Liturgy & Music
The gift of your time and talents offered as a Liturgical Minister is a valuable asset to our Parish Family. You are truly an example of Christian Stewardship and what it means to live out our Faith.
Ushers
Ushers are responsible for preparing the worship area, greeting the community, gathering the community’s offering, and seating people.
Contacts:
OLV - Joe Nerone
StR - Geno Genovese
Filipino - Dory Hey
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God to the assembled community at all liturgies. By prayerful preparation for this ministry, they strive to engage the assembly in a living experience of the Word of God and of the presence of Christ in each celebration.
Contacts:
OLV - Carol Foster
StR - Sandy Angelle
Filipino - Nympha Hilario
Eucharistic Ministers
Extra-ordinary Ministers are invited into the sanctuary to assist the priest (who is the "ordinary" minister of communion) in the distribution of the Eucharist during Mass. Eucharistic Ministers serve the Precious Body and Blood during Holy Communion at Mass.
Contacts:
OLV - Marilyn Cyrnek
StR - Darlene Nowak
Music Ministers
Our combined parishes’ music ministry primarily consists of volunteers who actively participate in supporting our masses with a balanced blend of both contemporary and traditional music that attempts to respectfully serve all parishioners, not just a specific genre or age group.
We are called to participate in music and song.
The Church encourages playing and singing in her liturgy. Our Catechism promotes this with the statement: “[t]he musical tradition of the universal Church…a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.” (CCC 1156)
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal calls for the singing of, particularly, the Responsorial Psalm refrain. The definition of a psalm is, in fact, a hymn.
Interested?
We have opportunities for singers and musicians at all levels to join us in worshiping in song at both the Our Lady of the Valley and St. Raphael parishes for any offered masses, and even special masses and other celebrations. When you choose to participate is up to your schedule. Choir practice is normally provided weekly at Our Lady of the Valley at 5:00pm each Wednesday. If you are considering it, but you are unsure of your abilities, or just shy, feel free to join us and see what it is all about and how it feels – no judgement! There is no need to put you directly in front of a mic, or plug in your instruments until you are ready.
Contacts:
Mark Mellis, Director of Music, mmellis@olvstr.net
Our Lady of the Valley - 602-993-1213
St. Raphael - 602-938-4227
Filipino - Malou Aranas
Altar Servers
Altar Servers assist the priest during the Masses year-round. They are responsible for lighting candles, carrying the crucifix in processions, lighting and using the thurible, holding the Roman Missal for the celebrant, assisting the priest in the preparation of the altar, and other duties in order to ensure that the Mass flows smoothly.
Youth who have received their sacraments take an active role in assisting the priest and deacon during Mass.
Contacts:
OLV -
StR - Rusty and Carmen Dudley
Filipino -
Sacristan
This ministry serves on Monday morning after daily Mass by cleaning the Sacristy from the previous week and preparing for Masses to be celebrated during the coming week. A proper host count is part of this service.
Contacts:
OLV - Diane Nerone
OLV (Daily) - Louise Precosky
StR - Cheryl Delgado
StR (Daily) - Rosario Esparza
Children's Liturgy of the Word
During Children's Liturgy of the Word, children are dismissed after the opening prayer to a separate room with volunteer leaders, where they listen to scripture, engage in activities, and learn about the readings before rejoining their families for the rest of the Mass.
Contacts:
OLV -
StR - Jessica de Guzman
Filipino - Becky Hannah