MINISTERS OF THE SACRED PLACES - SACRISTANS
Being a sacristan is a peaceful, rewarding and enjoyable ministry in the Church. Our parish is very fortunate in having 16 sacristans - 4 teams follow a roster so that there is always a sacristan on duty for each of the 4 weekend Masses to prepare the altar and the other sacred spaces in the Church.
The sacristans ensure that the Altar cloths are changed according to the liturgical seasons - purple for Lent and Advent, white for Christmas and the days following until the Baptism of Our Lord and red altar cloths used at Pentecost and Confirmation. And then white appears again for Easter and the 50 days of the Easter season. The Ordinary season is marked by the green colour of growth and new life.
Mass preparation includes measuring out the wine, counting the estimated number of hosts, replacing candles, putting out the sacred vessels, and making sure the Lectionary is opened at the correct readings and that the Altar Missal is properly marked and available for the celebration of that day. Like the motto of the Benedictine order: Ora et Labora (pray and work), the time spent in the quiet of an empty church before the parishioners arrive soon becomes a prayer of working for the Lord and His glory and is an honour and a great source of grace.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and
continue to help them. Hebrew 6:10
Being a sacristan is a peaceful, rewarding and enjoyable ministry in the Church. Our parish is very fortunate in having 16 sacristans - 4 teams follow a roster so that there is always a sacristan on duty for each of the 4 weekend Masses to prepare the altar and the other sacred spaces in the Church.
The sacristans ensure that the Altar cloths are changed according to the liturgical seasons - purple for Lent and Advent, white for Christmas and the days following until the Baptism of Our Lord and red altar cloths used at Pentecost and Confirmation. And then white appears again for Easter and the 50 days of the Easter season. The Ordinary season is marked by the green colour of growth and new life.
Mass preparation includes measuring out the wine, counting the estimated number of hosts, replacing candles, putting out the sacred vessels, and making sure the Lectionary is opened at the correct readings and that the Altar Missal is properly marked and available for the celebration of that day. Like the motto of the Benedictine order: Ora et Labora (pray and work), the time spent in the quiet of an empty church before the parishioners arrive soon becomes a prayer of working for the Lord and His glory and is an honour and a great source of grace.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and
continue to help them. Hebrew 6:10
