The Arts & Environment Ministry helps create a sacred, welcoming atmosphere in our church through thoughtful decoration and seasonal liturgical design. Members care for flowers, banners, and other visual elements that reflect the spirit of the Church’s liturgical seasons. This ministry is perfect for those with a creative eye and a heart for beauty in worship.

Training & Support:

Volunteers are guided by experienced coordinators who provide instruction in liturgical seasons, visual themes, and basic setup. No artistic background is required—just a willingness to serve with care.

Expectations:

• Assist with decorating before major feasts and liturgical seasons

• Help maintain the cleanliness and reverence of the worship space

• Coordinate with other ministries as needed

“Serving at the altar is not just about what you do—it’s about who you’re becoming.” The Altar Server Ministry at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish invites young people who have received their First Holy Communion to grow in deeper love for Jesus through active participation in the Holy Mass.

More than just learning when to carry the cross or light the candles, altar servers are formed to understand the why behind the what—why we kneel, why we process, why we serve. This ministry helps children and teens grow in reverence, responsibility, and appreciation for the sacred liturgy. It’s a way to encounter Christ more closely by assisting at the altar where Heaven and Earth meet.

Formation & Process

New altar servers participate in a special formation process where they will:

• Learn the parts of the Mass and their meaning

• Practice specific altar server roles (processions, setting the altar, assisting the priest and deacon, etc.)

• Grow in prayer and understanding of the Eucharist

• Reflect on the importance of service and community

Training and Support

Training is hands-on and welcoming, led by experienced lay ministers who will guide servers with patience and encouragement. All trainers are Safe Environment–certified through the Diocese and have completed FBI background checks.

Expectations

Altar servers are expected to:

• Arrive on time and dress appropriately

• Serve at weekend and holy day Masses as scheduled

• Attend ongoing formation opportunities throughout the year

• Maintain a spirit of reverence, attentiveness, and prayer while serving

At St. Vincent's Ferrer, we believe that serving at the altar helps our young people grow not only in their knowledge of the Mass, but in their love for it—and for the God who meets us there.

Interested in joining?

We welcome children and teens who feel called to serve. To learn more or to register for training, please contact Jamelle Tiro at [email protected].

This ministry offers compassionate presence to families experiencing the death of a loved one. Members assist with funeral liturgies and provide prayerful, pastoral support during a time of grief, including facilitating funeral vigils and prayer services.

Training & Support:

Volunteers are trained in pastoral sensitivity, funeral liturgy procedures, and appropriate communication. Support is ongoing and rooted in shared prayer.

Expectations:

• Help families plan and prepare for vigils, prayer services, and funeral Masses, and attend as a representative of the parish

• Offer gentle support to grieving families

• Respect privacy and maintain discretion

Adoration ministers commit to spending quiet, uninterrupted time before the Blessed Sacrament. This ministry centers the parish in prayer and allows individuals to deepen their relationship with Christ.

Training & Support:

Introductory materials and spiritual resources are provided. Those new to Adoration are encouraged to begin with shorter time slots and grow into a full hour.

Expectations:

• Commit to a regular weekly Holy Hour or serve as a substitute

• Maintain reverent silence and prayerful posture during Adoration

• Arrive on time and never leave the Blessed Sacrament unattended

The Eucharistic Minister, the priest celebrating mass, is assisted by parishioners ("extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion) who have been specially trained and selected by the Pastor to assist the priest to serve, distribute, and administer the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during Holy Communion.

In order to serve in this ministry, a parishioner must be a practicing Catholic and distinguished in their Christian life, faith, and morals, be at least 18 years of age, should have completed the program of training and formation, should have received the sacraments of initiation, and should demonstrate a deep reverence for and devotion to the Holy Euacharist. Schedules are determined month to month.

Training & Support:

All ministers receive theological and practical training through diocesan and parish programs and are formally commissioned.

Expectations:

• Serve with reverence and punctuality at assigned Masses

• Dress modestly and respectfully

• Maintain a prayerful spirit and readiness to substitute if needed

Hospitality ministers embody the spirit of Christian welcome by greeting parishioners, helping with seating, managing the collection, and ensuring all feel at ease. These ministers are led by a seasoned Liturgical Coordinator and serve as part of a close-knit team; many have served at the same mass and in the same teams for years. 

Training & Support:

Volunteers are trained in basic procedures, emergency response, and principles of radical hospitality. New members are paired with seasoned greeters or ushers.

Expectations:

• Arrive 15–20 minutes before Mass begins

• Greet everyone warmly and attentively

• Stay alert and ready to assist throughout the liturgy

• Oversee the collection of offerings

• Supervise the orderly entrance and exit of the parking lot

Lectors serve the community by proclaiming Scripture during Mass. Through careful preparation and prayer, they bring the living Word of God to life. When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy.
In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to us.. 

Lectors are members of the parish who proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. They may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings.

In order to serve in this ministry, a parishioner must be a practicing Catholic and distinguished in their Christian life, faith, and morals, should have completed the program of training and formation, should have received the sacraments of initiation, and should demonstrate a deep reverence for and devotion to the Word of God.

Training & Support:

Lectors attend workshops focused on liturgical understanding, public speaking, and spiritual preparation. Ongoing resources and lector workbooks are provided.

Expectations:

• Read with clarity, reverence, and expression

• Prepare readings prayerfully in advance

• Arrive early and check in with the Mass sacristan

Music and singing are integral parts of any liturgical celebration. Through instrumental music and sung prayer, the community expresses more profoundly its deepest faith, prayers and longings. Our skilled musicians, cantors and different choral groups are tasked primarily to engage and support the assembly’s singing at Mass. Other times, they evoke from us prayers that are beyond words. The primary instrument used is the human voice, supported by the piano or electronic keyboard, to highlight in sung prayer the text of the scriptures and prayers of the day. Some liturgies have the added instrumentation of violin, clarinet, flute, guitars and percussions. Some seasons we add another layer of texture by using hand bells. Our music ministers lead the congregation in sung prayer, lifting hearts and minds to God. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or support behind the scenes, this ministry calls for commitment, collaboration, and a joyful spirit of praise.

The different choral groups in the parish provide leadership to inspire active and full singing participation of the assembly for the different Masses. We have choral groups of various ages and musical styles: the youth choir with its energy and exuberance that move your body to praise; the charismatic choir that awakens the spirit to gaze up in worship; the adult choir with its polished SATB harmonies and polyphonies, singing a wide variety of songs from chants to hymnody to contemporary; Tongan Choir at the Mission Chapel of St. Louis Bertrand; and the two Spanish Choirs that minister at the Spanish Masses.

From time to time, any of these choirs may also sing for funerals, weddings, sacramental celebrations and special feast days. 

Training & Support:

Rehearsals are held regularly. Choir members and musicians receive guidance in both musical and liturgical elements. No formal experience is necessary—just a heart for praise.

Expectations:

• Attend rehearsals and be available for scheduled Masses

• Foster collaboration and attentiveness in ensemble settings

• Approach music as prayer, not performance

Inspired by St. Martha, this ministry cares for the linens, vessels, and overall cleanliness of the church and sacristy. Their behind-the-scenes service is rooted in quiet devotion.

Training & Support:

Volunteers receive hands-on training in laundering altar linens, tidying spaces, and caring for vessels with reverence.

Expectations:

• Wash and prepare linens on a rotating schedule

• Keep the sacristy orderly and clean

• Serve with humility and consistency

Named after the patron saint of domestic workers, St. Zita’s Sons care for the physical needs of the parish—offering maintenance, setup, and small repairs as needed.

Training & Support:

Support is task-specific and often hands-on. Volunteers may work solo or in teams depending on the project.

Expectations:

• Be available for regular maintenance or setup tasks

• Treat parish property with care and respect

• Serve with discretion and reliability

Sacristans prepare all that is needed for the celebration of the Mass, including sacred vessels, linens, and books. Their quiet, faithful service allows the liturgy to unfold smoothly and reverently. At St. Vincent Ferrer, sacristans also open and close the church for each Mass, prayer service, and time of Adoration. They are delegated by the pastor to serve as the primary assistants to our clergy, while also supporting other lay ministers with helpfulness, patience, and humility. During Mass, sacristans often fulfill the role of adult altar server and help coordinate the children and youth serving at the altar.

Because sacristans take on trusted responsibilities—including access to the church, preparation of sacred elements, and confidential assistance to the presiding priest—this role is by invitation only. However, we are always discerning new sacristans from among those who feel genuinely called to support the heart of parish worship.

More than a behind-the-scenes role, sacristans help shape the prayerful tone of our liturgy and foster our community’s love for the Mass. We seek people who are welcoming, understanding, compassionate, patient, and team-oriented—those who serve with joy, reverence, and a spirit of hospitality.

Training & Support:

New sacristans are trained one-on-one by experienced volunteers, covering liturgical setup, sacred item care, collaboration with clergy, and coordination with altar servers and other ministers. Due to the nature of the role, formation is gradual, supportive, and attentive to detail.

Expectations:

• Arrive very early-sometimes up to two hours before the scheduled start time-and stay until all items are properly stored and the church is secured

• Follow detailed checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked

• Handle all sacred items with reverence, respect, and care

• Support clergy and fellow ministers with a calm, friendly, and dependable presence

• Model prayerfulness and service for all who participate in the liturgy

Liturgical Coordinators are the team captains of each liturgy—leaders, collaborators, and steady hands behind the scenes. They coordinate all lay ministers for Masses and prayer services, ensuring that everyone is present, prepared, and supported in their role. Working closely with the sacristan and clergy, Liturgical Coordinators help make sure that every aspect of the liturgy flows smoothly—from hospitality and proclamation to the distribution of Holy Communion. They greet each minister with warmth and clarity, offer gentle reminders when needed, and step in with grace when adjustments must be made.

Liturgical Coordinators also serve as members of the Liturgical Council, a leadership body that meets, plans, and prepares long before each holy season and major feast. They help guide the prayer life of the parish through thoughtful planning, prayerful collaboration, and hands-on leadership. This ministry calls for a unique blend of gifts: joyful leadership, compassionate presence, and sharp attention to detail. Liturgical Coordinators are friendly, calm under pressure, and deeply committed to fostering a welcoming, prayerful experience for the whole assembly.

Because Liturgical Coordinators carry a leadership role that requires discretion, liturgical knowledge, and close collaboration with clergy and other ministers, this ministry is by invitation only. Coordinators are entrusted to represent the parish and pastor at each liturgy, making real-time decisions with pastoral sensitivity and liturgical care. While not an open sign-up role, parishioners who feel called to this ministry are warmly encouraged to express their interest. Potential coordinators may be invited into a period of discernment, training, and mentorship as needs arise. We are always listening for the Spirit’s prompting and eager to raise up new leaders who serve with reverence, hospitality, and love. Most of our Liturgical Coordinators have faithfully served in several other ministries for years, growing in their understanding of each role and learning to support others with compassion, attentiveness, and care.

New coordinators receive hands-on formation with experienced leaders, learning how to communicate with various ministry teams, follow liturgical checklists, troubleshoot in real time, and participate in council planning. Ongoing support is offered through the liturgy committee and pastoral staff.

Expectations:

• Arrive early to greet and check in with all scheduled lay ministers

• Confirm that each liturgical role is filled and properly prepared

• Coordinate with the sacristan and clergy before Mass or prayer services

• Serve as an active member of the Liturgical Council

• Participate in seasonal liturgy planning and rehearsals

• Lead by example—with humility, hospitality, and love