At the heart of St. Clare parish is its liturgical worship, most importantly our Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. Great care is taken to provide for celebrations that encourage the “full, conscious, and active participation” envisioned by the documents of Vatican II. A large number of parishioners are involved in liturgical ministry as lector, eucharistic ministers, ushers, greeters, servers, gift bearers, and bread bakers. We have an active music ministry composed of several instrumentalists and three choirs: our Children’s Choir, our 9:15am Mass “Celebration Choir”, and our 11:00am Mass “Joyful Noise”. Parishioner involvement in our liturgical life is central to membership at St. Clare. If you are looking for a parish community to call home, we invite you to visit us. You are always welcome!
Art & Environment This committee is responsible for enhancing our worship space by decorating the church for each Liturgical season. Extensive help is needed at the beginning of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons. Contact Person: Leslie Goldberg, 624-1020
Altar Angels Altar Angels serve God through cleaning the church. They wash the sacramental vessels, altar linens and robes, and dust and vacuum the church. Four weekly cleaning crews rotate these responsibilities. Contact Person: Bette Lehman, 632-6249
Liturgy of the Word for Children At the 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Masses during the school year children in Grades K-3 gather after the Opening Prayer to hear and discuss the scriptures proclaimed at their level. They rejoin their parents at the Preparation of Gifts. Registration is requested. Contact Person: Paula Semko, 233-4893
Ministers of the Eucharist to the Sick & Homebound Ministers of the Eucharist take Communion to the sick and homebound, bringing the parish to the sick and reminding them of their place in the Body of Christ. Two training classes and one annual renewal session on the Eucharist are required. Contact Person: Joe Burroughs, 632-3736
Ministers of Holy Communion Ministers of the Eucharist (age 17 and older) distribute Communion at all weekend Masses. Two training sessions and one annual theology class are required. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Bread Bakers Bread bakers prepare Eucharistic bread for Sunday Masses throughout the year. A specific recipe is provided. Volunteers are assigned on a rotating basis. Contact Person: Dawn Spain, 628-3239
Altar Servers Men and women, and boys and girls in fifth grade and above assist the priest in serving the Mass. Training sessions are required for new servers. Contact Person: Toni Stanton, 632-3119
Banner Bearers Adults and Jr. High—High School Youth are needed to carry banners in procession for liturgical prayer. A simple orientation is required. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Lectors Lectors proclaim the Word of God during the Mass. Lectors need a good speaking voice, projection ability and willingness to study scripture. A yearly two-hour in-service training in scripture and periodic practice sessions are required; new lectors also attend an orientation session. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Ushers—Ministers of Hospitality Ushers provide a hospitable atmosphere by seating people, taking up the collection and responding to people’s needs. High school students and adults, both male and female, are needed. A training session is required. Contact Person: Ken & Jeanne Kenney, 632-3155
Greeters—Ministers of Hospitality Greeters help people feel welcome at our Sunday liturgies and assist new people in becoming familiar with parish facilities. A training session is required. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Gift Bearers Gift bearers represent the assembly and present their gifts at the altar at each Sunday Mass. An orientation is required. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Liturgical Dancers Liturgical dancers provide sacred movement for special seasons and feasts. Dancers must be at least in the 5th grade and possess basic abilities in terms of rhythmic movement and graceful presence. Practices are held regularly throughout the year. Contact Person: Winnie Kenney, 628-4477
Instrumentalists We welcome all instrumentalists (wind, string, brass and percussion), youth and adults, for liturgies throughout the year. Practices are held as needed. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Cantors The role of the cantor is to sing the psalm, read the Prayers of the Faithful and lead the assembly in song for liturgical prayer. Cantors are encouraged to be choir members also. Weekly practices are held. Young people in Grades 7-9 may apply to be cantors-in-training. Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
CHOIRS: Contact Person: Sr. Carolyn McWatters, 632-3562
Celebration Choir-provides music at one of our Sunday Masses. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:15-9:00 p.m. Open to persons high school age and up.
Joyful Noise-a more contemporary group which provides music for one of our Sunday Masses. Rehearsals are held bi-monthly. Open to persons high school age and up.
‘Mustard Seed’ Children’s Choir-sings at one 5:00 Mass per month during the school year. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45. Open to children in Grades 3-8.
Funeral Choir-members of this group are available to provide support to grieving families by singing for funeral Masses (which are ordinarily held on weekday mornings). Periodic practices are held.