LITURGY and MUSIC

INTRODUCTION
   Liturgy is the focal point of spiritual life at St. Albert's. Whether it’s the celebration of weekend or daily Masses or any of the other liturgical events during a given year, from baptisms and marriages to confirmations and funerals, liturgy is both the source and summit of spiritual life at St. Albert’s, both for individuals and for the entire parish community.

   Important, too, is the music that permeates almost every aspect of liturgy at the parish.  Three different choirs add to the celebration of weekend Masses, while numerous other music programs play important roles in almost every aspect of parish life.

LITURGICAL ROLES
   Numerous opportunities exist to actively participate in the liturgical life of the parish.  They range in scope from Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to Acolyte, from Lector to member of the Art and Environment committee. Just click on the words below to be taken to the section(s) that interest you most.

     Acolyte (server)
     Art and Environment Committee Member
     Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
     Hospitality Minister
     Lector
     Liturgy of the Word with Children
     Music Ministry
     Schedules



Acolyte (server)
   Acolytes assist the priest in making worship more prayerful. All acolytes need to be 5th grade or older.  Training sessions are held on various Sundays in Church.
     Procedures
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Art and Environment Committee Member
   This committee meets seasonally to create ideas for the interior environment of St. Albert’s facilities. They are responsible for creating a meaningful atmosphere that compliments the liturgical year. It is not necessary to be artistic; it is necessary only to have a pair of willing, helping hands.
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Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
   Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest in ministering the Body and Blood of Christ during the Mass. They are responsible for attending a training session on various Sundays in Church, ministering the Eucharist, and assisting the priest/deacon in washing and putting away the vessels.
     Procedures
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Hospitality Minister
   Hospitality Ministers welcome and help people feel comfortable in church. They greet people as they arrive for Mass and assist them in finding available seating. They distribute collection baskets and collate money after Mass. They hand out parish bulletins and are available to offer assistance when needed. Following a Mass, they make sure pew areas are neat and welcoming for the next liturgy.  The training session for this ministry will be held on various Sundays in Church.
     Procedures
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Lector
   Lectors proclaim the Scriptures at Masses and special liturgies. Before coming to church, they are responsible for previewing the General Intercessions and the readings in the Lectionary.  The training session will be held on various Sundays in Church.

     Procedures
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Liturgy of the Word with Children
   During weekend Masses, children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 have an opportunity to experience simplified scriptural readings, special songs, a reflection homily appropriate to their ages, a special Creed, and their own Prayers of the Faithful.
   This ministry encompasses three special roles. A Leader of Prayer leads children in the readings, responses, reflections, Prayers of the Faithful and Creed, actively involving the children when possible. The Assistant to the Leader of Prayer collects children's envelopes, monitors the time, directs children back into church, and collects and sees that the children's offerings are brought to the altar. The Candle Bearer / Musician carries the candle and leads children in song and active participation with the use of CD's and visual aids.
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Music Ministry
   The music ministry at St. Albert’s is open to all who desire to share their musical gifts to enhance our Liturgies. We welcome all who are interested in making music to praise our Lord as choral members, instrumentalists and as cantors. The music ministry is open to all capable youths or adults with musical skills and a servant’s heart to share.  Warning: Come prepared to give your all, and to love doing it!

St. Albert’s Choirs
   All choral members and instrumentalists meet to rehearse as one large group, and then break into smaller groups to lead the singing at the three weekend Masses and special Liturgies throughout the Liturgical Year. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings in the church from 7:00 to 8:30 or 6:45 to 8:15, with changes in accord to our involvement with the parish faith formation program, FLAME. As we draw closer to the high seasons of Christmas and Easter and the demands of our musical preparations increase, rehearsal times are extended by an additional half hour. Schedules are listed in the bulletin, and announcements for changes in scheduling are available through Cecile Gregory, Director of Liturgy & Music.

Cantors
   The cantor’s role is twofold. Cantors proclaim the Psalm musically from the ambo and invite the assembly to join in singing the Psalm refrains; they also lead in the Alleluia and Gospel Acclamation, which focuses our attention on the message of the Gospel which follows. In addition to the solo roles taken in singing the Psalm texts and the Gospel Acclamation, the cantor also serves as songleader. As songleader the cantor announces all hymn numbers and engages the assembly to join in song by gesture and voice-leading at the microphone. The entire choir leads the assembly, but the songleader reinforces in a special way. A cantor must be a skilled vocalist, have a clear voice and be willing to take on a leadership role. Cantors are part of the choir, but in addition to normal choir rehearsals, they are required to rehearse with Cecile two weeks in advance of any cantor assignment.  Additional cantor opportunities may include leading at communal penance services during Advent and Lent, and soloing at funerals or weddings.

Instrumentalists
   If you are skilled on any musical instrument, please consider joining our music ministry. Instrumentalists are welcome to play for regular weekend Liturgies, but if time constraints do not allow for weekly rehearsal attendance on Wednesday nights, consider volunteering your God-given gifts for special Masses at Christmas, Lent or Easter.

Sunday Morning 8:00 Mass Group
   If this is the Mass time that you prefer, please arrive by 7:30 to warm-up before Mass; cantors arrive by 7:15.

Sunday Morning 10:30 Mass Group
If this is the Mass time that you prefer, please arrive by 10:00 to warm-up before Mass; cantors arrive by 9:45.

Saturday Evening Mass Group (4:00 or 5:00, depending on the Season)
If this is the Mass time that you prefer, please arrive by 3:30/4:30 to warm-up before Mass; cantors arrive by 3:15/4:15. This is usually our smallest choral group, but we would like to see this GROW! We welcome new members!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN? WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?
   if you are interested in any of these Ministries, please stop by and say hello to Mrs. Cecile Gregory after Mass or contact her as follows:

Cecile Gregory
Director of Liturgy & Music
837-3798 Ext 25
cecile@saintalberts.org


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2420 St. Albert Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Phone 608-837-3798   Fax 608-837-8576

For additions / deletions / changes to this website, e-mail paul@saintalberts.org