Altar serving is a beautiful way for our young people to serve the community at the Eucharistic celebration. A student is eligible to serve once they have begun 4th grade. Those in high school who are experienced are eligible for the distinction of “senior server” which is distinguished by a cassock and surplice.

Mission

We serve God and our Parish community through the distribution of the Holy Eucharist to God’s people. As an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion we are a witness and a sign of the “Eucharist.” We represent the local faith community, the parish, and the universal church.

Who We Are

Parish members who are 18 years or older, are practicing Catholic’s in good standing, having received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). We have a love for the Eucharist and for sharing our faith through this ministry, and accepted this call as a gift, and an opportunity to be of service.

What We Do

Assist in distributing the Eucharist to parish members during Mass.

• Saturday 5:00pm
• Sunday 8:30am and 11:00am

Contact the church office to get a hold of Ann Buebel for more information.

• The lector proclaims the Scripture during the Liturgy.
• Lectors devote time to preparing and understanding the Word of God.
• Lectors attend initial training sessions and commit to private preparation for their ministry.

TIME COMMITMENT:

• WEEKENDS: Serve when scheduled @ 1 ½ hr. per mass
• WEEKDAYS: Serve when scheduled @ 30 minutes per mass

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION:

• Serve when scheduled.
• First Saturdays of each month

• Must be a registered member of St. Francis Xavier Parish.
• The Pastor’s approval is required.

Contact the church office to get a hold of Ann Buebel for more information

CHOIR:

The mission of the St. Francis Xavier choir ministry is to enrich, inspire, comfort and motivate the worshiping community through sacred songs as an expression of faith, spirituality and devotion and lead the congregation in the participation of the Mass.

• Choir membership is open to anyone high school age or older.
• Choir sings at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass beginning after Labor Day through the Easter Season and for other liturgical events.
• Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm and Sunday at 10:00 am

CANTOR:

The role of the cantor is to lead the congregation in sacred song. Other duties include the sung introduction and verses of the responsorial psalm as well as the sung introduction and verse of the gospel acclamation. Also required is the announcement of song numbers throughout the Mass.

• The cantor should have basic musical and vocal training to the extent of being able to read music notation, match relative pitch, and consistently demonstrate good diction.
• The cantor should have the ability and willingness to take musical and liturgical direction from the Director of Music.

• An audition conducted by the Director of Music is required.

Environment and alter care is a ministry that looks to provide a visually pleasant space to inspire the congregation to worship. Plants are grown and cared for in the rectory green house, then rotated to the sanctuary.

Appropriate liturgical colors and fresh cut arrangements are used to enhance the space. Alter cloths are also cared for by the ministry. Help is needed two or three times weekly to water, arrange, and decorate the sanctuary, as well as caring for the planters in the front of the church.

Please call the front office to get in contact with Diane Lott.

A sacristan is an officer who is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and their contents. The duties of our sacristan include:

• The preparation of the Blessed Eucharist
• The preparation of necessities for the various sacraments
• Baptism
• Holy Mass
• Weddings
• The preservation of order in the church during distribution of communion
• Supervision and training of the altar servers

Our sacristans have also been commissioned as acolytes. They are charged with lighting the candles on the altar, bearing the incense in procession, and during the Gospel; they will also bless the priest and congregation with the incense in the absence of a deacon. Also in the absence of a deacon, the acolyte may assist in preparing the altar for the sacrifice of the Mass; the acolyte will usually stand to the left of the celebrant while the priest blesses and consumes the sacraments in order to immediately assist the celebrant if necessary. Acolytes also serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and may assist the priest in the sprinkling rite over the congregation.

CCA

Religious education of children begins and grows in the home, within the context of nurturing family life. Parents are the first and primary religious educators of children. St Francis Xavier Catholic Church partners with parents to educate our children to love, know and serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, and grow in His compassion.

Parish School of Religion (PSR) is a program of systematic teaching of our children from grades Pre-K (4 yr old) to 8. We teach the Holy Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Our teachers also prepare the children to receive the sacraments. All children of the Parish, whether attending Catholic or Public schools, are invited to attend our religious education classes and experiences.

PSR meets Sundays of the school calendar year, 9:30 am to 10:45 in the school. For more information call Marisol Soler at (912) 264-6805 ext. 12.

RCIA

For those who want to be baptized in the Catholic Church or who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition and who want to become Catholic or those who have been baptized Catholic but have not had First Communion or Confirmation. We introduce stories, rituals, and symbols of the Catholic community which invites those preparing for baptism or reception into the church to enter deeper into their faith journey. The community celebrates baptism/reception at Easter. Also a great update for interested spouses and lifelong Catholics. Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., beginning each September and continuing through Easter to Pentecost.

Please contact us via phone, 912-265-3249 ext. 0.

Classes begin September 9th at 7 p.m. in the Church.