Liturgical ministries are ways to serve people in the context of ceremonies and communal prayer. The following list describes each of the liturgical ministries and gives contact information for the coordinator of each ministry. If you would like to participate in one of these activities, get in touch with the appropriate coordinator.

Altar Servers: An altar server helps the priest at the chair and at the altar during the Mass and other liturgies. All ages are welcome as altar servers: adults, teenagers, and children in the 4th grade or higher. Coordinator: Ramona Garcia-Lovato, 247-8327.

Choir: The choir leads the assembly in uplifting their voices in prayer that is sung during weekend Masses, at weddings, funerals, and any other time the family of God unites for the celebration of prayer. Our goal is to have a choir participating in each weekend Mass. Coordinator: Terry Garza, 792-4632.

Environment Ministers: These ministers provide an environment that will promote full, conscious, and active participation by all the faithful while they are gathered for communal celebrations in our church. Coordinator: Henrietta Martinez, 344-5019.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Communion ministers offer the Holy Body and Blood of Christ to their fellow Catholics in a way that reflects God's loving concern for each individual. Coordinator: Loretta Hall, 764-9906. Click for the current Communion ministers' schedule.

Ministers to the Homebound: These Communion ministers take the Body of Christ to the homebound and those who are too ill to go to Mass. They pray and visit with these elderly and infirm people, helping them to know that they are still part of the parish community. Coordinator: Deacon Jose Lucero, 243-4628.

Hospitality Ministers: Hospitality ministers greet people in a loving, caring manner so that everyone feels at home as a member of the community. They care for the comfort of members of the congregation by proper seating of parents with small children and people in wheelchairs, and they offer any other ushering or guidance people might need. Coordinator: Henrietta Martinez, 344-5019.

Lectors: Lectors communicate the Lord's word to our parish community in an understandable manner that inspires spiritual growth. They diligently study and practice their readings, and proclaim them in a clear, moderated, and dignified manner designed to encourage the congregation to listen attentively to God's voice speaking through the proclaimer. Coordinator: Jerry Hall, 764-9906. Click for the current lector schedule.

Mayordomos: Mayordomos care for and clean the inside of the church and sacristy. They work in teams that are scheduled to clean once every four or five weeks. At San José de los Duranes, the mayordomos perform some additional tasks: unlocking the church doors for services, preparing necessary items (books, candles, water, wine, hosts, and vessels), and laundering the linens. Coordinator at San Felipe Church: Dan Sanchez, 867-0222. Coordinator at San José Mission: Dolores Schumpert, 243-3380.

Sacristan: The sacristan prepares the necessary objects for each liturgy. Tasks include lighting the candles and replacing them as necessary; setting out the books, cups, plates, bread, and wine for Mass; and clearing the items from the santuary after the liturgy. In addition to weekend Masses, sacristans prepare the altar area for weddings, funerals, and other prayer services. Contact Father Garcia, 243-4628.

There are other ways to serve your parish community besides these liturgical ministries. Some examples are evangelization, religious education of children and adults, youth ministry, and assistance to the needy through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. For more information, call the parish office at 243-4628.

Give of yourself, and receive the Lord in a special way!