Liturgical Ministries
Quick Links:
- Altar Servers
- Altar Society
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Greeters
- Lectors
- Liturgy Committee
- Music Ministry
- Prayer Line
- Ushers
Altar Servers
Assist priests and deacons on the altar at Masses. Boys and girls 10 years or older who have received First Holy Communion are eligible. CONTACT: Michele Einolf - 410-792-2075.
Altar Society
The Altar Society is part of the ministry of liturgy at St. Nicholas Church. Volunteers ensure that the interior of the church is presentable and decorated appropriately, particularly in the altar and sanctuary area. The Altar Society members are responsible for maintaining, cleaning, washing and ironing, and repairing the altar linens used at the Masses, the priests’ vestments and the altar servers’ robes, as appropriate. They are also responsible for cleaning the globes on the candlesticks near the altar; for cleaning and filling the holy water fonts; for arranging or procuring flower arrangements for the altar for special church occasions and holy days; for handling memorial donations for flowers at Christmas and Easter; and for decorating the church at Christmas and Easter.
The Altar Society meets on the first Thursday of the month when meetings are scheduled, usually in October, November, February, March or April, and May. In December and during the month Easter falls in, the members decorate the church with poinsettias and Easter flowers respectively. Scheduled Altar Society meetings are listed in the church bulletin before the meeting.
Each Altar Society member has two monthly altar duty assignments from September through June. Two members are on duty each month and they can work separately or as a team. In addition, during the summer months of July and August, each member individually takes a week of altar duty. Altar Society officers are elected each May. Each June, the members enjoy an outing together, usually a Sunday brunch.
There are no special skills required, although it helps to like to iron. The most important requirement is that the volunteer has a desire to keep the altar beautiful for God, our services and parishioners. Interested parishioners may inquire or join any time and would be most welcome. Please contact the Altar Society president, Patricia Farmer, 301-776-4645, or send email.
An adjunct to the Altar Society is the watering and feeding of the plants in the church. This duty is the responsibility of Altar Society member, Sharon Tredway, and her husband, Joe Tredway. Their contact information is 301-490-6027 or send email.
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers
The term Eucharistic Minister is used to denote someone who assists the priest in administering the bread and wine. A further role of the Eucharistic Minister is for them to administer to the sick in hospitals. Willingness to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, reflects not only response to your Baptismal call to serve the people of God, but a commitment to Christ as you share in the preaching, teaching and leading aspects of the church. You offer the Eucharist, recognize the Body of Christ in those to whom you offer Eucharist and ultimately you act as the Body of Christ by fully participating in the life of the parish and the wider community. Your willingness to commit to a monthly schedule, to prepare properly for your service and to arrive on time dressed appropriately for your assigned Mass, further reflects that commitment. Once trained and commissioned in this ministry, you will be issued an identifying Ministry Cross. Wear this Cross humbly for it signifies that you have accepted the awesome privilege of assisting in the distribution of Holy Eucharist!
If you are interested in becoming an EEM, please contact Brinda Albert at 301-758-3538 or send email.
Greeters
Stand at the doors and welcome parishioners at the beginning of weekend liturgies, making sure each has a hymnal and a smile. Contact person is Praxi Belandres - 301-937-2412.
Lectors
The mission of the lector is to enter into a deeper relationship with God by taking on the responsibility and privilege of bringing the printed word to life. When we accept that responsibility, we take on the same role as the profits of old and that is to give the word of God flesh and make it a living and dynamic presence, enabling God's word to acheive the purpose for which it was sent, that is salvation. The duty of the lector is to prepare and proclaim God's word to the assembled faith community, have a knowledge of the lectionary and be able to use it with ease and be willing to engage in ongoing formation for more effect service.
The "word" is a collection of readings God has left us throughtout our history for guidance, especially guidance for a better understanding of Him and His Son Jesus. The lector must become a prophet, one who speaks for God, so that when Holy scripture is read , it is proclaimed in such a way that the assembled faith community is assured that God is speaking to His people and that Christ is still proclaiming His Gospel. Proclaimers who reconize the power and responsiility entrusted to them will not take this task lightly.
CONTACT: Jim Donohue - 301-490-5621 or Oliver Wilford 240-294-4278 or send email.
Liturgy Committee
Group of Ministry representatives who plan for special liturgical times of the year, such as Christmas and Holy Week. Contact persons for the Liturgy Committee are Marion Gould-301-490- 5116 and Hope Benson - 301-725-9622 or send email.
Music Ministry
Contact for Music Ministry is Stu Knazik - 301-213-3031 or send email.
Traditional Choir
The Choir practices on Thursday nights, starting at 7:30PM, in the church.
Children's Choir
The Children's Choir is open to any child K- 6th grade. The children lead music at the 10:00 Mass on the fourth Sunday of the month from September through May. They also lead music at the 5:00PM Children's Liturgy on Christmas Eve and at 10:00 Easter Sunday. On Easter the younger children join with the Contemporary Choir. Choir practice for the Children's Choir is on Thursday's from 7-8 pm. Occasionally the schedule will change because of holidays or special occasions. Children are welcome to join at any time. You can sign up by showing up for practice and giving us your name, or send email.
Contemporary Choir
If you are interested in sharing the ministry of Music with the Contemporary Choir, please come to the Music Room at St. Nick's any Saturday at 4:00PM. The St. Nicholas Contemporary Choir is currently ministering at the 5:00PM Mass on Saturdays. They practice from 4:00 - 5:00PM on Saturday before Mass. All new members are welcome!
Guitar and Percussion Group
We practice each Thursday evening at 7:30pm at the home of one of the members of the group. In addition to preparing the music for the coming Sunday's Liturgy, we use this time to pray together, get to know one another, and support one another -- both in this ministry and in our individual lives. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of this ministry. Membership in this group however, is NOT reserved for only a select few. We welcome anyone interested in helping praise the Lord through song. All that is necessary is a willingness to attend practice each Tuesday and Mass at 10:00am each Sunday.
Gospel Choir
We rehearse each Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30. All are welcome. We sing at the 8AM Mass on the 4th and 5th Sunday's of the month. For more information please contact Sharon Campbell (240) 755-2733 or Stefan Abresch (410) 474-2996.
Prayer Line
When a request for prayer is received, members are called. Contact Theresa Stewart - 301-498-3020.
Ushers
Help seat parishioners, direct parents to Cry Room, assist those bringing up the Offer- tory gifts, ensure the orderly flow of communicants and distribute bulletins at doors after Mass. Contact Kenneth King - 301-317-6596.