Church of the Ascension, Baltimore, Maryland

LITURGY & MUSIC MINISTRIES

ADULT CHOIR

The Adult Choir contributes to the worship of God through well prepared and presented song-prayer and instrumentals.

The Choir

performs at the 10:00 a.m. Mass On Sundays from September to Mothers Day and at special liturgies—such as holy week, graduation, etc.
Rehearses on Thursday evenings from September through May
Does not sing one weekend per month

Membership is open to volunteers. We invite you to join. Contact Bonnie Kabara through the Parish Office.

ALTAR SERVERS
Altar Servers perform a special a privileged role in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy by assisting the celebrant and attending to the altar. Young people in the fifth grade or higher are invited join and serve as altar servers. They must be registered in the parish and have received First Eucharist. We invite young girls and boys to participate in this special ministry, please contact Fr. Adam at 410-242-2292.

ALTAR SOCIETY
Members of the Altar Society maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the liturgical worship space.

Members of the Altar Society add to the sacredness and dignity of liturgies by:

Cleaning the sacristy and church
Maintaining the plants and flowers
Assuring the church is presentable

This group meets in church on Friday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The members can always use your help for either a short or long term. To volunteer, contact Mary Murphy through the Parish Office.

CANTORS
Cantors enhance the beauty of the Liturgy by leading the congregation in song-prayer and by singing some liturgical responses.

Cantors:

Are usually invited to join by the Music Director
Must complete an audition
Range in age from high school student to senior citizen
Meet once a month
Sing two or three times per month at weekend Masses

Cantors must have the ability to lead the congregation in song. To become a cantor, contact Bonnie Kabara through the Parish Office.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The young people of The Children’s Choir bring a freshness and innocence to the to the liturgical worship of God by singing and other participation at five special liturgies during the year. Participants of this group are usually in Grades 2 through 8. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings a week or two before the liturgy. To join keep an eye on the church bulletins or contact Bonnie Kabara through the Parish Office.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY COMMITTEE
The members of the Children’s Liturgy Committee create opportunities for the children of the parish to more meaningfully express worship and to participate in the liturgical and evangelical life of the Parish. The children of the parish:

Participate in special children liturgies at Christmas and Easter
Work on meaningful Advent and Lenten projects connected to the theme for the year
Add to the decorations of the church
Sing in the Children’s Choir for special liturgies
Read appropriate meditations after communion
Present meaningful Offertory gifts, or handouts after Mass to highlight special occasions
Participate in other parish related events, such as

Making family Advent wreaths
Christmas caroling
The Blessing of Bikes
The Blessing of Easter Food Baskets
Collecting dyed eggs for Beans and Bread
Many other activities

The committee meets once a month from September through May and hold a summer meeting to develop a plan for the following year and to socialize.

This committee works in close coordination with the Liturgy Committee and other Parish Committees. The Person to contact is Mrs. Pat Moon through the Parish Office

EUCHARIST MINISTERS
Eucharist Ministers have the sacred responsibility and privilege to help in the celebration of the Liturgy by distributing the Holy Eucharist. Some ministers take Holy Eucharist to shut-ins. Parishioners who are practicing Catholics are invited to become a Eucharist Minister. Sr. Mary Catherine provides instruction. If you would like to be considered for this ministry, please call the parish office at 410.242.2292.

LECTORS
Lectors are ministers of the Mass with the profound and sacred responsibility to proclaim God’s Word to the people during the Liturgy. Parishioners are welcome to participate in this ministry. For more information, contact the Parish Center at 410.242.2292 to reach Bert Pinheiro.

LITURGY COMMITTEE
The Liturgy Committee is composed of parishioners who meet monthly to plan activities to enhance and promote the spiritual life of the parish community and to plan for and decorate the church throughout the seasons of the year. Any parishioner is welcome to join. For more information or to join, contact Tom Pugh through the Parish Center.

USHERS
Ushers welcome parishioners to the church assembly, help maintain the etiquette, monitor the physical order of the worship space, and assist worshipers during the liturgy. Ushers

Welcome people to the church
Assist in the seating of worshippers
Direct the flow of people during communion and at other times during the service
Collect and are responsible for the offertory collection
Distribute bulletins and other handouts
In an emergency, are responsible for contacting the appropriate authorities and, if needed, overseeing the orderly evacuation of the church

New ushers are always welcome. If you would like to consider ushering, please contact Phil Rizzo through the Parish Center at 410.242.2292.