Liturgy and Music

"The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows." (Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)

 

The Eucharist is at the center of our lives as Catholics. Each Sunday, we gather as the People of God to worship and to be nourished by Word and Sacrament. This is where the Church becomes the Church! It is the source and summit of our lives as Christians. Thus, liturgical and music ministries are an indispensable part of our parish life and are an important way for parishioners to serve God and neighbor.

Many volunteers are needed each and every week so that our liturgies may fulfill their true purpose, which is the glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful. We need your help! For more information or to get involved in any of these important ministries, please contact Charlotte Mariasy, our Director of Liturgy and Music, at the parish office.

Liturgical Ministries

"The faithful, moreover, should not refuse to serve the People of God in gladness whenever they are asked to perform some particular service or function in the celebration." (General Instruction of the Roman Missal)


LECTORS

Lectors are tasked with proclaiming the Word of God at each of our Masses on the weekends and during the week. Lectors are provided with training and workbooks which assist them in preparing for the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures. Lectors should have a good speaking voice and be comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. Two lectors serve at each Mass. Saint Rose requires (10) lectors each weekend, (2) lectors each weekday, and (1) lector for the 8 am 1st Saturday of the month Mass. This ministry is open to Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and are at least 16 years old.

ALTAR SERVERS

Altar servers are an integral part the celebration of Holy Mass at Saint Rose. They minister at the liturgy by leading processions with the crucifix and candles and by assisting the Priest and Deacon throughout the Mass. Yearly training is provided to our servers so that our young parishioners and fulfill the important liturgical responsibilities entrusted to them. Three altar servers minister at each Sunday Mass. 15 Servers are needed each weekend for Sunday Mass. This ministry is open to responsible girls and boys in grades 4-8 and high school students in grades 9-12.

Adult Servers are also needed to assist at weekday Masses and for Funerals. This ministry is open to all adults.

USHERS

Ushers are the first ministers that our congregants see each weekend. They are responsible for greeting and seating parishioners and guests, answering questions about our facility and our parish, maintaining an orderly and reverent atmosphere, collecting the offerings, distributing bulletins, and preparing the church for the next liturgy. Four ushers are required for each Sunday Mass at Saint Rose, and so each weekend requires the ministry of 20 ushers. This ministry is open to everyone.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) are entrusted with the care and distribution of the Holy Eucharist.  EMHCs assist the priest and deacon with the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. EMHCs take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound, as well as provide Communion Services at area nursing homes and care facilities as their time allows. Three EMHCs assist at each Saturday and Sunday Mass at Saint Rose, so fifteen Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are required each weekend. In addition, Extraordinary Ministers are needed to take Holy Communion to those who are homebound and unable to come to Mass.

Given the important role that these Extraordinary ministers play in the care for and distribution of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Church teaches that these ministers must be "examples of Christian living in faith and conduct" and must "strive to grow in holiness through this sacrament of love and unity" (Commissioning Prayer for EMHCs). This ministry is open to Catholics, in good standing, who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist; who attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation, only missing for serious reasons (i.e. illness); who, if married, are in a marriage which is recognized as valid by the Catholic Church (please ask one of the priests if you have a question about this requirement). Regular training and ongoing formation are required and provided for this ministry.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS

Eucharistic Ministry Team Leaders (EMTLs) are responsible for preparing the bread, wine, and sacred vessels needed before each Saturday and Sunday Mass, and for the proper care and clean-up of the same vessels after each liturgy. EMTLs also coordinate the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for each of the Masses. One EMTL is required for each Saturday and Sunday Mass. We require (5) EMTLs each weekend, (1) for each Mass.  EMTLs are encouraged to exercise this ministry at weekday Masses as well, as their schedule permits.  This ministry is open to all trained extraordinary Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

SACRISTANS

Sacristans are charged with maintaining the sacristy and sanctuary at the Church, especially by cleaning these areas on a weekly basis. This ministry is open to everyone.

 

Music Ministries

"One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song." (Vatican II Instruction on Music in the Liturgy)

"Sacred music, being a complementary part of the solemn liturgy, participates in the general scope of the liturgy, which is the glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful" (St. Pius X). Here at Saint Rose, Vocalists and Instrumentalists put the time and talent at the service of worship by making our parish liturgies beautiful through song. The information below describes the different music ministries at Saint Rose.

Interested in putting your musical talents at the service of the Church?  Please contact Charlotte Mariasy, our Director of Music and Liturgy, at the parish office for more information on how to get involved.

LAETARE -- The Saint Rose Adult Choir

Laetare is our principal choir which provides music weekly for the 10:00 am Sunday Mass and for special Solemnities and other celebrations from September through Pentecost. The traditional SATB ensemble is accompanied by the pipe organ.  Membership is open to all parishioners of high school age and older. Laetare rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 7:15 pm.

CANTATE DOMINO -- The Saint Rose Children's Choir

During the school year, the Cantate Domino children's choir sings each month at one of the Sunday Masses and provides music for special occasions at the parish. Membership in the children's choir is open to all children of the parish in grades 3-8. During the school year, Cantate Domino rehearses on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm.

THE SAINT ROSE MEN'S SCHOLA

Our men's Schola is open to men of the parish, high school age and older, who enjoy singing Gregorian chant. The Schola rehearses two Thursdays of each month from 7-8:30 pm. The Men's Schola sings twice a month, typically at the 8:00 am Sunday Mass. Those interested should contact Allan Dieball at dieball@gmail.com.

THE MEMORIAL CHOIR

The Memorial Choir has the important ministry of providing music for funerals at Saint Rose. This choir is open to all singers and does not rehearse on a regular basis.

CANTORS

Cantors, accompanied by piano or organ, lead the congregation in song at all Saturday and Sunday Masses. Strong singers who are comfortable singing solo in front of large groups are earnestly invited to share their talents with our parish. Cantors are chosen by audition with Charlotte Mariasy, our Director of Music and Liturgy. Please contact Charlotte to set up an audition at 419-874-4559 ext. 227.

THE SAINT ROSE RINGERS -- Our Parish Handbell Choir

Composed of adults from the parish, the parish handbell choir plays a 4-octave set of bells to accompany the congregation approximately once per month. The handbell choir rehearses on Tuesdays at 5:45 pm.

STRINGS, BRASS, WOODWINDS

Instrumentalists of any age who play strings, brass, or woodwind instruments are invited to put their talents at the service of the Church in a variety of settings.  Opportunities to fit every schedule, ranging from weekly liturgies to more occasional celebrations, are available. Please contact Charlotte Mariasy, our Director of Music and Liturgy, to discern the right fit for you!