Ushers and greeters have the privilege of making the first official contact with those who gather for the Sunday Celebration of Mass. 

Among the servants of God who compose the membership of our community, ushers are called upon to provide a very special service in the exercise of a true liturgical ministry.  Each arriving person needs to experience the feeling of belonging, a sense that it is good to be here.   Perhaps more than any other ministry, ushers need to be people oriented.  Strangers need to be put at ease, visitors to be welcomed and the physically and mentally challenged need to experience the love of a Christian community.

There is always a need for additional ushers -- new parishioners are always welcome.  For more information contact Nancy Irwin at Saint Edward or Mary Sheedy at Saint Jude.

Contact Mary Sheedy for St. Jude & Nancy Irwin for St. Edward

Are you called to proclaim the Word of God? All those baptized receive gifts from the Spirit … gifts that can be used in a variety of ways to serve the Lord and each other. Answering the call to become a Lector allows you to enter into a deeper relationship with God, as God is revealed in sacred scripture.

Those participating in the Lector Ministry proclaim the Word at Masses offered on the weekends, during the week, special celebrations and on Holy Days of Obligation.
 
New members are always welcome! We need you! If you feel called into this ministry, please use the contact information found below to volunteer. 

Contact Mary Sheedy or Bill Hill for St. Jude & Deacon Fred for St. Edward

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion help the clergy distribute the Eucharist, Holy Communion, during Mass. Depending on circumstances, Eucharistic ministers can help in distributing both the Most Precious Bread and Blood.

While Extraordinary ministers are not ordained, they carry out a important role in handling the Eucharist which is sacred.  Extraordinary ministers should have a deep faith with a love of the Eucharist.  They must be confirmed Roman Catholic who are committed to the Lord and in union with the Church. 
Extraordinary ministers arrive 15 minutes before Mass and stay a few minutes afterward to help clean.

Contact Mary Sheedy, Beth Budny, or Maria Tomaszewski for St. Jude and Deacon Fred for St. Edward

Altar Servers free the presider from many details and tasks so he can concentrate on the Mass. They give a sense of order and grace and can influence the atmosphere of prayer.  
 
 The ministry of Altar Server/Cross Bearer is open to children in grades 2-7.  The duties of an Altar Server consist of service (usually in pairs) at weekend Masses.  A child will serve approximately every 3 weeks.  
 
 Please use the contact information below if you would like to volunteer.

Contact Mary Sheedy for St. Jude & Deacon Fred for St. Edward

Through the use of color, flowers, and seasonal decor the church environment reflects the liturgical year and enhances the celebration of Mass and special services.  This ministry provides the appropriate decoration for the church, in keeping with the liturgical seasons.  The only experience necessary to join this ministry is the willingness to lend a helping hand. 
 
The major feasts of Christmas and Easter require the most “hands” in order to place the live plants.  This means approximately a half-day of work sometime in the week before Christmas Eve and day Masses, and another half day of work on Holy Saturday to be ready for the Easter Vigil and Sunday masses.  For the duration of these seasons, availability to water and deadhead plants would also be helpful. 
 
During Ordinary Time, there is little to no time involved.
 
To join the team, or for further information, please contact the ministry leader. 

The Mass in which you participate on Sunday, the marriage of a couple, morning and evening prayer, the baptism of a child - all are liturgies in the Roman Catholic Church. Within Saint Edward and Saint Jude Parishes, the Liturgy Committee takes a very active role in preparing and insuring the celebration of the liturgy.

The collaborative Liturgy Committee works for the liturgical education of the parish at large and serves as the primary caretaker of the liturgy:

Prepares and implements liturgies for the major seasonal celebrations. (Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter Seasons)
Provides ministers at specifically designated liturgies.
Works with other parish groups for liturgical events under their sponsorship.
The committee meets throughout the year.  Meetings can include an educational component, preparation of liturgy, task assignment and implementation of plans.

Membership includes the parish liturgy/music director, and representatives of different ministries of the parish:  Eucharistic ministers, lectors, ushers, RCIA, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Children's Liturgy, altar servers and environment.

Contact Mary Sheedy for St. Jude