Altar Servers/Monaguillos
Altar servers assist the Priest at the altar during parish liturgies, funerals, weddings and other special liturgical celebrations. Training for Altar Servers is provided periodically during the year for all children and youth (boys and girls) interested in assisting the priest at Mass. Special instruction is also provided to those scheduled to serve at special Masses. Those wishing to assist at Mass as Altar Servers must have received their 1st Holy Communion. It is recommended that altar servers be enrolled in continuing religious formation classes, to deepen their understanding of Scripture, the Mass and their Catholic Faith. They are scheduled on a rotating basis during the month. Generally, there will be at least three servers scheduled for each Mass. Adults are also welcome to participate. If you are interested, please call the Parish Office (915-533-4451).
Altar Society
The altar society of Saint Patrick is a group of men and women from the parish who offer their dedicated service to the church. They are involved in the life of the church in a special way. Through their efforts, they assist the pastor in maintaining the altar, sanctuary, and the sacristy. This includes cleaning and setting of the altar for service, caring for the vestments, altar cloths, etc. They also decorate for special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion provide an integral service to the celebration of Mass. They are responsible for working with the sacristan to set-up the credence table with all the necessary vessels and items for the Mass as well as assisting the Priest and/or Deacon. In addition, with some additional training and the approval of the pastor, some Eucharistic Ministers also take Eucharist to the sick and homebound in our community. This includes regular visits to several area nursing homes. Ministers are scheduled to serve at Mass on a rotating basis. Training for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist is provided through the Tepeyac Institute, the diocesan center for formation of ministers. Call Tepeyac (872-8420) for more information.
Hospitality/Hospitalidad
At St. Patrick we strive to be a welcoming community. Ministers of Hospitality welcome parishioners and visitors as they arrive at church. They answer questions concerning the parish, committees, and the community. Training is provided as needed.
Ministers of Hospitality facilitate any special needs, assist with seating, take up the collection, and hand out bulletins at the end of Mass. They also select individuals or families to present the gifts during Mass.
Lectors/Lectores
The ministry of Lectors brings the word of God alive to the assembly. The Lector reminds the assembly of God’s love and rouses them to do His will. Time commitment for this ministry includes a brief training session as well as preparation time at home. Lector workbooks are provided to help with the preparation. A lector must be able to read well, pronounce words clearly and project his/her voice. Training for Lectors is provided through the Tepeyac Institute, the diocesan center for formation of ministers. Call Tepeyac (872-8420) for more information.
Marriage Preparation Ministry
The Marriage Preparation ministry prepares couples seeking the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The group of sponsor couples consists of married couples with experience to guide engaged couples through a series of marriage preparation classes offered by St. Patrick. Time commitment for this ministry includes a brief training session as well as preparation time to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life, and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. If you’re interested in being part of this fruitful ministry, call the Parish Office (915-533-4451).
Music Ministry
The music ministry plays an important role in our Church liturgy. There are several choirs at Saint Patrick Cathedral, one for each mass. These choirs consist of parishioners who volunteer their time, talent, and service to our parish community. When our parish family gathers to share our faith in Mass, singing together is a fundamental part of the celebration.
Saint Patrick Cathedral Music Ministry has dedicated singers and instrumentalists of all ages. We are blessed to have so many people willing to share their talent and love of music. Our role is to support the prayer of the people, and to actively engage each member of the assembly. These are the channels that provide musicians the great joy and privilege for the weekly celebrations, very special feasts, and occasions throughout the year. The cathedral is always looking for more singers who want to serve the Lord in music ministry.
Those who sing pray twice. Music ministers find their inspiration in the psalms of David, the martyrdom of Saint Cecilia and in the great music written for sacred liturgy composed by large schools of music and small communities throughout the world.
For more information on this ministry please contact the ministry coordinator of the parish. Call the Parish Office (915-533-4451) for more information.
Wedding Coordinators
Saint Patrick Cathedral wedding coordinators provide a service to each couple being married at Saint Patrick. Coordinators are assigned to each wedding, attending both the rehearsal and wedding ceremony to ensure it runs smoothly. The ministry is designed to take as much worry out of the day as possible. The coordinators will instruct the bridal party on how to walk down the aisle, help with the Eucharist, and so on.
Since people have different versions of their own “dream” wedding, no two weddings are ever the same, large, small, formal, casual, ring bearers, flower girls, traditional and non-traditional weddings.
It’s always a joy to be among a church full of people celebrating the beginning of a new relationship. If you have great communication skills, time management skills, and love weddings this ministry might be for you. Call the Parish Office (915-533-4451) for details.