Liturgical Ministries

All Liturgical Ministers must be practicing Catholics, in full communion with the Church and registered at St. Joseph's.
To participate in any of these ministries please call the Center for Lay Apostolates
at (209) 551-4973 ext. 202 or fill out this form (Lay Ministry & Apostolate Sign Up Form)

Altar Guild Ministry

Leader:  Myrna Dirige
Purpose:  To care for the sacristy, vestments and altars, ensuring that the House of the Lord is always in pristine order and ready for prayer, meditation and the liturgy of the Mass.

Altar Servers

Leader:  John Marsella
Purpose:  To provide a higher degree of respect and worship during the liturgy so that all will recognize Christ in the Eucharist. This ministry is for persons 9 years of age or older, who have received First Holy Communion and are interested in serving during Sunday Mass and other solemn events at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Environment Committee

Leader:  Gina Farias
Purpose:  To adorn the house of the Lord!  The Environment Committee oversees the Church environment, inside and outside, for the liturgical seasons.  Duties include cleaning and waxing the pews twice a year, collecting palms from the previous year to be burned on Ash Wednesday and arranging palms on Palm Sunday. The liturgical seasons, where weekend help is needed, include Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.  Men and women, girls and boys are all welcome to be a part of this rewarding work throughout the year.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Leader: John and Sarah Bacay
Purpose:  To assist the Priest in distributing the Eucharist during Saturday and Sunday Masses.
Participants in this ministry must be 18 years of age or older, must be practicing Catholics, in full communion with the Church, must dress in accord with the sacredness of the liturgy, and must be willing to distribute Holy Communion at Mass each weekend and Holy Day of Obligation.  Training for this ministry will be provided.

Lectors

Leader:  Kent and Laura Harker
Purpose:  To joyfully proclaim the Word of God during Mass as a representation of God's people and bringing God's Word to life during the liturgy. Lectors must be a practicing Catholic, in full communion with the Church and have the ability to read and proclaim the scriptures with a commitment of two or three Masses a month, including the preparation time for each assigned Mass.  Training will be provided.

Sacristans

Leader: Mel Noack
Purpose: To manage the sacristy and all that pertains to the ritual celebration of the sacred liturgy. A Sacristan oversees the setting up and taking down of all the vessels, vestments, and other liturgical implements. The attention to the details of the liturgy will allow the priest to attend to the people before and after mass.  Sacristans must have participated in other liturgical ministries prior to becoming a sacristan.

Sunday Hospitality - Greeters and Ushers

Leader:  Alfonso  Chavez and Myrna Dirige
Purpose:  To welcome all parishioners and visitors in a polite, gracious and respectful manner and to direct them to available seats.  Additional duties include the distribution of bulletins and other material and coordination of the offertory collection.
Participants in this ministry must be practicing Catholics, in full communion with the Church, registered members of St. Joseph's Church and willing to commit to at least one Sunday Mass per month to service.  Training will be provided for this ministry.

Sunday Plaza Refreshment Ministry

​Leader: Myrna Dirige
Purpose: To greet people at the end of mass and hand out donuts, pour coffee and orange juice and encourage a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

Welcome Center on the Plaza

Leader: Laura Mendoza
Purpose: We’re here to welcome and provide information to new and current parishioners.  We  help by pointing parishioners in the right direction, answering questions regarding any needs they might have, and most importantly by smiling and being inviting to all who pass by.  You don't have to know everything to participate in this ministry.

Liturgical Linens Coordinator

Leader: Kathie Lee Vermillion
Purpose: Maintain, clean and repair liturgical linens as well as replace linens as needed. Dress the altar for Holy Mass and liturgical events.

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To participate in any of these ministries please call the Center for Lay Apostolates
at (209) 551-4973 ext. 202 or fill out this form (Lay Ministry & Apostolate Sign Up Form)