Prayer and Worship Ministries
To volunteer or be considered for any of these ministries, please contact the parish office at 518-765-2805 or submit the ministry form.
Altar Linen Ministry – Small acts of kindness sometimes go unnoticed, yet they often have a big impact. Such is the case with the Altar Linen Ministry. Members of this ministry launder the linens used in liturgical celebrations.
Altar Server - All children and youth who have received their First Communion are welcome to join St. Matthew's team of altar servers. Altar servers provide important assistance to the celebrant in a liturgical service.
Eucharistic Adoration - "This - The Eucharist - the whole Christ" is His gift to all. Whether you are young or old, sick or healthy, poor or rich, by partaking in Eucharistic Adoration, you can reap immense spiritual blessings in your life. Eucharistic Adoration occurs on the First Friday of every month after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4:00 PM with Benediction at 3:45 PM. Anyone who can offer some time to be present during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is invited to participate in this ministry.
Eucharistic Minister - At the heart of the Mass is our community's feast at the banquet of the Lord. Eucharistic ministers serve our community at this banquet by assisting the priest in distributing the body and blood of Christ at communion time. Additionally, some eucharistic ministers choose to bring communion to those who are ill, or otherwise unable to attend Mass.
Funeral Ministry – Catholics believe burying the dead is a holy work of mercy. Members of the funeral ministry do this holy work by serving as lectors, eucharistic ministers, or other functions necessary for the celebration of the Rite of Christian Burial when funerals are held at St. Matthew's.
Greeters - Our Ministers of Hospitality at weekend liturgies. They greet people and hand out worship programs as people enter the church and wish them well as they leave.
Lector – Lectors proclaim biblical readings and lead the community in the Prayer of the Faithful during Mass. Lectors use their public speaking gifts to bring the word of God to life in our minds and our hearts.
Liturgy Committee – This committee is tasked with creatively planning for the liturgical seasons and for special celebrations. This committee is also charged with making sure that the liturgical life of the community stays vital and vibrant. Members of the committee commit to a three year term renewable once. The Liturgy Committee's Mission Statement is the following: "With faith in Jesus Christ and united to His mission on earth, the Liturgy Committee of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic community works to foster and promote the 'full, conscious and active participation' of all parishioners in our liturgical and devotional life through the rituals and traditions of the church."
Music Ministry – Have you heard the saying, "He who sings prays twice"? St. Matthew's choir welcomes both instrumentalists and vocalists to enhance our communal prayer experiences at liturgical celebrations. Members of this ministry meet weekly on Wednesday evenings for practice.
Prayer Chain Ministry – One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is the gift of prayer. Members of the prayer chain ministry offer the gift of prayers for the special needs of parishioners.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – Members of the prayer shawl ministry lovingly and prayerfully knit and crochet shawls and blankets to celebrate joyous occasions (such as a baptism) and provide comfort during difficult times (such as the passing of a loved one) in the lives of our fellow parishioners. Whether you are a veteran knitter or just starting out, all are welcome to our monthly gatherings.
Resurrection Choir - Catholics believe burying the dead is a holy work of mercy. The resurrection choir performs this holy work by providing the music at funeral liturgies.
Sacristan – Sacristans provide crucial, behind the scenes support to ensure the smooth running of the celebration of the Mass. The sacristan arranges the liturgical books, ensures there is a sufficient amount of hosts and wine and other things necessary for this celebration. The sacristan also makes sure that the Lectors, Ushers and Eucharistic Ministers assigned to the liturgy are present and ready to perform their duties.
Usher – Ushers are the stewards who collect our community's gifts and serve the community at our liturgical celebrations. They pass the collection basket for the weekly offering at Mass and distribute the bulletin at the end of the liturgy. At a larger liturgy, they may be asked to help find seating for people attending the service.
Word of God Faith Sharing - This group of parishioners meets weekly to discuss and reflect on the readings for the upcoming weekend liturgy. They attempt to discover the message God has for each one of us, for the group as a whole and how they can apply these messages to their daily lives. Learn more about Word of God Faith Sharing.
Altar Linen Ministry – Small acts of kindness sometimes go unnoticed, yet they often have a big impact. Such is the case with the Altar Linen Ministry. Members of this ministry launder the linens used in liturgical celebrations.
Altar Server - All children and youth who have received their First Communion are welcome to join St. Matthew's team of altar servers. Altar servers provide important assistance to the celebrant in a liturgical service.
Eucharistic Adoration - "This - The Eucharist - the whole Christ" is His gift to all. Whether you are young or old, sick or healthy, poor or rich, by partaking in Eucharistic Adoration, you can reap immense spiritual blessings in your life. Eucharistic Adoration occurs on the First Friday of every month after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4:00 PM with Benediction at 3:45 PM. Anyone who can offer some time to be present during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is invited to participate in this ministry.
Eucharistic Minister - At the heart of the Mass is our community's feast at the banquet of the Lord. Eucharistic ministers serve our community at this banquet by assisting the priest in distributing the body and blood of Christ at communion time. Additionally, some eucharistic ministers choose to bring communion to those who are ill, or otherwise unable to attend Mass.
Funeral Ministry – Catholics believe burying the dead is a holy work of mercy. Members of the funeral ministry do this holy work by serving as lectors, eucharistic ministers, or other functions necessary for the celebration of the Rite of Christian Burial when funerals are held at St. Matthew's.
Greeters - Our Ministers of Hospitality at weekend liturgies. They greet people and hand out worship programs as people enter the church and wish them well as they leave.
Lector – Lectors proclaim biblical readings and lead the community in the Prayer of the Faithful during Mass. Lectors use their public speaking gifts to bring the word of God to life in our minds and our hearts.
Liturgy Committee – This committee is tasked with creatively planning for the liturgical seasons and for special celebrations. This committee is also charged with making sure that the liturgical life of the community stays vital and vibrant. Members of the committee commit to a three year term renewable once. The Liturgy Committee's Mission Statement is the following: "With faith in Jesus Christ and united to His mission on earth, the Liturgy Committee of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic community works to foster and promote the 'full, conscious and active participation' of all parishioners in our liturgical and devotional life through the rituals and traditions of the church."
Music Ministry – Have you heard the saying, "He who sings prays twice"? St. Matthew's choir welcomes both instrumentalists and vocalists to enhance our communal prayer experiences at liturgical celebrations. Members of this ministry meet weekly on Wednesday evenings for practice.
Prayer Chain Ministry – One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is the gift of prayer. Members of the prayer chain ministry offer the gift of prayers for the special needs of parishioners.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – Members of the prayer shawl ministry lovingly and prayerfully knit and crochet shawls and blankets to celebrate joyous occasions (such as a baptism) and provide comfort during difficult times (such as the passing of a loved one) in the lives of our fellow parishioners. Whether you are a veteran knitter or just starting out, all are welcome to our monthly gatherings.
Resurrection Choir - Catholics believe burying the dead is a holy work of mercy. The resurrection choir performs this holy work by providing the music at funeral liturgies.
Sacristan – Sacristans provide crucial, behind the scenes support to ensure the smooth running of the celebration of the Mass. The sacristan arranges the liturgical books, ensures there is a sufficient amount of hosts and wine and other things necessary for this celebration. The sacristan also makes sure that the Lectors, Ushers and Eucharistic Ministers assigned to the liturgy are present and ready to perform their duties.
Usher – Ushers are the stewards who collect our community's gifts and serve the community at our liturgical celebrations. They pass the collection basket for the weekly offering at Mass and distribute the bulletin at the end of the liturgy. At a larger liturgy, they may be asked to help find seating for people attending the service.
Word of God Faith Sharing - This group of parishioners meets weekly to discuss and reflect on the readings for the upcoming weekend liturgy. They attempt to discover the message God has for each one of us, for the group as a whole and how they can apply these messages to their daily lives. Learn more about Word of God Faith Sharing.