Sacristans

The Sacristan ministry is entrusted with the ministry of preparing for the Celebration of Mass and other liturgical events in our church. We also ensure all is in order when the Celebration is finished. 

The variety of duties includes preparing the altar, setting and lighting the altar and other ceremonial candles checking the altar linens, which include the corporals and purificators and altar cloths. We also prepare the bread and wine, set the ciboria, communion cups, and the celebrant’s chalice. Before mass starts we check the status of the other ministries, filling in as needed or asking for replacements that are not present at Mass and cleaning up afterwards. 

Some of our ministry’s other duties include preparing and setting up for: 

• The Benediction and Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. 
• Assisting the Deacon/Priest in setting up for Baptisms 
• With the Lazarus Ministry we prepare the church for Funerals 
• Coordinate wedding liturgies 
• Assist at the masses for school children, Confirmation and First Holy Communion 

• Being caretaker of the sacred vessels and vestments; caring for the ceremonial and altar linens 
• Preparation of the ritual books, Sacramentary, Lectionary, Book of Blessings, Rites of Christian Burial and much more; 
• Ensuring that there is a sufficient stock of Communion hosts and sacred wine, incense and charcoal and other expendables that are used in the course of our liturgies
• Caring for the candles that are used on the altar and in our worship space
• Attend the needs of the presider, the ministers of the altar and the Assembly 

At present we have sixteen active Sacristans and an additional two semi-retired substitutes. Last year we prepared for 364 Sunday Liturgies and on an average setup for 520 daily masses during the year. This does not include any special masses or liturgical events. Our ministry is open to both men and women and we are always looking for additional help. Most of our ministers are developed from the Eucharistic Minister group. If you like to help in a quiet "behind the scenes" way, then becoming a sacristan may be the job for you. Sacristans are responsible for "the care of holy things" used in the worship life of the parish. 

The ministry of the sacristan is a crucial one in the life of a parish. By preparing and overseeing the things of the liturgy, readying them and rendering them accessible to the members of the assembly, the sacristan works to make the full, conscious and active participation of all at the liturgy a lived reality. 

For more information, please contact Dwight Torlay at 609-890-0660 or [email protected].