Serving on the Liturgy Committee your team is responsible for the guidance and coordination of all of the elements associated with our liturgical celebrations. This includes readers, announcers, servers, Eucharistic ministers, music ministers, Mass coordinators and the décor in our worship space. The group is also responsible for the preparation of the Sunday liturgies, as well as special liturgical celebrations throughout the year.

Members of this committee are normally involved in one of our liturgical ministries, to help ensure that all aspects of our celebrations are addressed, and usually serve for at least one year. The committee meets as required..

Children's Liturgy

Children's Liturgy is an adapted Liturgy of the Word, for children ages 4 to 10. Every Sunday, with a few exceptions, from September to June, the children come together during the 9:30 a.m. Mass to hear and reflect on the Sunday readings at their own level of understanding.

No registration is required for children to participate - just follow the leader downstairs.

People of all ages are invited to be part of the team – no prior training is necessary – just a willingness to be totally open to a child's expression of faith. Members of the team are needed to assist with the preparation and celebration of the Word, as well as any related activities and occasional preparation meetings.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic ministers assist the Presider in the sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ during Sunday Eucharist and weekday Masses. Through service as Eucharistic Ministers, God unites us all with our fellow members of the body of Christ and forms us all into that one body. Training is provided for those who wish to become Eucharistic Ministers. This ministry requires little time outside of your weekly attendance at Mass, and all Masses are in need of members for this extremely important ministry.

The objective of the Altar Server Ministry is to provide an opportunity for the younger members of the parish to actively participate in the celebration of the mass and in doing so to add to the solemnity of the celebration.

Altar Servers

Younger members who have received their First Communion are welcome to join the Ministry. It is on a volunteer basis. However, parents are required to make a commitment that their children will be in attendance at least 15 minutes ahead of the Mass scheduled times and if they are scheduled to serve that they recognize that it is important that they attend those particular Masses. Fr. Lukose and or the other celebrants depend on them being available.

The children are instructed based on set of guidelines to serve as Altar Servers.

As the children mature they are encouraged to participate in other ministries in the parish, such as in the Liturgy Ministry for the younger children, the collections, participation in the choir and to become Lectors. They are invited to continue serving as Altar Servers as the parish depends on volunteers on an on-going basis.

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the living Word of God at Mass. The announcer welcomes the assembly before the celebration begins and offers the intercessory prayers on behalf of the community.

Service in this ministry offers a wonderful opportunity to grow in knowledge of the Scriptures. For Sundays, lectors and announcers are scheduled two or three times per month, and alternate between announcing and proclaiming the Word. Schedules for other liturgies may vary.

Training is provided, and lectors for Sunday Masses are provided with resources for preparation and reflection.

Mass Coordinators

Music Minstry

Holy Cross is blessed with a variety of music ministers at all of our liturgies throughout the year, including our Sunday Masses, weddings, funerals and other special occasions. Additionally, musicians, individually and together, occasionally hold concerts in support of various causes.

Participation in most choirs is generally required on a weekly basis ; rehearsals are usually 1-2 hours per week, depending on the group. See the music ministers at any Mass for further information.

Music ministers are also invited to participate in meetings of the music committee, in order to discuss the needs of the musical community of our parish, and to help design a music program that enables our whole parish to sing God's praises.

MORE INFO HERE....

Projection Ministry

At Holy Cross we use powerpoint projection for all Masses and special celebrations. The projection ministry involves setting up and operating our projection system for all occasions.

Altar Linens

The members of this ministry care for and launder the altar linens weekly. Training for this ministry is provided, and the schedule is flexible.

Baptismal Preparation

Baptism marks the beginning of our Christian life. Through this sacrament we first participate in the Lord's death & resurrection. From the moment of our baptism, we are called to renew and deepen our share in the Paschal mystery by participating in the Church's liturgy, by daily prayer and works of charity.

The baptismal preparation team meets with parents and godparents and helps prepare them for their roles in the lives of their children through reflections and discussions. Through a series of sessions before and after the baptism, a strong connection is made between the parents and parish community, welcoming both them and their children into our parish family.

For anyone interested in joining this team, please call the parish office. Baptisms are held on Sundays as required. The commitment from the team is one meeting with the parents and godparents and attendance to assist at the ceremony.

If you are a parent who wishes to have their child baptized, please contact the office.

Suitable for Teens 13 and up

Children's Sacramental Preparation

The Sacramental preparation committee helps to prepare parents and school aged children for the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion, through the "Come Join Us at the Table" program.

With our renewed understanding of Christian initiation following Vatican II, the Archdiocese of Ottawa is returning to the traditional practice of celebrating Confirmation and first Eucharist together. These sacraments are not tied to a specific age or grade, but rather are celebrated when the children are ready.

For children attending Holy Cross or Holy Family schools as well as for children at all other schools, parents are encouraged to contact the parish office for information.

New team members are needed to help prepare children and parents for these sacraments. All that is required is a desire to help children and their parents through these important stages of their faith journey. Several meetings, activities and celebrations are planned throughout the year, and training is provided.

The Liturgy Committee