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We Are Many Parts,
we are all one body, and the gifts we have we are given to share. May the Spirit
of love make us one indeed; one, the love that we share, one, our hope in
despair, one, the cross that we bear.
God of all, we look to you, we would be your servants
true, let us be your love to all the world.
~ Marty Haugen & 1 Corinthians 12,13 - from his hymn
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Liturgical Ministry
Parishioners are called in a variety of ways to be
lay ministers within the liturgy. Some are called to be:
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Ministers of the
Eucharist, distributing communion at mass and
Companion Servers
who take communion to the sick and shut-in.
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Some
are Ministers of
the Word (lectors) and proclaim the Scriptures to the
community at mass.
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Some
are called to be
Ministers of Hospitality (ushers) and
greet people at the door and make them feel welcome.
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Some
enrich our liturgies as
Ministers of Music.
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Still
others serve as Altar
Servers.
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Some
prepare the
Liturgy of the Word for Children.
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And
finally, there are those who share their creative gifts helping with
Art and Environment.
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 On the page below you will find a list of the
various ministries in our parish. If you feel you have a calling to serve in any
of these capacities, please contact the ministry coordinator for that ministry.
Sign-up forms for many of the ministries are found
in the mailboxes in the Stained Glass Room at the back of the church or you may
sign up using the form below. It is recommended that parishioners who wish to
serve in a liturgical ministry choose not more than one.
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There is another ministry (non-liturgical) that
plays an important role in our community. The
Ministry of Consolation
and Hope has their own web page here. |
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I would like
more information on, or would like to join the following ministry.
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Liturgy Committee
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The Parish Liturgy Committee is composed of the coordinators of
all liturgical ministries in the parish as well as members of the pastoral team.
It meets on a regular basis to reflect on the liturgical needs of the community.
The committee also prepares training sessions for ministers and coordinates
liturgical ministry. |
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Music Ministry
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music ministry
“The one who sings, prays twice,” says St. Augustine. The aim of
the music ministry at St. John’s is to lead the assembly in song.
Sally Haberer
is the organist for the 5 PM Mass. Cantors for the 5 PM Mass rotate between most
of the parish cantors. The Sunday masses are led by David
Jafelice and a number of cantors and other musicians.
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Parish Choir
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The choir is that portion of the
assembly that is trained and rehearsed for the primary task of leading the sung
prayer and praise of the people. The choir is made up of volunteers from the
parish. Choristers view their choir membership as stewardship of their talents
and time.
We sing our hymns and mass parts in unison, in parts, and with descants. Now and
then we learn anthems to be sung on their own. The choir rehearses weekly to
gain a level of artistic excellence that can provide the whole assembly with a
means to encounter God in its worship. We are all amateurs but we do the best we
can for the glory of God and for the joy of singing.
 St.
John's Choir sings at the 10:00 AM mass on Sunday
mornings. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings in the Church from 7:30 PM -
9:00 PM and Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM.
Closer to Christmas & Easter we rehearse till 9:30.
Anyone who can carry a tune and loves to sing
can join the choir; ability to read music is not necessary. Please see David our
choir director and organist after any Sunday mass or you may
e-mail him here.
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Music Group
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The 12 noon mass is led by a contemporary music ensemble and
cantor. The band consists of guitar, bass guitar, drums,
flute and
piano. The music sung at this mass has a more contemporary flavour.
 The
band is looking for a flute player and someone who can play bass. Other
instruments are welcome as well such as oboe, recorder,
and
trumpet. Get the word out!
See David after mass if you are interested in
trying out for the band. Come and be part of our "making a joyful noise".
Have a look at our poster. Click on the picture
thumbnail.
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Cantors |
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 A cantor is a member of the worshiping community whose liturgical
ministry is to lead the assembly in prayer, song, and response to the Word. The cantor proclaims the sung
Word of God. The cantor primarily engages the assembly and invites them to sing
praise.
Those over 18 years, who have a pleasant singing voice and have some musical
background are invited to come forward to share their talents. Cantor training
is provided. For more information please contact David Jafelice.
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Ministry of the Word
(Lectors) |
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 Ministers of the Word proclaim the Word of God to
the parish family at Sunday and weekday liturgies. Anyone in Grade 8 or older
who has a gift for proclaiming the Word is invited to join this ministry.
Training and regular workshops are provided and ministers are commissioned and
blessed each year.
A superb resource for lectors is:
http://www.lectorprep.org/ It links you to the US lectionary but also
gives excellent historical and background information for the readings.
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Liturgy of the Word
for Children
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 Because we believe that the Word of God is a very
real place of encounter with our God, we think it is imperative that everyone is
able to hear it at their own level. Since young children are often not able to
understand the words of Scripture as written in the regular lectionary, we offer
a Liturgy of the Word for Children.
Following the entrance procession, children are
invited to join one of our liturgists at the front of the church. They process
to the gathering room where they pray and sing the introductory rites of the
mass, listen to and reflect upon the Gospel at their own level and offer prayers
of intercessions to God.
The children return to the assembly at the
Preparation of the Gifts. Any children over the age of four years are welcome to
attend. We aim to have a liturgy of the word for children at every mass
providing there are ministers available.
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Leaders |
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 Ministers of the Word for Children lead the
children in prayer, song and reflection. Both preliminary and on-going training
and support are provided for all who are called to this ministry.
Mary Antonio, co-ordinator.
(We also offer Sunday School classes
for children in Public Schools - information
HERE
Feb. 4, 2010 - Christine Way Skinner has created a list of Internet
Resources for Ministers of Children's Liturgy of the Word.
You can
download this PDF resource from
Christine's Web Picks Page HERE
The PDF link is at the bottom of the "For
Parents Teachers and Catechists" section. |
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Eucharistic Ministry |
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Eucharistic Ministers are those who have a strong
sense of Christ's presence in the gift of the Eucharist and in the church. They
are called to assist the priests in the ministering of communion during the
liturgy. Training and workshops are provided on a regular basis and ministers
are commissioned and blessed each year. |
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Ministry of Hospitality
(Ushers) |
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Ministers of Hospitality ensure that our Christian
community is a place of welcome and acceptance. Ministers are responsible for
helping create an atmosphere of hospitality, looking out for the comfort and
safety of the assembly, and taking up the offering. As part of our commitment to
making St. John's a welcoming community, we offer coffee, juice and doughnuts in the
Gathering Room after the 8:30 am mass on Sundays.
Currently, additional ministers are required at the
12:00 PM Mass Sundays. If you attend this mass and can give some of your time to
this ministry please call the office or speak to Fr. Bob or Fr. Miro. |
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Altar Service
(Acolytes) |
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 Altar Servers (also called acolytes) assist the
presider at mass. Children over the age of seven are invited to become altar
servers. A few weeks of training are provided a couple of times during the year
to prepare children for this ministry. |
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Art and Environment
Committee |
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The art and environment committee ensures that the
church and church grounds are beautiful and suitably decorated for liturgical
seasons and feasts. This committee includes gardeners, florists, artists and
decorators. |
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Companion Servers of
St. John Chrysostom
(Ministry of Visitations) |
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 The Companions are a lay pastoral visiting team
which provides companionship and sacramental comfort to those who are ill in the
hospital, in nursing homes and in private homes. Training and on-going support
are provided for all involved in this ministry.
This ministry at St. John's was founded by Deacon
Frank McLean as the Ministry of Visitations and Companion Servers. It covers all
visits to Nursing Homes, Senior Retirement Residences, Hospitals and visits to
Shut-ins in Private Homes - giving them spiritual care and Holy Communion.
Father Miro celebrates Mass and anoints each
Catholic in each facility three times a year supported by Ministers of
Visitations. Ministers hold Communion Services at each Nursing Home or Residence
each month, some weekly. The Ministers of Visitations arrange and organize the
Healing Mass held in St. John Chrysostom Church in May each year, where every
Residence in Newmarket is asked to participate.
Each week Ministers of Visitations visit all
Nursing Homes, bringing them Holy Communion and visiting with them. A team of 24
Ministers cover South Lake Regional Health Centre - 4 visit patients on
Wednesdays, 4 on Fridays and 4 on Sundays - covering the Hospital - on a two
week rotation. Visits to Shut-ins in Private Homes - at present 22 visits - with 13
Ministers of Visitations.
A Steering (or Core) Committee for the Ministry
- Ken Burke, Frank Mellon, Joan Mellon, Catherine McLean, Sandra Plaus and Linda
Shackleton. General Meetings held in January - Steering Committee Meetings, held
3 times a year.
Please call the office if you would like to join
our visiting team.
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