Sacristan
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Sacristan is a highly important coordinator position for each Mass and close collaborator with the Celebrant during the Mass. The Sacristan gains a deeper involvement in, and appreciation of, the Mass, as well as more personal relationships with the clergy and other ministers.
How the Ministry Works:- New Sacristans are by appointment only; the Pastor and associate clergy must approve anyone to be invited into this ministry.
- New Sacristans are trained via “on-the-job training” with the Sacristan coordinator and the other Sacristans who serve at the same Mass; training period is approximately 1-2 months.
- They will then apprentice with experienced Sacristans for another month before doing a Mass on their own.
- Sacristans typically specialize in one weekend Mass (e.g. only the 8:00 Sunday Mass); the goal is to have three or four Sacristans (or teams of Sacristans) for each Mass and they are scheduled to serve a month at a time.
- All Sacristans are also Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors so they can substitute for an absent minister if a sub has not already been arranged or if a minister becomes ill during Mass.
- The Sacristan’s responsibilities before, during, and after Mass include:
- Make sure proper quantities of bread and wine are set out for consecration
- Ensure the proper number of ciboria, chalices, and purificators are available for the distribution of the Eucharist
- Monitor attendance at the Mass and adjust quantities as appropriate
- Set lectionary for readings of the day
- Sacristans ensure the required number of Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers are available, and that they know their assignments and positions
- During Mass, they cue the Altar Servers as needed so they perform their duties in a timely fashion
- Sacristans retrieve the contents of the Offertory Boxes during the homily and place collection basket on Credence Table in back of church
- After Mass, they supervise washing of vessels and setting out items for the succeeding Mass
- Sacristans must arrive at Mass at least 30 minutes before Mass and stay after Mass ends until all post-Mass tasks are complete
- Sacristans must be extremely reliable, very well organized, highly attentive to details, and intimately familiar with all aspects of the Mass
- The final decision as to whether or not any individual becomes a Sacristan is made solely by the Pastor