OUR MISSION: Queen of Heaven Parish is a prayerful, vibrant and proactive community sharing Christ's love through numerous ministries.
All Liturgical celebrations, especially the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy, are celebrations of the whole Church. They are not private functions. The Church is the “sacrament of unity: the holy people united and arranged under their bishops. Therefore, liturgical services pertain to the whole Body of the Church”. (CSL 26)
In the midst of this Body, there are individual ministries who serve all the faithful by executing different functions. These functions are integral and necessary parts for the liturgy to be performed in a dignified and reverend manner, and for respecting the nature, shape, and dynamic of liturgy. These ministries include the Priest & Deacon, and may also include the following lay ministers: Altar Servers, EXtraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Sacristans, Ushers and Visitors of the Sick and Homebound (see the descriptions below).
Lay Liturgical Ministers exercise a “genuine liturgical function. They ought, therefore, to perform their roles with the sincere piety and decorum demanded by so exalted ministries and rightly expected of them by God’s people”. (CSL 29)
All liturgical ministers exist for the service of the Body of Christ, the People of God, the assembly gathered in God’s name. Although serving in any of these ministries should be a source of joy and satisfaction for individual people, these ministries exist for the benefit and service of the Church and not for individual or personal piety, spiritual growth, or status. As such, these ministries are regulated by Church and Liturgical law and are submitted to the authority of the Bishop and the local pastor. (USCCB)
The liturgy, then, is about the action of God's own people, each with different offices and roles, each office and role, from that of bishop and priest to that of usher and sacristan, one of service, not of privilege, a mirror of Christ who washed the feet of his disciples and instructed his followers to imitate his example of service. (USCCB)
Thank you for volunteering your time to serve at the morning or weekend Mass. For Liturgical Ministry Schedule for Lectors, Ministers of Holy Communion, and Altar Servers please click on the link below. The weekend Liturgical Ministry Schedule is posted quarterly.
Queen of Heaven offers twice-yearly formation training for those interested in becoming a Liturgical Minister or Altar Server. Check back to this page often to see when training dates become available.
For information about the Adult Music Ministry and Children's Choir, please look at the descriptions of the Lay Ministries below.
Information about Lay Liturgical Ministers
To access the Weekend Lay Ministry Schedule, you will need a Username and Password. If you are a minister and need access to the Ministry Schedule and don't have a username and password, please leave your name and phone number for Peggy Klinger at the parish office at (330) 896-2345.
Altar Server Ministry is for youth in grades 4-12 who are interested in serving on the altar during Mass. Training is conducted once or twice a year, depending on interest. Youth start out shadowing servers on the altar and once they have shadowed for about a year or until they feel ready, they test to become a server. After about 4-5 years, if they demonstrate indepence and leadership on the altar, they can be advanced to a lead server. Trainings are also conducted periodically to instruct on serving funerals, weddings, and special high Masses. Interested youth and parents should contact Bob at [email protected] or the parish office at 330-896-2345 or fill out the interest form below.
Altar Server's Schedule is listed above under Weekend Lay Ministry Schedule
ALTAR SERVER INTEREST FORM
This is a wonderful ministry of distributing the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during the Holy Mass or in home/nursing homes. This ministry is for those parishioners who are in good standing with the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church and who have a deep love for the Eucharist.
Contact Larry Winkler if you are interested in being trained as an Extraordiinary Eucharistic Minister by calling the parish office at 330.896.2345 or email [email protected].
A current weekend Eucharistic Minister Schedule is always posted on this webpage (above).
Ushers and Greeters are called to be Ministers of Hospitality. They are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcoming and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship at weekend Masses. They are the first point of contact for the communal celebration of the Liturgy and because of this, should take special steps in being living representatives of the Parish Mission Statement. Ministers of Hospitality minister to the entire community in a very active way. By freeing each person of their own personal impediments to the Mass through a welcoming atmosphere, ministers of hospitality take an active role in enabling each person to come to a freer expression of God in the Liturgy. If you are interested in becoming a Greeter or Usher please contact the parish office at 330.896.2345 or email [email protected].
LECTORS (READERS)
The primary role of the lector is to proclaim the readings from sacred scripture, except for the gospel, in the Liturgy of the Word during Mass and other sacred celebrations. This is his proper function and should be exercised even when ministers of a higher rank are present.P.J. Chavez - 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass and 11a.m. Sunday Mass (Contemporary)
Steve Dallas - 8:15 a.m. Sunday Mass (Organ)
Queen of Heaven's Music Ministry for Adults offers many opportunities for bringing music to our parish and community. Our parish is blessed with many talented musicians and vocalists, and we are always looking for more participants in this wonderful ministry of praising God and leading our parish family in song during our liturgies. Becoming a member of this ministry is a wonderful way to live out our parish mission by encouraging spiritual growth. There are many ways you can offer your time and talent to our ministry. If you can carry a tune and want to learn, come sing with us! For more information, contact us by calling the parish office at (330) 896.2345 or email [email protected].
Queen of Heaven is very excited to invite the youth of our parish to be a part of the new children's choir that started January 2024! Children in first through eighth grades will participate in weekly rehearsals from September through May. They will have an opportunity to sing at the 11 a.m. Mass once a month. They will learn more about the Mass, different types of liturgical music and grow together in faith through song! If you have an interest in joining, please reach out to Abby Schad with any questions at [email protected].
Sacristans prepare the altar and sanctuary for the Mass and wash vessels after weekend Liturgy. If interested in becoming a Sacristan please call the parish office at 330.896.2345 or email [email protected].