The Liturgical Ministries are listed alphabetically.
Altar Servers
The altar server assists the priest during Mass. Training is provided for all those, 4th grade and older, interested in becoming servers.
Altar Servers
526 59th Street -- 718-492-9200
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Each Sunday during the 12:15 Mass in the upper church, before we begin the Readings from Scripture, we invite the children present to come to the front of the church. From there, they go a few steps with their leaders to the place where they can hear and talk about the Bible readings among themselves. They join the whole community again after the priest’s homily to the people.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word at Mass, lead the prayer of the faithful and make necessary announcements.
As the Lector prepares for the Scripture readings and then proclaims them, God’s Word speaks first to the Lector, and through him or her to the congregation. Through the Lector the Lord brings his light into the daily journey of all who are listening.
Lectors also proclaim during various special liturgies throughout the year.
Training and enrichment sessions are required on a regular basis.
526 59th Street -- 718-492-9200
Ministers of the Eucharist
Ministers of the Eucharist assist at Mass with the distribution of Communion. They approach the altar at the action of the breaking of the bread by the priest, then receive Communion from the priest and accept from him the sacred vessels for distributing Communion to the faithful.
This ministry began in the early Church when it was an ordinary practice for lay members of the assembly to take some of the Eucharistic bread home with them, to give to those who were sick or dying. After the Second Vatican Council Pope Paul VI gave permission for Ministers of the Eucharist in the parishes to help the priest to distribute Communion.
Some of our Ministers also bring Communion to homebound persons each Sunday after Mass.
Ministers of the Eucharist
526 59th Street -- 718-492-9200
Music Ministry
St. Augustine probably said it best: “To sing is to pray twice.”
At Sunday Mass an essential part of our worship and thanksgiving to God is our singing as a community. We sing the ordinary parts of the Mass – “Glory to God,” the Alleluia, “Holy, Holy,” “Lamb of God.”
And of course we sing the hymns to celebrate other moments of Mass, for example as we begin, and at Communion.
Basilica Music, Choir & Children’s Choir
526 59th Street
718-492-9022 ext. 118
Contact: Mr. Joe Giordano
Ushers & Greeters - Ministers of Hospitality
Our ushers greet you when you walk in the door for the Sunday Eucharist, because we as a community are glad you are here. The Eucharist means “Do this in memory of Me” with other people, and that parish should be a place where all feel at home.
They will help you find a seat if necessary. Later, they take up the collection. And at all times they are there to help in an emergency.
Contact: Jorge Barraza - 718-419-9041
Contact: Louis Nevilles - 718-439-6003