Sacristan

Description of Role

Coordinator for worship services, ensuring that linens are pressed and clean, that altar vessels are kept safe, that consumables like altar wine and altar bread are in adequate supply, and that the church as a whole is kept secure and in good repair.

Time Required

Attendance at Masses and at funerals when required.

Masses approx 75 minutes Funerals about two hours this includes preparing the Church and returning everything to normal

Gifts & Talents

Good knowledge of how liturgies flow and the preparation requirements

Ability to work on your own in a careful and reverent manner

Support Provided

Altar Server

Description of Role

To assist the priest in the celebration of Mass and other liturgies

To gradually learn the requirements for different aspects of all liturgies

To be always prayerful, attentive and respectful when serving at Mass and other liturgies

To support other altar servers as required

To dress appropriately for this ministry

Time Required

To attend practices for all Altar Servers when required

To arrive at church 15 minutes before the beginning of Mass and remain after Mass until everything is tidy and ready for the next liturgy

Gifts & Talents

Willingness to learn more about the Mass

Ability to work as part of a team

Support Provided

Initially you will be partnered with an experienced altar server who will answer your questions

Cassocks and cottas are provided

Minister of Holy Communion

Description of Role

Assist in the distribution of communion at Masses and/or take the Eucharist to the sick and housebound in the parish.

Preparation duties before Communion and clean up after Mass.

This ministry is open to any confirmed Catholic.

Time Required

Once every 3/4 weeks during Mass and afterwards for up to 2 hours if visiting.

Gifts & Talents

A reverence for the Blessed Sacrament.

The ability to be a good listener and to show tact and understanding in someone else's home.

Support Provided

Short training session required plus visiting with experienced Special Minister.

Completion of a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check is necessary in line with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy for those visiting outside Mass

Pyx and purifiers are provided.

Liturgy of the Word & Communion

Description of Role

Conduct Liturgy of the Word and Communion services on weekdays, when the priest is unavailable.

Read epistles, psalms and gospel and serve consecrated host.

To undertake this ministry, you do not need to be a Minister of Holy Communion, but one is needed to assist if you are not.

Time Required

Only when the priest is unavailable.

Gifts & Talents

Ability to speak clearly and reverently from the Sanctuary

Support Provided

Short training session with the priest

Welcomer at Mass

Description of Role

Welcomers dispense a special sense of hospitality and inclusiveness to all those who come to Mass.

The role may be to greet people as they arrive in the church, or may involve dispensing hymnals, Mass books, newsletters and papers as required.

Doorman for children going to childrens' liturgy and give name cards to organiser of childrens' liturgy as they go upstairs

It also involves the collecting of books after Mass and the distribution of issues of Portsmouth People and other ad hoc letters.

Time Required

Arrive 25 minutes before the start of Mass, as per agreed rota and stay 10 minutes after Mass tidying up.

Gifts & Talents

This is a very simple ministry that requires only a warm smile and a friendly manner

Support Provided

Initially, you will be joined by an experienced Welcomer.

Reader

Description of Role

Proclaim the scripture readings at Mass reading the first and second readings, as well as the Psalm and Gospel Acclamation when no Cantor is present.

Time Required

Once every 6/8 weeks at Sunday Mass

Arrive early at Mass to check the lectionary

Prepare through prayer and practice.

Gifts & Talents

Ability to read clearly and reverently from the lectern.

Support Provided

Guidelines are circulated with the rota.

Occasional Diocesan training courses are available if needed

Childrens' Liturgy Liturgist

Description of Role

To offer children the opportunity to hear the Gospel at a level and in a way they can understand .so that they can take the message into their daily lives.

Role 1: The leader chooses, prepares and delivers the activity which stems from the gospel reading

Role 2: The team member provides backup (administrative, helping with the activity and sometimes helping prepare materials) 

Time Required

Once every 6 weeks, 1 hour preparation, 20 minutes at Mass.

Gifts & Talents

Willingness to share faith

Ablity to relate to children, to be patient organised and kind.

Ability to work as part of a team

Support Provided

Support is offered through occasional meetings and by teaming up with experienced Liturgy leader.

Guidelines  are shown on a webpage of the Portsmouth Diocesan website

A selection of Children's Liturgy books are available, which provide ready-made activities

Completion of a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check is necessary in line with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy

Offertory Collector

Description of Role

Distribution of the collecting boxes around the congregation and presentation of the boxes with in the Offertory Procession

Taking second collections after Mass

Emptying collection boxes after Mass and bagging up the collection.

Time Required

During Mass and 15 minutes after Mass for second collections.

Gifts & Talents

Ability to move around the church during the offertory collection

Support Provided

Prayers of the Faithful

Description of Role

Prepare and read the bidding prayers during Mass.

Time Required

Preparation time at home, reflecting on the lectionary for that day and current events.

Attendance at Mass on the day rostered. Typically every 6/8 weeks

Gifts & Talents

Read and write clearly.

Ability to reflect and share your faith.

Support Provided

Guidelines are provided with the rota.
  
For newcomers, prayers of the faithful that have been used previously, are offered as an example of a style that they could use. 

Most weeks, an e-mail is sent to the family concerned reminding them about the prayers for the forthcoming Sunday, as well as telling them of the most important guidelines regarding the Sunday itself

Repository

Description of Role

To sell items from the Repository to parishioners before and after Sunday Mass, and once a month before and after Saturday Mass (1st Sat in month).

Identify items where stock needs to be re-ordered.

To be aware of parishioners requirements.

Time Required

To arrive at church 20 minutes before the beginning of Mass preparing the table and remain after Mass until parishioners have left everything is locked away.

Gifts & Talents

Ability to handle money transactions.

Friendly nature and honesty.

To be open to new ideas with regard to stock.

Support Provided

Ordering of stock is consolidated by the organiser so this role does not include ordering.