Liturgical Ministers

All parish children who have completed third grade are warmly invited to become Altar Servers.

These boys and girls are an integral part of our Eucharistic celebrations on weekends and at weddings. They enjoy their service, engage in and grow in understanding of the Mass, and make new friends. Training is conducted as needed. Family scheduling preferences are always invited and accommodated.

Lectors are called and trained to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture at weekend and daily Masses and on Holy Days  and other liturgical celebrations. They also may read either the Universal Prayer and/or the Responsorial Psalm. Both adults and confirmed high school youth are welcome, and training is available periodically. Lectors are scheduled every four or five weeks.

Good Shepherd Parish provides the opportunity for children ages 4 to 10 to participate in the Liturgy of the Word for Children at the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses during the academic year. The children are sent by the community to hear the readings proclaimed and explained by a liturgical minister in a way that is designed to be engaging and understandable on their level.

Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the clergy in distributing Holy Communion at Mass and, if desired, in taking the Eucharist to homebound parishioners.

Mass schedules are based on the minister's preferences and are coordinated with those of Lectors and Altar Servers to promote family participation at the same Mass. Ministers who serve our homebound and nursing-home residents are scheduled separately. 

A fully initiated Catholic, having celebrated the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist who has a love for God and the Eucharist is welcome to receive training and join this ministry.

Pastoral Visitors are Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who bring Holy Communion to parishioners who are confined to their homes or nursing homes. We serve Traditions, Carriage House at Lee's Farm, Wayland Nursing & Rehab Center, Sunrise Senior Living,  as well as making home visits.

The Livestream Mass Ministry airs our Masses at 4 pm Saturday, as well as other special liturgies and events, via our YouTube channel and Facebook page. Volunteers will need to arrive a little early, run the livestream, and stay a few minutes afterwards. 

Every volunteer will be trained on the system, and it will be easy to run after one or two livestreams. No experience is necessary just basic computer literacy and technical skills. You will find the livestream equipment very intuitive in serving our parish in this special way.

Ready to welcome and assist visitors, parishioners and clergy, our ushers are the first friendly faces you will see in church. These women and men are essential for:

• Welcoming and seating
• Bulletin and liturgy assistance
• Assistance in emergencies

The commitment is limited to duties at Mass.