Saint Helen’s liturgical ministers – lectors, Eucharistic ministers, music ministers, sacristans – participated in a program of education and renewal on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Led by Director of Worship, Adrian Soltys, the purpose was to provide the historical context for the Catholic liturgy, the significance of various elements of Mass, and how each minister can fulfill their role with intention, reverence, and precision. Together with the celebrant, the liturgical ministers have the opportunity to provide the setting for those attending Mass to experience meaningful worship.
Saint Helen’s mission statement reflects the vibrant community we aspire to: “Worshiping God, Serving Others, and Making Disciples.” Our Baltimore Catechism defines worship as the giving of honor to God by various acts. “We adore God by all our prayers, but in particular by the public prayers of the Church, and, above all, by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” The word “eucharist” originates from the Greek “eucharista,” which means thanksgiving.
Stewardship then, in our Catholic context, means living out of a commitment to be Christ-centered. Profound gratitude, justice, and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God. This encourages us to live our life in gratitude toward God for all the gifts that have been bestowed on us. As disciples, we share of ourselves to build up God’s kingdom here on earth.
The Church calls each of us to full, active, and conscious participation in the Mass, which is both internal and external. We also believe that eucharistic worship is sacrificial, which is not a simple commemoration of the Last Supper. We may trace this definition through Church history and scripture, including the sacrifice that Mary and Joseph offered of two turtle doves when they presented Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem (Luke 2:22). Such sacrifices in early Judaism express, in part, gratitude, and love.
“In the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of His body. The lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united with those of Christ and with His total offering, and so acquire a new value. Christ’s sacrifice, present on the altar, makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with His offering.” (Baltimore Catechism). This is what we mean when we say that we share in the Paschal Mystery…Jesus passion, death and resurrection.
Our own offertory parallels the earliest form of Christian worship in which bread and wine were offered by the faithful, and a collection was taken for the needs of the community, including the poor. It is not a pause in the liturgy but possesses a deep significance as an offertory rite.
The assembly’s full and active participation is expressed in their presence, singing, responses, and engagement throughout the celebration, from beginning to end. The offertory procession additionally expresses the assembly’s participation in the Eucharist and in the social mission of the Church and our faith community. It also expresses our willingness to enter into a holy exchange with God: by offering to God what he has given to us we may merit to receive Christ’s very self in the Eucharist.