Liturgy
The Liturgy Commission promotes and enhances the liturgical life of our parish. It provides programs of liturgical education, planning, implementation, and evaluation so that the diverse parish community can more fully and actively worship in accordance with our diocesan policies and directives. We seek to enrich our parish's experience of our faith through spiritual and physical enhancements to the church environment; for example, church decor during special liturgical celebrations.
The liturgy is the public worship of the Church in which God is glorified through Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit. It is a continuation of the redemptive work of Christ through which we are sanctified. Christ is truly present in the liturgy—in the person of His minister, in the Eucharist, in the sacraments, and in the scripture. At the same time, Christ is the High Priest of the heavenly liturgy where he is seated at the right hand of God surrounded by the angels and the saints singing their hymn of unending praise. Our earthly liturgy is a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy where we are called to be saints offering perfect praise to our Lord.
For the liturgy to be fully effective in our lives, we must take an active part in the liturgy—we cannot be mere onlookers. Active participation does not mean to be simply active physically and vocally. Active participation requires an understanding and awareness of what is happening in the liturgy and cooperation with the divine grace offered to us. The exterior postures, responses, gestures, and silences must reflect “the internal worship of the heart” (Mediator Dei). To actively participate in the liturgy means to direct and subordinate the visible and human to the invisible and divine.
Consult the parish bulletin or parish headlines for any current or upcoming events that you may be interested to participate in.
The Liturgy Commission chair is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Parishioners are encouraged to participate in the liturgical life of the parish through the following ministries:
Lector
The Ministry of Lector is very important! As the assembly listens to your voice they begin to more fully appreciate the written Word of God. This is especially true if you have spent some time meditating in prayer and preparing to proclaim the Readings.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priests and deacons in the distribution of the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during Eucharistic liturgies.
Altar Server
An altar server assists the priest at weekend Masses, seasonal celebrations such as the Easter Vigil, Christmas, Confirmation and First Communion, and occasionally serve at funerals and weddings, if requested.
Sacristan
Participating in the Ministry of Sacristan is a privilege and an honor. Attention to detail is a must for this Ministry. The duties of a Sacristan include preparing the sacred vessels and other important items for use on the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Usher and Greeter
St. Patrick Church is a very welcoming and hospitable parish! Guests, visiting priests, and parish members are welcomed with a smile no matter which Mass they attend. Participants in this ministry have a ready smile and willing-to-help attitude to greet all those upon entering the church building.
Arts and Environment
Liturgical celebrations throughout the church year are enhanced with the use of flowers, banners, and other items.