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Copyright © 2005 St. Mark Parish 7117 14th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53143 U.S.A. All rights reserved. |
Litugical Ministries
Worship is the central element in Parish life. It is the summit and source of our Christian life. In order for our parish to worship God fully, many people are involved. The following ministries are essential to the spiritual life of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish. Each parishioner is asked to consider involvement in the liturgical life of our parish by serving in one of the following ministries.
Minister of Hospitality
Along with the responsibility of gathering our gifts to God during the Eucharistic Celebration, these ministers have the pleasure and the opportunity to greet and share fellowship with our spiritual family as we enter church for Mass each week.
Eucharistic Minister
At Saturday and Sunday Masses lay people exercise the ministry of Eucharistic Minister of the bread or the cup.
Lector
Parish members who enjoy public speaking assist with community worship by proclaiming the Word of God during Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. This ministry is a sign of God's presence in our world. After attending a training session, Lectors assist the St. Mark spiritual family by studying and practicing their readings, and proclaiming the Word of God at their scheduled Mass.
Altar Servers
Boys and girls from the fifth grade on and all adult men and women may participate in this liturgical ministry by assisting the priest as Altar Servers. Special training sessions are required, and ministry is scheduled on a rotating basis.
Robed Choir
The St. Mark Robed Choir is a traditional, four-part choir and is open to all interested singers, high school through adulthood. Robed Choir members have dedicated themselves to praising God through song during the liturgy and to provide the congregation with a prayerful atmosphere for worship. The Choir sings at Sunday mass and on Holy Days and special masses. A friendly and short audition with the musical director is required to assess your musical ability. Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.
Contemporary Choir
Parishioners of St. Mark who are interested in singing with guitar accompaniment are invited to join the Folk Choir. This group of singers and instrumentalists leads the assembly in praise through contemporary music at the Sunday Masses and the Family Liturgies celebrated at 4:00 P.M. on the first Saturday of the month from October through June. Rehearsals are at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday evenings in the Catacombs
Cantors are a vital part of the overall music ministry as they proclaim the Psalm, and lead the congregation in hymns and sung parts of the mass. Cantors may also provide vocal music for weddings, funerals and special occasions.
Instrumentalist
Parishioners who play a musical instrument are encouraged to make themselves available to the music ministry by contacting the music director. Your talents will be put to use and will be a great addition to the ministry of music.
Support Ministries
The worship ministries listed above are important. However, they are not the only way of serving our worshipping community. The following support ministries are also crucial to our worship of God.
Prayer Network
The Prayer Network recognizes the power of prayer and praise to God. Participants receive petitions for prayer through a telephone chain. These ministers are encouraged to pray, in their own way, for these petitions. This ministry of prayer is appropriate for all St. Mark Parishioners, especially those who are unable to physically participate in other ministries of action.
Sacristan
The sacristans care for the sacred vessels and vestments of our worship and are of vital support to our Liturgy. Sacristans are scheduled on a rotating basis.
Washing and Ironing of Altar Linens
The ongoing needs of washing and ironing sacred linen, as well as the needs of special liturgical events, are part of this important ministry. This ministry is done at home on a rotating basis.
Cleaning Church
To many members of the parish, this is one ministry that is very often overlooked. Volunteers for this ministry enjoy a sense of pride, knowing that the entire parish shares the fruits of their labor.
Liturgical Decorators
The primary responsibilities of these ministers are to maintain the plants in church and decorate the interior of church for liturgical seasons, special feast days and functions. Anyone with interior design skills or interior landscaping experience will be especially helpful. This is a year-round ministry that has approximately four seasonal periods.