Worship Ministries

“It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.”

- Saint Padre Pio

OLA’s Worship Ministries offer our parishioners opportunities to gather in prayer, to serve our liturgies behind-the-scenes, and to assist in the action of the liturgies. Through their gifts and talents ministry stewards ensure that our liturgical celebrations are truly life-giving expressions of our faith.

Our Worship Ministries are always looking for volunteers - and for new members to join us in prayer. If you have questions about an individual ministry, please contact the ministry contact listed or the Commission Ministry Head, Jocelyn Ralston, at PC-Worship@olachurch.org.

Liturgical Support Ministries

These ministries are for those parishioners who prefer to support our communal prayer outside of actual liturgies.

Altar Linen Ministry

Members of the Altar Linen ministry launder and iron linens used in the celebration of the Eucharist each week. Each member is assigned one week 4 times per year.

Gretchen Heath, gheath@olachurch.org

Altar Server Vestment Care

Members of this ministry clean and mend the vestments used by the altar servers.

Joy Baljet, servervestments@olachurch.org

Butterfly Mass (A Sensory Friendly Mass Welcoming Those Living with Disabilities)

It is an Indonesian legend that when a butterfly comes into one’s home it means that a visitor will be coming soon. The more colorful the butterfly, the more important the visitor. We welcome everyone in the parish to join in the celebration of Mass along with our brothers and sisters of all abilities on the 4th Saturday of each month at the 5pm Mass. The Butterfly Mass features softer lighting and music, fidgets for our “busy bees” and a calmer setting. OLA’s parish family fosters a welcoming, accepting, and safe environment for persons with special abilities. All are welcome to celebrate with us.

Joy Baljet, butterflymass@olachurch.org

Environment and Art

This group plans and implements the decor that enhances our liturgies throughout the liturgical seasons. Team members are needed throughout the year, but most particularly during Advent, Christmas, and Easter seasons.

Jocelyn Ralston, jocelynralston@comcast.net

Nursery (Sunday 9am Mass)

The Nursery is available during the 9am Sunday Mass for children 1- 4 years of age throughout the school year (the weekend after Labor Day through the weekend before Memorial Day). The Nursery is located in the OLA Preschool classrooms - follow directional signs on Sunday. www.olanursery.shutterfly.com

Laura Kleinman, nursery@olachurch.org

Liturgical Ministries

These ministries are for those parishioners who serve before, during, and after our liturgies.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Adults)

Extraordinary Ministers are commissioned to serve communion at weekend and daily Masses. Added training allows you to minister to the homebound, care centers and hospitals (See Ministers of Care on the Christian Outreach Page). New Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion training is held in the spring and the fall.

RaeAnn Brothers, Coordinator, rae.ann.heenan@gmail.com; Sharon Adams (Trainer), sharonfadams@bellsouth.net

Funeral Coordinators

Funeral Coordinators assist families in the event of the death of a loved one by helping to plan the funeral liturgy and by being present to support the family at the funeral.

Anne Stephens, astephens@olachurch.org

Greeters and Ushers

Greeters welcome those attending liturgies and provide assistance to those in need of seating. Ushers take up the offertory collection and assist at communion. They work together to hand out bulletins and straighten up the church pews and Narthex after Mass.

Carlo Pierelli, ushers@olachurch.org

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the scripture readings and Prayers of the Faithful at liturgies.

Deacon Ed Patterson, epatterson@olachurch.org

Sacristans

Sacristans assist the clergy in set-up and clean-up at daily and weekend liturgies.

Deacon Ed Patterson, epatterson@olachurch.org

Wedding Guild

Wedding Guild members assist couples in pre-wedding preparations, the rehearsal, and on the day of the wedding. No previous experience necessary. Time commitment is shared with other coordinators.

Cheri Felton, cherifelton3@gmail.com

Music Ministries

The Music Ministry at OLA serves at all the weekend Masses and on Holy Days of Obligation. Its mission is to create a warm, welcoming, and educational environment for any individual searching for a way to give back to the church and serve during liturgies. Through the gift of music, the members of this ministry share their talents with the congregations each weekend to create and enhance worshipful, powerful, and prayerful moments of the Mass.

Regardless of experience level, availability, or age, all are invited and encouraged to explore the different opportunities OLA’s Music Ministry offers

Click here for more information about Music Ministry at OLA.

Jake Mappes, Director of Music, jmappes@olachurch.org

For Children and Youth

5:30PM Sunday Mass Ministries

Our 5:30pm Sunday Mass is served exclusively by teens of our parish grades 6 and higher. Lectors, Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and members of the Life Teen Band are needed. See below for details.

Andrew Knuckles, Director of Youth Ministry, aknuckles@olachurch.org

Altar Servers

These young ministers (boys & girls) are trained to assist the clergy in the celebration of the Eucharist for school Masses, weekend liturgies, funerals, and nuptial Masses. Lynn and Bill Kester, Vyvy Vyoung, Lawrence Lee, servers@olachurch.org

Children's Choir (1st - 6th Grades)

Children from 1st - 6th grades are invited to join the Children's Choir. 4th - 6th graders proclaim the psalm. The Children's Choir sings twice a month during the school year and at Christmas and Easter. Click here for more information about Music Ministry at OLA.

Jake Mappes, Director of Music, jmappes@olachurch.org

Children's Liturgy of the Word (Kindergarten and 1st Grade)

Each Sunday at the 9am Mass during the school year, children who are in kindergarten and first grade are invited to leave Mass to listen to the Liturgy of the Word for children on their own. They will have a time of reflection on the Word, then head back to Mass to join their family at the offertory.

Bridgett Posey and Sarah Welch, ChildrensLiturgy@olachurch.org

Life Teen Band (7th - 12th Grades)

All adults and teens 7th grade and up are invited to participate in the Life Teen Band and Choir that leads music at the 5:30pm Sunday Mass each week. With an emphasis on modern praise and worship music as well as contemporary arrangements of classic hymns, rehearsals begin promptly at 4:30pm, either in the upstairs music room or church. Click here for more information about Music Ministry at OLA.

Jake Mappes, Director of Music, jmappes@olachurch.org

Little Lambs

Each Sunday at the 9am Mass during the school year, independent preschool aged children are invited to receive their own Liturgy of the Word during Mass. They are led out by our community shepherd prior to the first reading, and then return to Mass at the offertory. They experience scripture and a reflection designed just for their age group.

Emily DeWitt, emily13dewitt@gmail.com