Office: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12–1)

MinistriesLiturgical Ministries

Liturgical Ministries

Lectors, Communion ministers, altar servers, ushers, sacristans, art and environment, children's liturgy leaders and musicians — the people who make Sunday happen.

About 180 parishioners serve at the altar, the ambo, the doors and behind the scenes each week. Most serve once or twice a month on a rota published two months ahead; all are trained and commissioned by the pastor. If you attend Mass regularly, you are qualified to begin.

Lectors

Role: proclaim the first and second readings and the prayers of the faithful · Commitment: one Mass a month · Training: a two-hour workshop twice a year · Screening: low risk

Clear voice, preparation at home with the readings sent a week ahead. Teens from Grade 9 welcome.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Role: assist with Communion at Mass; bring Communion to the sick · Commitment: two Masses a month · Training: archdiocesan session plus parish practice · Screening: high risk (for home visits)

Confirmed Catholics in good standing, commissioned for three years.

Altar Servers

Role: serve at the altar · Ages: Grade 3 to adult · Training: three sessions · Screening: adults, low risk

Monthly rota; weddings and funerals by sign-up.

Altar servers

Ushers & Greeters

Role: welcome, seat, take up the collection, assist in emergencies · Commitment: one Mass a month · Training: one evening including first aid orientation · Screening: low risk

Hospitality

Sacristans

Role: prepare vessels, vestments, books and candles before Mass; care for the sanctuary and linens · Commitment: weekly · Training: one-to-one with the head sacristan · Screening: low risk

Art & Environment

Role: flowers, banners and seasonal decoration · Commitment: six or seven Saturdays a year · Screening: low risk

Gardeners and anyone with an eye for colour.

Children's Liturgy Leaders

Role: lead the children's Liturgy of the Word at 11:00 AM · Commitment: one Sunday a month · Training: archdiocesan course · Screening: high risk

Children & families

Music

Choirs, cantors, instrumentalists

Music ministry

Livestream & sound

Role: run the camera and sound desk at the 11:00 AM Mass · Commitment: one Sunday a month · Training: two sessions · Screening: low risk

Teens and adults comfortable with technology.

A priest holding the chalice

How it works

  1. Fill in the form below or speak to any priest after Mass.
  2. The ministry coordinator calls you within two weeks and invites you to the next training.
  3. Complete screening at the level shown above (a form for low-risk ministries; a police check for high-risk ones).
  4. You are added to the rota and commissioned at a weekend Mass in October or February.

Sign up

I am interested in

A coordinator will contact you within two weeks.

Opens your email app so you can review and send your request.

Liturgy coordinator: Deacon Paul Ferreira, ext. 24, liturgy@stcolumbatoronto.ca.