Liturgical Ministry

Mass Coordinators understand that preparation is the key to a prayerful liturgy. The coordinator arrives early to make all preparations for the celebration and organizes the other assigned ministers. The duties of “Sacristan” which involves preparation work for liturgies, funerals, weddings, etc. On occasion, additional work is done during the service. Sacristans also maintain the care of liturgical vessels, linens, vestments, microphones and other items. Facilitating and leading Morning Prayer before Daily Mass once a week is also an option. A chair is reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for a representative(s) to serve as liaison to the two teams and to other groups.

Hospitality Ushers greet parishioners, direct traffic, assist parishioners in distress, and usher the people to their seats at our worship services. They select Offertory presenters, coordinate collections, distribute the parish bulletin on Sunday and assist Mass coordinators or pastor when needed. Individuals are assigned to teams that are responsible for Masses and they usually rotate on a monthly basis. Requires fingerprints to be on file with Oro Valley. A chair is reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for a representative to serve as liaison to the two teams. The Ushers perform a very essential function at all of our liturgies. For more information contact the Parish Office.

Lectors proclaim the readings before the Gospel and the Intercessions during the Liturgy of the Word. Readers must have a strong personal faith and good voice skills. A chair is reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for a representative to serve as liaison to the two teams.

Altar Servers assist the celebrant with the Sacramentary and help prepare the altar. This ministry is open to all boys and girls of the parish, grade school students, beginning in the fifth grade, high school students, college students, and adults. Their duties include preparing the worship space, serving the Mass and cleaning and returning all liturgical items after the liturgy. Four 8th grade servers are chosen each year as Server Captains. They give leadership and help with the training. For more information contact the parish office at St. Mark. You must want to serve at God's altar. We will provide the training; you bring an open heart.

Please remember to continue to follow the five guidelines for altar serving:

• arrive 15 minutes early
• wear appropriate shoes
• participate in the Liturgy
• hang up and fasten albs onto the hangar
• get a substitute if you cannot serve

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest and deacon in the distribution of Holy Communion as needed. Those who are interested in serving in this ministry should be confirmed Catholics in good standing, with a strong Eucharistic faith, who are willing to be trained in this important service. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are normally commissioned for a three-year period for service. All Extraordinary Ministers can serve not just at Mass but are also commissioned to bring the Holy Eucharist to the sick and the homebound. A chair is reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for a representative to serve as liaison to the two teams.

Messengers of Christ bring Christian fellowship, prayer and Communion on to those who are homebound, those in retirement homes, and persons who may be temporarily disabled or are patients at a hospital. Persons serving in this capacity should have an aptitude for dealing with the sick. This ministry extends the compassion of our parish family to those who are sick and offer to the patients the prayerful support of the Church. The time for this ministry is flexible and can fit into busy schedules. [Please call the Parish Office if you or someone you know would benefit from a messenger visit]

Prayers of the Community - It is a privilege and expression of our faith to call upon all of the members of our community to pray for our sick and dying. It is through community prayer that we affirm the reality of shared life in Christ's body. Prayers are offered for persons whose names are on the parish prayer list at our Sunday and weekday liturgies. May the Holy Spirit strengthen all members of the Church to manifest the Love of Christ to the sick in their midst.
Eucharistic Visits - The sick need the strength and graces of our risen Lord in Holy Communion more than ever. Because they are unable to celebrate the Eucharist with the rest of the Community, the most important visits are those during which they receive Holy Communion. In receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, the sick are united sacramentally to the Lord and are reunited with the Eucharistic Community from which illness has separated them.

The Celebration of Viaticum is the appropriate sacrament for the dying. The word "viaticum" is from the Latin script, "Via Tecum", which means literally, "with you on the way". It refers to the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the dying, which is seen as food for the final journey from this life to the next. It is the completion and the crown of the Christian life on this earth, signifying that the Christian follows the Lord to eternal glory and the banquet of the heavenly kingdom. Viaticum is celebrated when it is clear that the person is dying, but should take place while they are still alert and able to participate.

Commendation of the Dying - as death approaches, the dying person is also to be sustained by prayers for the dying. These include readings from Scripture, the Litany of the Saints, and a Prayer of Commendation. Special prayers are also provided for the family and for the deceased after death has occurred.

Art & Environment serves the community through creativity and expertise. You can help enhance our worship experience by providing regular care and seasonal decorations for the church in many ways: designing the interior or exterior of sacred space, candle-making, needlepoint, sewing, and floral design. The “Writing on the Wall” program is coordinated by the pastor of the week and completed by members of this important ministry. A chair is reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for a representative to serve as liaison to the two teams.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word [CLOW]

Sacred Song Ministry
St. Mark’s offers an array of musical experiences for everyone. We currently offer the following groups to participate in on Sundays:

• Solo Cantor/Vocalist with contemporary instrumentation at 8:OOAM Mass;
• Adult Choral with mixed instrumentation at 10:00AM Mass

[Adult practice sessions are Thursdays, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM]

• Variety arrangements at 12:00 Noon, (Children’s Choral once a month)

[Children’s Choir practices on Thursdays from 4:15 PM to 5:30 PM]

• Life Teen Band at 5:30PM Mass

[Life Teen begins practice at 3:00 PM on Sundays]

• Vocal soloist with traditional accompaniment at 5:00 PM Vigil Mass on Saturday.

The Saint Mark’s Music Ministry is a fun and exciting way to meet new people with the same interest in good music and a chance to form lasting memories. We sing a wide repertoire of music from simple chant, polyphonies, Praise & Worship, and Spirit filled classics. You will have the opportunity to develop your singing and musicality to its optimum potential. If you're ready to be serious, warm-hearted, playful, practical, supportive, challenging, inspiring and creative, then we're ready and waiting for you.

In addition to singing in the choir there are many opportunities for instrumentalists, artists, and soloists. From our Feast Days to our many special events you'll surely find your niche.

As usual anyone is welcome to join the choir. NO commitment is required to come and check it out and see if you like it before you join. Feel free to join us at a rehearsal even if you'd like to just sit and listen; visitors are always welcome especially those who think they might like to join. Auditions may be scheduled at any time. Chairs are reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for representatives to serve as liaison to the two teams.

The Saint Mark Children’s Choir is open to children from the ages of 5 – 12. This is an excellent opportunity for your child to interact with other children who have the same interest in singing. The children will learn to read music and all it entails: theory, rhythm, accurate sight singing, and more. They will also learn to read English (for the younger ones), and other languages such as Spanish, and Latin. Part of their choral experience entails memorable performances with other great musicians and the satisfaction of working hard with others for a common goal. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact our Director, Janna Larson.

Technical Audio – Visual Ministry is now forming! Do you have an expertise or interest in quality multimedia applications and sound? This ministry is important support to enhance the Liturgy and ministry. If you are dependable, flexible and have some problem solving skills, we want you to be involved. Will also assist by setting up and removing equipment as needed. A chair is reserved in the Liturgy Team Meeting held once every 4-8 weeks for a representative to serve as liaison to the two teams.

Liturgy Preparation & Evaluation team meets every 4-8 weeks to discuss issues related to enhancement, coordination, training, preparation, and evaluation of all liturgical celebrations, supportive ministries and seasonal events taking place at St. Mark’s. Members and staff of St. Mark’s seek to prayerfully represent the needs of the worshipping community, to educate, inform, and convert themselves first to the Gospel call and mission of Christ, and to lead the parish family under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Periodic guest speakers provide introductions to resources suitable for use and reference by the team.

Participation and Presence with dignity, decorum, reverence and piety is important for communal and worthy offerings made to God in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Every person is welcome to the table and celebration of the Lord. As citizens in the Kingdom of God, we approach Him with contrite and humble hearts to be transformed through the hearing of His Word and the offering of the Holy Eucharist. With one another, through Christ, we become His Light for the nations, loving and serving Him and one another.