Liturgical Ministers
All are welcome to be involved in serving at the Table of Worship!
Learn more about the ministries and share your talents with the community of St. Margaret Mary. Each ministry group has a coordinator who schedules and assists with the formation of ministries. To join a ministry or for further information, contact Mary Murphy, Director of Music and Liturgy at mmurphy@smmlb.org or 724-335-2336.
Lectors
Lectors are the ministers of the Word, responsible for proclaiming the first and second readings, introducing hymns, and reading the petitions and announcements during liturgies. Training sessions are held throughout the year. Each reader is given a workbook, which includes the year's scripture readings and explains effective reading techniques. New readers are welcome at any time and are scheduled approximately once a month. In addition to adults, Youth in grades 4 and above are welcome to inquire about becoming a lector. Click here for the link to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website where you can access the daily readings.
Altar Servers
These people serve the parish community by assisting at weekend and weekday liturgies. Training is held yearly for youth, age 10 and above, who serve at weekend liturgies and on an as needed basis for adults who serve at daily Mass and funerals.
Greeters
Greeters serve as a model for all as they offer hospitality and a warm welcome to all who come to worship at SMM parish. They are scheduled to serve at weekend liturgies and special services. New greeters are welcome at any time. In addition to adults, Families and/or Youth are welcome to inquire about becoming greeters.
Ushers
Ushers are ministers of hospitality. These men and women assist the Assembly by helping people find seats, taking up the collection, directing the flow of people during communion and distributing the parish bulletins as people leave at the end of Mass. In general, they are concerned about the good order and comfort of the Assembly and are serving signs of God's presence among us. In addition to adults, Families and/or Youth are welcome to inquire about becoming ushers.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) distribute the Holy Eucharist during parish liturgies. All ministers are commissioned and participate in formation and training prior to serving. (Re)Commissioning and an annual formation are required.
Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound bring the Holy Eucharist to people living in nursing homes and to people who cannot leave their homes. This is a wonderful ministry to the sick and infirm. (Re)Commissioning is required. Formation and training are required annually and prior to serving.
Click here for the Procedures for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC’s) February 2018, revised.
St Anne and Joachim Ministry (Mass at the Care Centers)
This ministry accompanies the Pastor as he celebrates Mass once a month at Belair Nursing Home and once a month at Logan Place. People serve as altar servers, lectors, singers, musicians, EMHCs, and EMHCs who bring the Holy Eucharist to residents in their rooms when they are unable to take part in the Mass.
Sacristans
A sacristan assists in the preparations needed for daily, weekend, holy day, wedding, and funeral Masses. There is a team of sacristans who serve.
Candle Bearers for Funerals
Members of the Candle Bearer Ministry attend funerals at St. Margaret Mary Church and hold candles during the entrance procession and procession to the place of committal. They line up and hold candles as the Priest, liturgical ministers, family, and body of the deceased enter the nave of the Church and leave the Church.
Art and Environment
The Art and Environment team assists with adding beauty and solemnity to the church environment during various liturgical seasons.