Acolytes and Extra Ordinary ministers of the Communion
Our parish is especially blessed with Acolytes for the service of the altar and the distribution of the Holy Communion. Acolytes are able to serve for life, and every five years are re-commissioned for active service within the parish. Extra ordinary ministers of the Holy Communion are commissioned for two years and may be re-commissioned. Both acolytes and extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion may take the Communion to the sick, to those living in residential care and those who are confined to their home.
Altar Server’s Guild
The Altar Servers Group of St Jerome’s Parish was revived in August 2010 with the formation of the “St Jerome’s Church Altar Servers Guild”. The main function of the Guild is to organise altar servers for the parish weekend Masses. All members of the Guild are committed to be on the Altar Server Roster and to attend the scheduled training programme. The secondary function of the Guild is to provide the altar servers with a platform to develop their own Catholic faith and values, leadership skills and social interaction in a safe and caring environment. Activities include:
- Monthly gathering (including outdoor activities)
- Senior Servers’ meeting
- Faith development activities
- Annual camp
- Annual fund raising activity
- Senior Servers’ retreat.
The Executive Committee of the Guild, formed by the Senior Servers, is responsible for the planning and running of activities, and is assisted by parent advisors. This ministry is open to all members of the parish who have received the sacrament of the Eucharist. There are servers rostered for each of the weekend masses and they assist the priest and acolyte in the celebration of the liturgy. Training is held to prepare the altar servers in our parish.
Lectors (Readers) and Commentators
The lectors are those who proclaim the sacred scriptures at Holy Mass and other liturgical functions. The parish is looking for people of all ages to volunteer as readers for our weekend masses. The commentators welcome Parishioners and visitors to Mass and they introduce the theme of the Liturgy
Ushers and Greeters
The greeters extend a warm welcome in the church foyer and distribute the Church Bulletins while the ushers assist parishioners to their seats, especially on special occasions when the congregation is large. They also arrange for the offertory procession, and call appropriate help if there is an emergency in the congregation.
Music ministry
The music ministry sings and plays instruments at weekend masses. In our Parish there are four groups for each of the four weekend masses. They help people participate actively in the Eucharist through music and singing. New members are always welcome in every group. In the Vatican II documents it quotes “those who sing pray twice over” because “music is the integral part of the liturgy”.
Decorating Group
The decorating group consists of people who use their artistic and aesthetic skills and talents to glorify God in decorating the church for different liturgical occasions and thus create an ambience of prayer and worship. This also includes those who prepare floral arrangements for the church.
Children’s liturgy
Children’s liturgy is held every Sunday at 10 am Mass. It is meant to enkindle in the hearts of little ones faith and love of God by telling them bible stories and teaching them prayers.