"There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord..." --Corinthians 12:5
Liturgical Ministers are lay ministers who are part of the Church’s Liturgical celebrations, i.e., Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (also known as Eucharistic Ministers), Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers, and Music Ministers (Musicians, Cantors, Choirs). We have also included in this section: 1) Sacristans and 2) the Altar Society who, although not participants in the Liturgies themselves, do so much to help prepare for the celebration of our Liturgies.
What is a Minister? In the Catholic Church the term minister enjoys a variety of usages. It most commonly refers to a lay person who is commissioned to perform some act on behalf of the Church. It is not a particular office or rank of Catholic clergy, as is the case in some Protestant churches, but minister may be used as a collective term for vocational or professional pastoral leaders including clergy (bishops, deacons, priests) and non-clergy (theologians andlay ecclesial ministers).
It is also used in reference to the canonical and liturgical administration of Sacraments, as part of some offices, and with reference to the exercise of the lay apostolate. Scripturally, various passages utilize the language of servant ("ministri") to indicate those charged with spiritual functions or pastoral care of the community (1 Corinthians 4:1–2; Hebrews 8:2; Matthew 20:26, etc.).
In a general sense, any Christian exercising a ministry is a minister. Since all the baptized are part of the universal priesthood, whenever they engage in their vocation to evangelize the world and to help those in need, they are ministers. In addition, the Church calls people to the responsible stewardship of their time and talent in support of the Church. This often takes the form of volunteering for a specific lay ministry, most of which are liturgical, catechetical, or related to pastoral care or social justice.
"Whoever eats my Body and drinks my Blood will live forever."
If you are interested in serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the altar (during Mass), please contact our Deacon Couple at (626) 282-2744, ext. 333.
If you would like to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to the Sick (the shut-ins in our parish), please contact Fred and Margaret Padilla at (626) 282-0943.
Please let us know if there is someone who is confined to his or her home and unable to attend Mass with us on Sundays. We would be happy to arrange to have one of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring Our Lord to those persons on a weekly basis (normally on the weekend). Please call the parish office at (626) 282-2744 and give us the person's information.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are essential to the reverent sharing of the Eucharist. Ordinary Ministers (bishops, priests, deacons) need assistance to make sure that all the faithful are able to share in this precious Sacrament. In serving the faithful in these ministries, the Extraordinary Ministers are helping to build up the Church. Extraordinary Ministers must be trained to minister in the parish; they should also have training from the Archdiocese.
This ministry brings the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to the Congregation and to the homebound. Service is normally required once each week for ministry at Mass and/or six times each year for home visits to the sick. Baptized and Confirmed parishioners of mature age are eligible to serve. They should be persons who sincerely try to live the Gospel message in their communal and individual lives, and faithfully participate in the Sunday Eucharist.
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” --Luke 11:28
If you are interested in serving as a Lector, please leave a message for Lorraine Mizerski at the office by calling (626) 282-2744, ext. 333.
Those who proclaim God's Word in the liturgy are known as Ministers of the Word or Lectors. The Lector, in proclaiming the Word at Mass, is the modern day Breath of God who breathes God's word to strengthen the community. Answering the call to become a lector enters one into a deeper relationship with God as He is revealed in Sacred Scripture.
Baptized and Confirmed parishioners of mature age are eligible to serve. They should be persons who sincerely try to live the Gospel message in their communal and individual lives, and faithfully participate in the Sunday Eucharist.
Lectors must be trained on the parish level, and should also have training from the Archdiocese. Lectors will prepare and proclaim God's Word for assigned liturgies, including the General Intercessions (or “Prayers of the Faithful”). Lectors are required to keep up with current lector guidelines, and to continuously work to improve their speaking and presentation skills. A workbook will be provided to each lector which contains all the readings for the year and key points on how to best proclaim them. The time commitment includes two Masses per month plus preparation time.
"I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." --Psalms 84:10
Our ushers welcome the members of our Parish to Mass, select volunteers to take up the gifts, collect the Mass offerings, and hand out bulletins to those exiting the church after Mass. Four to six ushers are assigned to each of our Sunday and Saturday evening Masses.
If you are interested in becoming a St. Therese Usher, please contact the Coordinator, Damon Ayala.
Do you not know that those who… serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? --1 Corinthians 9:13
Altar service is open to boys entering or currently in the 3rd Grade or higher. Servers are trained to assist the priests at Sunday Masses, weekday Masses and *School Masses (*if students attend St. Therese School), as well as at Benediction services, processions, Stations of the Cross, weddings, and funerals. Girls are welcomed to join the Sacristan Ministry.
Servers are dedicated, responsible and arrive early for Mass. Involvement in Altar Server Ministry requires attendance at any TRAINING SESSIONS. Altar Server training for NEW SERVERS (entering 3rd Grade or above) is held on a regular basis. All new servers and a parent must attend these training sessions in order to be put on the schedule.
If your son is interested in joining this privileged ministry, please contact Fr. Thomas at (626) 282-2744, ext. 222, or Email Fr. Thomas.
There are currently two choirs at St. Therese Church. The first choir is our Parish Choir (Traditional Choir, directed by Andrew Coyne), which sings at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, and practices on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. The second is our Gregorian Choir, which sings at the Latin Mass at 1:00 p.m.
Parish Choir (Traditional)
11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass
Our Parish Choir, also known as the Traditional Choir, sings at the Sunday 11:00 a.m. Mass, and practices on Wednesday evenings. Their repertoire consists of singing traditional Catholic hymns as well as Latin hymns and Liturgical music, all accompanied by organ music.
If interested in joining this choir, please contact the Choir Director, Andrew Coyne.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honor him. --John 12:26
Sacristans assist our Priests & Deacon by preparing all the necessary items prior to each Mass, and facilitating the service. Volunteers commit to two hours per Mass. Training will be provided. If you are interested, please Email Florence Goh or call at (626) 282-2744, ext. 224.
“Zeal for your house has consumed me.” --Psalms 69:9
The Altar Society is a group of parishioners pledged to the care and upkeep of the Sanctuary and the Sacristy. Our goal is to maintain our altar and sanctuary in a manner which exemplifies the glory of God. Work in this ministry includes the care and cleaning of all altar linens, vestments, church candles and flowers; and the tidying of the church on a regular basis.
For more information, please contact Giovanna Setiady at (626) 281-9049.
DEDICATE A FLORAL ARRANGEMENT AND BEAUTIFY THE CHURCH AT THE SAME TIME!
If you would like to honor or memorialize a loved one AND help to beautify the church at the same time, then take advantage of our Floral Dedication Program. You may choose the kind of flowers and the colors for not only memorial remembrances, but also for anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, weddings, baptisms, get-well wishes, etc.
For each dedication, a notice will be posted in the bulletin (on Page Six, the Mass Intentions page) under “Floral Dedication” and will include your loved one’s name and the occasion.Bouquets are $40 and up for each dedication (actual cost of the flowers). In order to schedule a memorial or a dedication, please contact Giovanna Setiady at 281-9049.
