St. Mary's Catholic Church
Ways to Serve
“The liturgy is considered as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. In the liturgy the sanctification of the man is signified by signs perceptible to the senses, and is effected in a way which corresponds with each of these signs; in the liturgy the whole public worship is performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and His members.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 7)
The Mission of Altar Servers
The ministry of Altar Server has a rich heritage of service at the Altar. They assist the Priests at the Altar during Sunday Masses and other Liturgies. The Altar Server helps lead the people in prayer and adds a richness to the Liturgy.
The Altar Server is called to be an example of prayer and helps to lead the people in prayer. For many centuries the were responsible for responding to the priest’s prayers and preparing the Altar. We, at St. Mary’s have a rich formation program for our Altar Servers in which we help them appreciate their role. We would love to incorporate any young person into our program.
Ministry Leader
Jennifer Stoebner and Susan Edwards
254-773- 4541
We welcome all youth to serve as Altar Servers during Sunday Masses and other Liturgies at St. Mary’s.
Application Process
Would you like to be an Altar Server, do you know a young man who would be a great server, or would you like your son to serve? Fill out the form here and we will be in touch with more details.
Events
Altar Server Training and Formation are held on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Who can serve at the Altar?
- All children who are past 2nd grade and have received 1st Holy Communion.
- Those children who have the physical strength to assist at the Altar
- Adult men who are willing to be leaders in this ministry (and who meet all EIM Guidelines)
What are the duties and expectations?
- Need to serve at scheduled times
- Need to be an example of prayer and discipline on the Altar
Ministry Leader:
Nancy Glover
(254) 223-0767 or (254) 773-4541
nancyglorver2112@gmail.com
We welcome men and women to help distribute Communion at Holy Mass and to go forth with the Blessed Sacrament to those who can not come to church to receive.
Application Process
Please contact Nancy Glover for more information.
Anyone who is fully initiated into the Catholic faith has a deep love for our Lord in the Eucharist and can serve at Mass and or drive to those on the route, may help. What better way to be the hands and feet of Jesus than to take the Eucharist out into the world? Being an Extraordinary Minister does not obligate you to do both!
Ministers to the homebound take Communion to individuals and to those at nursing facilities such as Cornerstone Nursing Home, Western Hills Nursing Home, Sterling House Nursing Home, Texas State Veterans Home, Garden Estates Assisted Living Facility and Scott & White Hospital each Sunday. Mass and route schedules are prepared every quarter.
Those wanting to receive Holy Communion at home:
- For parish members unable to attend Mass and wishing to receive Communion, please email tjmireles@gmail.com or call the church office at (254)773-4541 for placement on our list. We will need your name, address, and phone number.
- Parishioners at Scott & White Hospital: S&W will compile a list of hospitalized Catholics—this list is done only by S&W. Make sure you tell them at your admission that you are a Catholic. You may always contact the hospital Chaplain by dialing “0” on a hospital phone and ask for their office if you have questions.
Ministry Leaders:
Gretchen Reilly
Nazareth House
(254) 773-8381
magnificatcenter@icloud.com
Pick the time you want and sign up.Join us for Eucharistic Adoration!
The Chapel of the Incarnation across the street from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Temple TX
Tuesday, 9:00 am- Friday, 5:00 pm
Click Here to view the online schedule and click on “weekly commitment”
You will be able to:
- get weekly text or email reminders
- log in to find a substitute if needed
- get important announcements about changes to the schedule
- get messages about the need for substitutes
Can’t make a regular commitment? Click Here to become a substitute
You’ll get notices about when a substitute is needed and be signed up to receive important announcements about the schedule.
This devotion in an open prayer time for all and do not have to be of the Community or a Catholic to spend time with our Lord.
Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction is an extension of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which comes forth from every Mass: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” Adoration serves to deepen our hunger for Communion with Christ and the rest of the Church while instilling grace into our souls and lives. Eucharistic Adoration does not substitute for Mass but extends our participation in the Mass.
Eucharistic Adoration is adoring or honoring the Eucharistic Presence of Christ. In a deeper sense, it involves “the contemplation of the Mystery of Christ truly present before us.” Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist and is given the same adoration and devotion that is accorded to Christ. The practice of Adoration, known as Eucharistic Adoration, may be performed both when the Eucharist is exposed for viewing, and when it is not. At the onset of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places him in the Monstrance on the Altar for adoration by the faithful. When the Eucharist is displayed in a monstrance and placed on an altar, light is focused on it or candles flank it. “Monstrance” is derived from the Latin word “monstrare”, meaning “to expose”, and is the vessel used in the Church to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host during Eucharistic adoration or benediction. When the consecrated host is placed in the monstrance, then it is said to be a solemn exposition. When the Monstrance contains the Sacred Host, the priest or deacon does NOT touch it with his bare hands, but instead, holds it with a humeral veil, a wide band of cloth. Adoration traditionally may include Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, and times for silent adoration.
The adoration may also take place when the Eucharist is not exposed but is left in a ciborium, which is likewise placed on an altar or in an enclosed tabernacle so that the faithful may pray in the presence of the Lord without the need for volunteers to be in constant attendance (as must be the case when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed).
Official Catholic teachings consider the exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament an important practice which “stimulates the faithful to an awareness of the marvelous presence of Christ and is an invitation to spiritual communion with Him.” In many cases, Eucharistic adoration is performed by each person for an uninterrupted hour known as the Holy Hour. The inspiration for the Holy Hour is Matthew 26:40 when in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, Jesus asks Peter, “So could you not keep watch with me for one hour?
Adoration acknowledges that man is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil while calling us into deeper communion and relationship. Adoration is an homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory” and with respectful silence in the presence of the ever-greater God. Adoration of the thrice-holy Trinity, sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our prayers and our existence. The Rite concludes with the ordained minister blessing the faithful with the Blessed Sacrament.
Ministry Leader:
Beverly Roeder
(254) 774.1869
beverleyroeder@yahoo.com
We welcome men and women to come and proclaim the word of God at daily Masses and at Sunday and Holy day Masses. If you have a particular love of the Word of God and wish to help proclaim it, please apply.
Sign Up Process
Contact us via this form and we will be in touch!
Who can serve as a Lector?
Anyone who is fully initiated into the Catholic Church and can read the scriptures ahead to prepare may join this ministry. Let us know your preference for Mass times so we can put you on the schedule.
What are the duties and expectations?
Lectors generally arrive, dressed modestly, about 20-30 minutes before Mass begins in order to check the Lectionary for placement and confirm the presence of other reader(s). As the ambo is approached, the lector conveys a sense of authority, genuineness, and reverence for the Word of God.
The Lector must also be prepared – practice is essential and ideally begins early in the week preceding the scheduled time for being the Lector of the Mass. As one practice, it is helpful also to prepare for the other readings in case a substitute is called. Be attentive to your non-verbal communication, which is beneficial for the experience and understanding of listeners. Consider your tone of voice, speed of reading aloud, gestures, and eye contact. Reflect on the nature of the reading–is it a story, letter, metaphor, etc.?
The Mission of Lectors
God is present in the assembly of worshippers, the presider, the readings, and the Eucharistic presence of Christ. The Liturgy of the Word is proclaimed by the Lectors in a way that enlivens the scriptures for the listener. This occurs as the lector first understands what is being read and then is able to convey through the spoken word to the assembly of people. The Liturgy of the Word is spoken and is heard
St. Mary is blessed to have Choirs lead the music at each of the Sunday Liturgies who help provide the spirit and leadership to encourage the congregation to lift up their voices to God and assist the worshippers to move more deeply into the summit and fullness of the Mass. Please prayerfully consider joining the choirs in this beautiful ministry.
We welcome men, women, and children who love to sing, join in leading the congregation in song and prayer. Choirs sing at each Sunday Mass (5:30 PM Sat. Vigil, 7:30 AM, and 9:30 AM Sunday Masses), and at Holy Day Masses and other Liturgies. Prayerfully consider God’s gift of your voice in sharing with the community in joining our choir.
Ministry Leader:
Dr. Darrell St. Romain
(254) 773-4541
music@stmarytempletx.org
Sign Up Process
Contact us using this form and we will be in touch!
Ushers & Greeters Ministry
We welcome men and women of all ages to serve as ushers and greeters at Sunday and Holy Day Masses. This ministry plays an important role in helping everyone who enters our church feel welcomed, known, and at home.
If you enjoy meeting people and helping create a prayerful and hospitable environment for worship, we would love to invite you to serve.
Sign Up to Serve as an Usher or Greeter
Who can serve?
This ministry is open to men and women of all ages, including parents and teenagers. Ushers and greeters help parishioners and visitors feel welcome as they arrive for Mass and assist with the smooth and prayerful celebration of the liturgy.
No special experience is required—just a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to serve.
Duties and expectations
- Welcome parishioners and guests as they arrive for Mass
- Assist with seating when needed
- Select a family to bring forward the offertory gifts
- Assist with the collection
- Help maintain a comfortable worship environment
- Distribute bulletins after Mass
- Offer a warm farewell as people leave
- Check the church afterward for items left behind
- Assist appropriately in emergency situations if needed
All volunteers complete the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) training required by the Diocese of Austin.
The mission of ushers and greeters
Hospitality is at the heart of this ministry. Ushers and greeters help create a welcoming environment where parishioners and visitors alike can encounter Christ and participate fully in the Eucharist.
In many ways, ushers and greeters are the first face of the parish for someone arriving at Mass.
A tradition of service in the Church
The ministry of welcoming people at the doors of worship is one of the Church’s oldest forms of lay service. In the early Church—and even earlier in the Temple of Jerusalem—designated doorkeepers helped prepare the sacred space and assist those gathering for prayer.
In the early centuries of Christianity, this responsibility was entrusted to ministers known as porters, whose duties included opening the church and supporting the community’s worship. Today, this important role continues through the ministry of ushers and greeters, whose primary mission is hospitality as we gather for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Ministry Leader
Jay Wimberley
(254) 773-4541
jwimberley4@yahoo.com
Director of Liturgical Ministries:
Dr. Darrell St. Romain
(254) 773-4541
music@stmarytempletx.org
Who can serve as Liturgical Minister?
Qualifications and Guidelines from the Diocese of Austin and St. Mary’s Catholic Church to become a Liturgical Minister:
Be a Catholic, fully initiated (as age appropriate) in the Catholic Church, having received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation and in good standing with the Church.
- Give a positive witness to the Christian life;
- Have knowledge of the Order of the Mass
- Show reverence for the sacredness of the Body and Blood of Christ by their manner of dress and decorum while assisting at liturgy;
- Be fully aware of the manner of preparation, distribution and disposition of the Body and Blood of Christ;
- Click Here to Complete the Ethics & Integrity in Ministry (EIM) application and background check.
- Training with Ministry Team Leader to serve at Mass;
- Commissioning by Father–Mass set by Father.
