, you must arrange for your own substitute. Otherwise, you are counted absent.

What Things Are Called: (things you need to know)

Alb or Robe................. The white gown that you will wear just as the priest and deacons do.

Ambo or Lectern

or Pulpit....................... Where the lector stands to read the Scripture readings and the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel.

Aspergillum................. The liturgical instrument used to sprinkle people and objects with holy water. At Blessed Sacrament we have two types: (1) a silver-colored metal wand, kept in the vesting sacristy; (2) two galvanized buckets with brooms, kept in the working sacristy.

Boat.............................. A small container holding incense grains that will be used with the thurible.

Book of Gospels.......... A large red book that contains only the Gospel readings. A deacon or lector places the Book of Gospels on the altar in a plastic book holder during the opening procession.

Chalice......................... A cup that Father will use to consecrate the wine into the Blood of Christ.

Ciborium..................... A chalice with a lid, used to store consecrated hosts in the Tabernacle.

Cincture....................... A rope-like belt made out of cloth worn around your waist.

Corporal...................... A small cloth that sits on top of the altar where Father places the chalice, paten, and flagon. Its purpose is to catch any small crumbs of the Blessed Sacrament that may fall onto the altar.

Credence Table........... The table that has the Sacramentary, chalices, purificators, lavabo bowl, water cruet, and towel.

Cruet............................ A pitcher that holds either water or wine for use during the Mass.

Lavabo......................... The silver-colored bowl and pitcher and the towel used to wash the priest’s hands.

Lectionary................... Book with Scripture passages read at Mass.

Lector........................... Minister who reads the Scriptures at Mass.

Liturgy......................... Literally “the work of the people,” a general word for ritual prayer gatherings like Masses, Communion Services, and Reconciliation Services.

Mass Coordinator...... The volunteer parishioner who sets up for the Mass and coordinates the ministers.

Offertory Table........... The table behind the last pew by the narthex entrance where the gifts are placed.

Ordo............................. A reference book for things like readings for Mass and the color of the day.

Paten or Plate............. A dish or bowl that holds the bread that will be used during Mass.

Pitcher.......................... The glass decanter that holds the wine before it’s poured into the chalices.

Purificators................. The linen towels that are used to clean the chalices during the distribution of the Precious Blood at communion

Sacramentary.............. The large red book from which Father prays during Mass.

Sacristan...................... The person who takes care of the sacred vessels and vestments used at Mass.

Sacristy........................ The portion of the church building where Mass preparations take place. At Blessed Sacrament we have a vesting sacristy (near the baptismal font) and a working sacristy (beside the sanctuary).

Sanctuary.................... The area of the Church that contains the altar and the ambo.

Thurible....................... A metal vessel on a chain for the ceremonial burning of incense. The thurible is also known as a censer.

Thurifer........................ Server(s) who carry the thurible and boat.

Vesting Sacristy.......... Room where the priests, deacons, servers, and lectors meet to vest and prepare for Mass.

Working Sacristy........ Room where the sound system is located; we store incense, candles, decorations, and other items used to prepare for liturgy there.

Thank you for answering God’s call to serve!

cover art by Jimmy Kozak, Blessed Sacrament Class of 2009