An Altar Server serves our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at His Holy Altar, especially regarding His Presence - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – in the Eucharist. 

The primary goal of the Altar Server is to serve God out of love: a love we continually strive to perfect. Growing in Love with our Eucharistic Lord enables us to grow in love for our neighbor. To serve reverently and devoutly in love for Our Lord requires a humble and contrite heart. To serve at the Holy Altar of the Lord is a great honor and privilege.

1. Family to be Registered Parishioners
2. Received Sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation
3. Attend training and future formation sessions
4. Commit to serving at least one Mass per month

1. Adult Altar Servers (Men)
2. Cassock and Surplice Washers: This would be done on a rotating schedule about once or twice per month, depending on the number of volunteers.

Volunteer

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist in ministering Christ's body and blood to the People of God.

Parishioners are needed to administer the Eucharist at all Masses including daily Mass, weekend Masses, Holy Day Masses, and special Masses. The schedule is flexible.  Training leading to certification is required and provided.  Formation meetings are held for the purpose of ongoing training and scheduling.

For requirements and more information about becoming a Eucharistic Minister, please send an email to:  [email protected].

EMHC Certification Policy for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

1. Membership in parish one year (at pastor’s discretion but encouraged from point of view of fidelity to the community one wishes to serve).
2. Men or women who are 16 years of age or older, acknowledged by peers and pastor to be an active Catholic in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Sacramental reception: Must have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church.
4. Names to be submitted to the Office of Worship – the list will be acknowledged by the Office of Worship and returned to the parish.
5. All the faithful, especially those who will serve as extra ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, should be properly catechized on the following:
   • The ecclesial nature of the Eucharist as the common possession of the whole Church;
   • The Eucharist as the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice, his death and resurrection, and as the sacred Banquet;
   • The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic elements, whole and entire, in each element of bread and wine (the doctrine of concomitance);
   • The kinds of reverence due at all times to the sacrament, whether within the Eucharistic liturgy or outside the celebration;
   • The role that ordinary and, if necessary, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are assigned in the Eucharistic assembly.”
6. “Hands-on” training, including the importance of fulfilling commitment as scheduled.
7. Recommended: Six hours of on-going formation, yearly.
8. Diocesan Safe Environment Training – with annual renewal

Published by the Office of Worship with the approval of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, April 2006.

  “I want to encourage everyone to visit—if possible, everyday—especially amid life’s difficulties, the Blessed Sacrament of the infinite love of Christ and His mercy, preserved in churches, and often abandoned, to speak filially with Him, to listen to Him in silence, and to peacefully entrust yourself to Him.”

Adoration Sign- Ups

Caring for the sick and the dying is a very important part of the love we share and show one another as a community, and in the way we value life as Christians. In this, we take example first and foremost in the life and ministry of Jesus, who healed many, and always took time to visit the sick and the dying.

Our Eucharistic Ministers of Care bring Holy Communion to those who are unable to join the community at Mass, either temporarily or for an extended period. Lay ministers visit homes, hospitals, and nursing homes, uniting the homebound to the other members of the parish through the body of Christ.

Being a Eucharistic Minister of Care requires a minimum of time, usually two to three hours a week. With the growth of our Parish, there is a much greater need for ministers to serve the nursing homes and our Parishioners who are homebound. Please consider joining us in this important and rewarding ministry.

This is a very rewarding Ministry and the people we visit are so grateful! Our ministers have often said that they receive so much more than they give. Training is required for all Eucharistic Ministers of Care and new Ministers must have completed all 3 parts to be certified. Certification is then good for 3 years.

Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Recipients of the Anointing of the Sick

• The Letter of James states that the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them. Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament.
• The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then again falls ill or if during the same illness the person's conditions becomes more serious.
• A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery.
• Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present.
• Sick children may be anointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by this sacrament.

Opportunities at St. Andrew the Apostle for the Anointing of the Sick

• Immediately following the weekly Friday morning Mass. 
• At least once a year a special Mass is held, usually on a Saturday. Anointing of the Sick takes place during the Mass.
• Home visits: special requests can be made by calling the parish office. 
• Hospital visits: requests can be made by calling the parish office
• 480-899-1990.

Lectors proclaim God's word at each liturgy when they read Scripture from the Old and New Testaments.
Lectors also welcome the congregation and may lead the prayers of the faithful. In addition to the weekend Masses, lectors are also scheduled for seasonal and Holy Day Masses, daily Masses and other faith-related liturgies.  Formation meetings are held for the purpose of ongoing training and scheduling. Certification training leading to certification is required and provided.

Responsibilities of the Position

• Proclaim the Word of God as scheduled at liturgical celebrations.
• Spend adequate time to prepare for assignments.
• Use a delivery style that is audible, uses good diction with a controlled pace that connects with the Congregation.
• Attend Lector Ministry meetings. (Four annually)
• Engage in faith formation as required by Diocesan & parish policy for those in ministry (6 hours per year).
• Complete lector ministry practical training prior to commissioning (6 hours).
• Share your talents & skills. Serve when requested.
  • Scheduling
  • Ministry Fair
  • Phone contact
  • Training/mentoring
• Know and follow procedures.
• Meet all scheduled commitments. If you encounter a conflict arrange for a substitute and notify one of the Ministry co-chairs.
• Adhere to the dress code as defined in the Lector manual.
• Diocesan Safe Environment Training – with annual renewal

Qualifications

• Comfortable addressing large audiences.
• Possess oratory skills.
• Commitment to sharing skills with the Faith Community.
• Commitment to conformance with the responsibilities outlined in this document.

Volunteer

Children have a powerful role to play in our parish because they are the leaders of today at their different levels, and the leaders of tomorrow as they grow to be committed Catholics. In an atmosphere of welcoming, caring and sharing, this natural extension to the Lector Ministry seeks to provide children a safe, quiet, joyful and religious environment where the children (2nd to 8th grade) of St. Andrew the Apostle establish a relationship with God and can be great proclaimers of the Word of God. Children Lectors proclaim God’s word at each liturgy when they read Scripture from the Old and New Testaments. Lectors also welcome the congregation and may lead the prayers of the faithful.

Responsibilities of the Position

• Proclaim the Word of God as scheduled at liturgical celebrations.
• Spend adequate time to prepare for assignments.
• Use a delivery style that is audible, uses good diction with a controlled pace that connects with the Congregation.
• Complete lector ministry practical training.
• Know and follow procedures.
• Meet all scheduled commitments. If you child encounters a conflict arrange for a substitute and notify one of the Ministry co-chairs.
• Adhere to the dress code as defined in the Lector manual.
• Diocesan Safe Environment Training – with annual renewal

Qualifications

• Comfortable addressing large audiences.
• Possess oratory skills.
• Commitment to sharing skills with the Faith Community.
• Commitment to conformance with the responsibilities outlined in this document.

Ministers of Hospitality are the first of Christ's faces to greet God's people at community worship. Ministers of Hospitality serve as ushers and extend hospitality to the faith community.

Ministers of Hospitality are needed at all Masses, especially during the busiest Liturgical Seasons of the year: Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.  This page has been prepared for you special men, women, and youth of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church who want to build up the Body of Christ by serving in the Ministry of Hospitality as an Usher. We shall strive as a community to serve the needs of God's people, gain a richer understanding of the Gospel Message, and increase the vitality and holiness of the church. We shall enhance the spirit of welcome and efficient administration of services at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church.

The Hospitality Ministry of St. Andrew the Apostle proudly serves our growing parish community by:

Greeting Parishioners:

An Usher's Prayer

Lord, in your love you gather your people this day, help me to serve them in a Christ like manner, even as your son Jesus served those who gathered about him. Make me prayerful, patient, helpful and understanding, and may I radiate the joy that faith brings as I serve their needs. Give me your strength to support my fellow ministers. May all who assemble to celebrate our common faith in the risen savior be glad of heart for being here and for having encountered your son in one another, in our priest, at the tables of the book and the bread, and through the ministry of ushers like me.  I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Gregory F. Smith, O. Carm

Our Video Projection Ministry helps with projection of song lyrics and video during our weekend, Wednesday Evening, Holy Days, Wedding Masses in addition to other liturgical and special parish events.

This ministry uses advanced technology in exciting ways to support the mission of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic computer skills
• iMac or ProPresenter experience a plus!

• Saturday: 5:00pm
• Sunday: 7:00am
• Sunday: 9:00am
• Sunday: 11:00am
• Sunday: 2:00pm

Volunteer

The goal of the Worship Environment Ministry is to create a setting conducive to a meaningful worship. We decorate the church environment for ceremony and season. According to Art and Environment in the Church, this ministry is to oversee all aspects of ceremony. This includes altar linens, vestments, vessels, candles, etc., keeping things clean, in working order, and ready for use; also to be able to supply anything that may be needed.

Don’t worry if you haven’t helped with the Worship Environment ministry before, training is provided!

Responsibilities

1. Attend necessary meetings and planning sessions to determine individual and group job responsibilities.
2. Be available to help with major seasonal decorating changes. These include Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
3. Be available to help with weekly duties including banners, watering of plants, changing altar linens, upkeep of cleaning linens, vestments and Sacristy supplies.

Requirements

• Appreciation for the Liturgical Space.
• Creative Imagination.
• Willingness to help.
• Availability

Skills or Interests

• Sewing
• Painting
• Floral Arranging
• Interior decorating
• Woodworking
• Familiar With Tools
• Comfortable On A Ladder
• Just Willing To Help
• Any Special Talent

The music ministry of St. Andrew the Apostle strives to provide musical leadership which fosters "full, conscious and active participation" of the assembly, which assists the assembly to "express the gift of faith within them", and which "nourishes and strengthens their interior commitment of faith."

Responsibilites

• All singers and instrumentalists must attend at least 75% of rehearsals and liturgies.
• All singers and instrumentalists must attend the Diocesan Safe Environment Class.
• All singers and instrumentalists are highly encouraged to attend Adult Formation Classes at St. Andrew the Apostle.
• When leaving the music ministry, all singers and instrumentalists are required to return all music, music books, etc. that have been loaned to them by St. Andrew the Apostle.

Saturday 5:00PM Ensemble

Sunday 9:00AM Choir

Sunday 11:00AM Choir

Sunday 2:00PM Band

Children's Choir

The sound ministry of St. Andrew the Apostle strives to support the sung and spoken word of God. This leadership, in turn, fosters full, conscious and active participation of the assembly, which assists the assembly to express the gift of faith within the mass, and which nourishes and strengthens their interior commitment of faith.

Responsibilities

• Must be trained under senior sound technician until deemed competent. Training consists of 3-6 months of on-the-job learning, depending on aptitude/experience.
• Must attend Diocesan Called to Protect Class.
• Highly encouraged to attend Formation classes at St. Andrew the Apostle.
• Sets up microphones, etc. for all singers and instrumentalists.
• Runs the mixing board during liturgies.