These parishioners are altar servers and Eucharistic Ministers, when needed, at funerals in our church.
Every Tuesday after 8:00 am mass at St. Christopher, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration. The Adoration Ministry makes sure that Jesus is never alone during this time. There are Regular Adorers who spend 1 or more half-hour shifts in prayer and meditation throughout the day. Then, at 7pm, there is a Novena to the Miraculous Medal and Benediction with one of our Deacons. Our Regular Adorers commit to spend this time with Jesus and sign up in advance for the time slots of their choice. We like to have at least 2 Regular Adorers for each time slot and are always in need of more! We also need people to volunteer to be substitute Adorers. When there is an opening in the regular Tuesday schedule, an email is sent out to our sub list to ask for coverage. There are many other people who drop in throughout the day just to spend whatever time they have in Adoration. There are no regular meetings for Adoration Ministry, and all signing up for time slots for the next week is done at church when you are there for Adoration for the current week. We welcome people who would like to commit to be Regular Adorers or be on our Substitute List. To sign up or get more information, please leave a message for Anita Herr at the rectory or email her at aherr@saintchris.org.
Altar servers are girls and boys who are in the 4th grade or older. After training sessions, they serve at weekend Masses. Students from St. Christopher School serve the 8 AM weekday school Mass.
The mission and purpose of the environment committee follows the ‘guidelines in guide for ministers of liturgical environment’ by Mary Patricia Storms and Paul Turner. The committee has been established to enhance the environment of the church in such a way that it draws the faithful more fully into prayer and enhance religious worship. The foundation for this liturgical environment committee takes its inspiration from the seasons, memorials, feasts, and solemnities of the church year largely through the use of plants, flowers and other appropriate enhancements. It is considered one of the hidden ministries of the church, mostly done when the church is empty.
We don't have formal meetings for the most part. The committee is driven by the Liturgical Seasons. We "meet" any time that the decor of the church needs to be addressed or changed.
The type of commitment is also driven by the seasons.
Our committee is made up of various people, male and female each bringing to the ministry their own unique talents whether it be designing, moving items into position for the designers, loading up our decor items that are stored in the large garage and bringing them over to church, being able to work in a team environment to do whatever is needed to prepare our worship spaces for these seasons. Feel free to contact Mary Dixon and Deacon Tom if interested is joining this ministry.
Eucharistic Ministers assist the priests and deacons in the distribution of Holy Communion at weekday and weekend Masses. A special diocesan training session prepares individuals, adults and youth who have been confirmed for this special ministry. Those who are able also bring the Eucharist to the homebound, please see St. Christopher Visitors below.
If you are interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, you must apply through our Parish Office and then attend a diocesan training program.
The Liturgy Committee promotes the worship of God, the prayer life of the parish community as disciples of Christ and their participation in liturgical ministries throughout the liturgical year.
Members of the Liturgy Committee plan liturgies for the main liturgical seasons of the year, for special events, such as blessing of animals and Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation Services and Communal celebrations of the Anointing of the Sick.
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at weekend and holy day masses. Each lector receives a workbook which includes the readings, special notes, and explanations to help you better understand what you are reading and where to place emphasis. Lectors can select their preferred weekend mass time. Lectors typically proclaim 1-2 times a month.
New lectors will attend 2 training sessions, plus work with a mentor for additional support.
If you are interested in becoming a lector or if you have any questions, please contact Gennie Rounds at 716-553-4497.
These men, women and students greet people at the doors of the church before the weekend Masses.
Individuals minister to our ill and homebound parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes, rehab, Hospice or their own homes. These ministers bring Holy Communion to the sick or simply visit our homebound parishioners if that is what is desired.
Men and women who hospitably serve the worshipping community by seating people, taking up the offertory collection, organizing the Gift Procession and assisting in a variety of ways.