Liturgical Ministries

Overview

The Second Vatican Council called the whole Church to reflect on the role of the laity in the Church. It reminded us that all Christians, by virtue of their baptism, are called to spread the gospel, to continue the work of building the Kingdom of God, and, most especially, to offer worship.

The laity have the privilege and duty to spread the message of salvation so that it may be known and accepted by all people throughout the world. We are challenged to apply the gospel to the concrete situations and actual circumstances of our lives. According to the Church, the source from which we draw in order to accomplish this work is the liturgy (i.e., what takes place when a community gathers for Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, or the sacraments). For the work of the Church to continue most effectively, therefore, lay women and men must have the opportunity for liturgical education, enabling them to enter into full, active, and conscious participation in the liturgy.

In order to accomplish this goal the Liturgical Studies Program at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center will provide:

• All Catholic students with the opportunity to regularly celebrate vibrant, faith-enriching liturgy
• Liturgical training, spiritual formation, and theological education for students as liturgical ministers and lay leaders in their future parishes

Liturgical Ministries

All students are invited and encouraged to share their talents and interests with the St. Lawrence community by becoming involved in a liturgical ministry.

• Altar server - serves the community by assisting at the altar
• Eucharistic minister - shares the Body and Blood of Christ with the community assembled for Mass
• Lector - proclaims the scripture readings to the assembled faith community preparation for liturgies
• Usher/Greeter - welcomes the faithful as they arrive for Mass
• Sacristan - prepares the chapel for Mass and returns the sacred objects used during the liturgy to the sacristy after Mass

Lay ministers will receive liturgical training, theological education and spiritual formation pertaining specifically to the ministry in which they are involved. Liturgical ministries at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center are open to all Catholic students, faculty and staff at the University of Kansas.