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LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

Our worship of God involves each person who attends! When he washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus called them to serve one another, a call into which we are baptized. As a liturgical minister, people place their gifts at the service of the community to assist our worship of God. Take a look at how our parish family comes together in praise of God!

Are you new here? Do you want to make a positive difference in the lives of those who worship each weekend? Click on any of the ministry names below for more information!

Ministry Schedules: Login for up-to-date, online scheduling

Questions? Contact our Director of Worship Laura Kutscher via email at [email protected] or phone at 515-784-0128.

The Assembly

Every time we attend Mass, we are a part of the Assembly, a visible expression of the Body of Christ in the world. When each week we take our place and lend our heart and voice fully to the worship of God, we witness to the power of God in our lives, and that is something of which we all are a part. One way to prepare for this weekend's worship would be to take a moment each week to look ahead to the readings, read and reflect.  Check out the Mass page on our website for a reflection on the readings and music for the upcoming weekend.

You might feel moved to share one of your gifts with our worshiping community. There is a place for you! Take a moment to look over the opportunities to assist with worship. Training is provided!  Ministers are assigned for each of the weekend liturgies; holiday liturgies are generally filled by volunteering.  Each ministry provides training and any necessary materials.

If you are interested in serving in any of these ministries, contact our Director of Worship,, Laura Kutscher.

Music Ministers

Share your gifts, meet new people, strengthen lasting friendships, and lead our parish community in the music of our faith! We are always in need of vocalists and instrumentalists to assist in leading the Assembly in song. There are numerous opportunities for all to be involved. If you or someone you know has the gift of music, please prayerfully consider becoming involved in our music ministry. 

Contact Laura Kutscher, OLIH Director of Worship for more information at 515-784-0128.

Resources for Music Ministers

  • Schedule: Login or see top of page

Weekend Musicians

  • Accompanists, cantors, & instrumentalists scheduled as available and needed.

Adult Choirs

  • Magnificat Choir: The main choir for is open to all--high school age and up. This group sings a variety of four-part music in classical to contemporary styles; rehearses for an hour and a half once every week on Tuesday evenings and sings at weekend Mass approximately once per month. Contact Laura Kutscher for more information.

  • Regina Coeli (Funeral Choir under the patronage of Mary, Queen of Heaven): The Funeral Choir assists our grieving families by providing music and support through sung prayer and spoken responses at the funeral liturgy. The choir is open to all men and women who are available during the day. This is a great opportunity for those in the home school community, work-from-home adults to come and support the parish community in a special way through the sung prayer of the Mass. The choir gathers to rehearse prior to the funeral and sings most hymns and songs in unison. Contact Laura Kutscher for more information.

Children’s Choirs

  • Children’s Choir (Grades 2-8): A choir for children in Grades 2-8; rehearses for one hour every week on Wednesdays during the academic year. Sings at a weekend Mass approximately once per month. Contact Laura Kutscher for more information.

Cross Bearers

The entrance procession is not only a solemn introduction of the priest and other ministers to the sanctuary, but it is also a visible expression of the people becoming a liturgical community.   We follow the cross into the sanctuary, a reminder and sign that we are to follow the cross in our daily lives.

This minister leads the procession at the beginning and the end of weekend Mass and must be physically able to carry OLIH’s handcrafted processional cross. High School students and adults are encouraged to sign up to carry the processional cross.

Hospitality Ministers

Greet the Assembly as they arrive; assist with the collection; pass out bulletins; and straighten up the church after dismissal.  Generally, they care for the people before, during and at the conclusion of our Liturgy.  They are the people who set the tone of welcome and who pay particular attention to the needs and comfort of those in the Assembly.

In addition to these regular duties, Hospitality Ministers are responsible for seating and directing folks in a safe manner consistent with safe distance measures.

Eucharistic Ministers

A Eucharistic Minister is one who helps serve Communion during Mass. Eucharistic Ministers can also offer to take Communion to homebound and hospitalized members of the parish.  It takes about a dozen Eucharistic Ministers to serve at each Mass, so new ministers are always welcome! Coordinator Mitchell Arney will help you connect with this ministry. 

Lectors

Lectors proclaim Sacred Scriptures in a way that conveys the meaning and intent of the Word, while upholding the dignity of Christ’s presence in the Word. Lectors for weekend Masses are assigned to proclaim both the first or second Scripture reading and the Prayers of the Faithful. A Lector for daily Mass is assigned to read the first Scripture reading and the psalm.

Contact Laura Kutscher to find out more about this ministry

Altar Servers

When we gather for Liturgy, the Altar Servers take responsibility for freeing the presider from various details so he may give full attention to presiding.  Tasks include: Carry candles in procession to and from the sanctuary; presenting and hold the sacramentary (book of prayers) for presider at several times during Mass; carrying the candles to the ambo for reading of the Gospel; assist with preparing the altar for Liturgy of Eucharist and clearing the altar.

All students in Grade 4 through High School are invited to be altar servers. Training is typically offered in early fall and as needed.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

In addition to our regular Children's Liturgy of the Word, we have Children's bulletins available in the Gathering Space. Contact: Mary Sankey

This ministry is for children ages 3 to grade 3 and is offered during the 8:30 am Sunday Mass. Children are dismissed after the opening of Mass to hear and discuss the scripture readings of the day. This is a great way for them to hear and talk about Bible lessons in language they understand. Teen and adult volunteers are needed for this ministry on an ongoing basis!

Art & Environment Committee

Liturgical Environment is used to foster the mood and focus of the Liturgical Seasons,  sometimes the mood is festive, other times the mood is penitence or anticipation , but always characterized by simplicity, dignity, and hospitality.   This group gathers primarily on a Saturday morning as the Liturgical Season changes. Coordinator Mary Reichter will help you connect with this ministry

Live-Streamers & Soundboard

Teams of Live-Streamers and Soundboard volunteers assist us with the technological support for our weekend and weekday liturgies. Our goal is to provide a prayerful and sacred experience of the Mass for those who are not able to attend in person. Full training is offered for this ministry. Adults and high school students are encouraged to volunteer for this ministry.