Next weekend after each of the English Masses we will have an interest gathering in the Lewis Room (which is just across the plaza from the atrium) where you can learn more about the various ministries here at St. Raphael that support our weekend worship. You can also enjoy some refreshments! Below is a list and brief description of the ministries that will be represented. You'll find they all require unique gifts and availability. Each of our ministries have leaders in place to train and support our ministers. Please take some time this week to think and pray about whether God is calling you to serve in one of our weekend ministries, and we'll see you in the Lewis Room.

Altar Servers
Open to all kids 4th grade and up, our servers are scheduled about once a month at one of the of the weekend Masses. It's s a great way for them to serve in a unique way and discover some of the details and meanings in our worship and rituals.

Art & Environment
This ministry designs and maintains the visual environment of our church to make it beautiful so that it supports our worship throughout the liturgical year. Lots of different skills (including simply the ability to move things from one place to another!) needed, and the time commitment can vary depending on availability.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
This ministry is open to all confirmed Catholics in good standing, high school age and up. Ministers have the great privilege of assisting the priest and deacon distributing the Eucharistic (the Body and Blood of Christ) to the people at Mass.

Healthcare Ministry
These wonderful volunteers literally bring Jesus to those who are not able to come to church, including hospital patients, home-bound, and assisted living residents. Not only do the ministers bring the Eucharist with them, they are the presence of our community in prayer and fellowship to those who are not able to be physically present at church.

Music
There are actually many different groups in our music ministry including our large Parish Choir, the Children's Choir (grades 2-8), the contemporary Ensemble, the Bell Choir, our Cantors, and Instrumentalists. This fall we are starting a new choir, Gaudium, which will be primarily for high school and college students, and young adults, at our Sunday 5:30 Mass.

Readers
These men and women have the privilege of proclaiming the the Word of God to the gathered assembly. They also assist with reading our announcements and prayer intentions, and are generally scheduled about once a month.

Sacristans
One sacristan is assigned to each Mass, and sets up all of the elements, vessels, and books. The sacristan also is the glue person between the other ministries and the priest and deacon, making sure everyone is on the same page and things run smoothly behind-the-scenes.

Ushers
These are the hosts of the Mass, making sure everyone has what they need during the liturgy, helping with seating, assisting if someone needs a hand, and taking up the collection. A good usher is someone who is friendly, responsible, and a solution-finder.

Welcome
Our welcome ministry is less than a year old, but one of the most vibrant and fun ministries in which to serve. Welcome ministers are in the atrium and by the entrances to make sure that everyone who comes to Mass is greeted, and especially look to help out those who might be with us for the first time, to make them feel at home in our community.

We look forward to seeing everyone after Masses next weekend (August 24-25)!