Liturgical Ministries

This behind-the-scenes yet essential ministry involves the careful washing, ironing, and pressing of the altar linens and purificators used during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The way we care for sacred items reflects our reverence for the Eucharist and our gratitude for the abundant graces God gives to His Church. Through the thoughtful and diligent care of these linens, volunteers help ensure that they are prepared with the respect and attention these sacred items deserve.

This ministry offers a flexible schedule and can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

Altar Servers are boys and girls in grades 4–12 who assist the priest during Mass and help support the prayerful celebration of the liturgy. Training is required before being scheduled to serve.

Adult men and women also have the opportunity to serve at funeral Masses, helping create a reverent and prayerful worship experience for families and our faith community during times of loss.

Contact the parish office for more details at 989.732.5448 or email parishoffice@stmarycathedral.org. if you are interested in becoming an Altar Server.

Are you interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)?

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during weekend and weekday Masses. We are the Body of Christ — we are Eucharist for one another. This ministry is a meaningful way to grow in faith and serve our parish community.

Do you need to be recertified?

Please click HERE to visit our EMHC Certification page for more information.

If you feel called to serve in this special ministry, please contact the parish office at 989.732.5448 or email parishoffice@stmarycathedral.org to learn more about becoming an EMHC.

There is an option of receiving the consecrated host for those who currently abstain because of gluten sensitivities. This host will only have a trace of gluten (.01%) for these breads to be considered valid for purposes of communion. Please visit the US Catholic Bishops' website to learn more information on the Church’s response and requirements concerning gluten intolerance and liturgical norms.

This low-gluten alternative will only be offered at the communion station, which the presider occupies (directly in front of the altar). Please orient yourself near this station in preparing to receive communion; as you approach the priest during communion, very briefly tell him of your desire for the low-gluten host.

If you have further questions, contact the parish office at 989.732.5448 or email parishoffice@stmarycathedral.org.

Share the Love of Jesus Christ

Homebound Ministry provides spiritual support and fellowship to parishioners who are unable to regularly attend Mass. Through compassionate visits, meaningful connections and the distribution of Holy Communion, we help them remain connected to our parish community and experience the love and presence of Jesus Christ.

Guidelines for Bringing Holy Communion to the Homebound

In carrying the Blessed Sacrament to the homebound, hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, we are entrusted with a sacred responsibility. Church guidelines help ensure that Christ is reverently presented for the spiritual well-being of Catholics who are unable to attend Mass.

These guidelines are carefully established to protect the sanctity of the Eucharist and prevent potential abuses. Therefore, homebound ministers of the Eucharist will not receive consecrated hosts during Mass for the purpose of taking them to the homebound.

Commissioned ministers who wish to bring Holy Communion to the homebound must meet in the parish chapel following Mass. There, they will document their Communion visits and receive the necessary consecrated hosts from a designated sacristan.

Why Are We Implementing These Guidelines?

- Improve documentation and tracking of the sacramental and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters who cannot attend Mass.

- Provide opportunities for additional sacraments, including Anointing of the Sick and Confession, to be celebrated by our parish priests for those in need.

- Ensure proper training and commissioning of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who visit and distribute the Eucharist to the homebound.

- Expand our sacramental ministry by identifying Catholics who may not currently be receiving Holy Communion due to mobility limitations and improving accountability in serving them.

- Protect the sanctity of the Eucharist by preventing the misuse or mishandling of the Blessed Sacrament, whether through misunderstanding or intentional actions.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure that this sacred ministry is carried out with reverence, care and accountability.

Please contact the parish office at 989.732.5448 or email parishoffice@stmarycathedral.org to learn more about this ministry.

...When I was sick, you visited me - Matthew 25:36

The instituted ministries, opened to laymen by Pope Paul VI in 1973, exist to assist the priest in the parish, particularly in the liturgy. These men will assist particularly in the distribution of Communion and the purification of the sacred vessels.

The Diocese of Gaylord has recently started a pilot program for Instituted Acolytes. The inaugural class was instituted by Bishop Raica at St. Mary Cathedral on April 27, 2016. These ten men will serve at the Cathedral parish. “Certain ministries were established by the Church even in the most ancient times for suitably giving worship to God and for offering service to the people of God according to their needs. By these ministries, the offices to be carried out in the liturgy and the practice of charity, deemed suitable to varying circumstances, were entrusted to the faithful.” The instituted ministries, opened to laymen by Pope Paul VI in 1973, exist to assist the priest in the parish, particularly in the liturgy. These men will assist particularly in the distribution of Communion and the purification of the sacred vessels. The task of purifying the vessels — making sure that no fragments of the Body and Blood of Christ are inadvertently disposed of — was briefly entrusted to all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion as an experimental permission about a decade ago. However, that permission was not renewed, so that particular ministry is reserved for acolytes, deacons, and priests. “He will perform these functions more worthily if he participates in the Holy Eucharist with increasingly fervent devotion, receives nourishment from it, and deepens his knowledge about it.” Please pray for those answering this call to ministry, that they may grow in grace and understanding as they serve. --- Quotes from Ministeria Quaedam

A lector proclaims the Word of God at Mass and other liturgical services. It requires a desire to know God through scripture. A lector should be willing to prepare and practice assigned readings so they can be proclaimed clearly, confidently, and reverently.

Those involved in parish life through the ministry of music are comprised of Cantors, members of the Parish Choir, and the Contemporary Ensemble.

Cantor

The cantor leads the singing of the assembly at weekend liturgies, holy days, funerals, weddings, vespers and other parish liturgical celebrations.

Chorale

The parish choir, the Cathedral Chorale, is comprised of some 50 singers, with approximately 35 persons present for any given occasion. Anyone interested in joining the choir is welcome to attend a rehearsal, conducted every Thursday at 7:00pm at St. Mary Cathedral. 

Contemporary Ensemble

A group of singers and instrumentalists who support the singing of the assembly at the 11 am Mass from Labor Day to Father's Day.

To learn more about the various music ministries at St. Mary Cathedral, please contact: Dr. Wayne Wyrembelski, Director of Music at 989.732.5448 or email wwyrembelski@stmarycathedral.org.

A sacristan is defined as a person who takes care of the sanctuary, sacred vessels and altar linens. At the Cathedral, many people perform these duties, which include: ordering supplies, cleaning and repairing vestments, washing and ironing of church linens and altar server robes, replacing vigil candles, setting up for weekend liturgies, cleaning of ciboria, priests' chalices, holy water font and changing altar cloths.

Ushers are men and women with a welcoming spirit who greet and assist all who enter the church. They help parishioners and visitors find seating, provide general assistance to the assembly, and take up the collection during Mass. Through their kindness and hospitality, ushers help create a welcoming and prayerful environment for all.

Contact the parish office at 989.732.5448 or email parishoffice@stmarycathedral.org for become an usher.