Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Devotional prayer in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel one hour a month. Too often, in our busy lives, we are distracted from listening to God. Adoration is a sacred time in a sacred place, where the noise of the world is set aside, to listen to God in the ever so slight whisper of silence.

Mission and Purpose

In the garden of Gethsemane finding his disciples asleep Jesus asked, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” Mt 26:40.

Members of the parish are invited to sign up for hour slots of time in a continual vigil of prayer. Each month on the second Thursday of the month we set aside time to devote to prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Devotions start after the 5:30 p.m. mass on the second Thursday of each month and continue through the night until the 12-noon mass on Friday. Sign ups are held after the masses the weekend before the devotion. At least two people are asked to staff each hour. Even if you do not sign up you may still attend anytime you desire throughout the 18-hour devotion. The hour of prayer is in silence and you may bring devotional reading as well.

Contact
Dave Rowe • Phone: 858-549-2215 • Email: CRowe23863@aol.com

Altar Servers

Altar servers serve in teams, most are families. We also have couples and unrelated individuals (including children and young adults) who work as server teams.

Mission and Purpose

Our purpose is to assist the celebrant during Sunday mass and special liturgies. Altar servers also work with the liturgy coordinator for each mass to help set up for mass and assist after mass with the clearing of the items used during the liturgy.

Skills Needed

Interest in assisting at Mass, availability to assist once every four or five weeks. Willingness to dress and participate in a reverent fashion. Some knowledge of the Order of the Mass is very helpful.

Training

Training is provided as needed for new servers, and special liturgical seasons may have short training sessions.

Contact
Dirk Yandell • Phone: 858-271-0394 • Email: yandell@sandiego.edu

Christian Funeral Ministry

Provides parish support and healing at a time of loss. This ministry extends the hand of our loving God at a time of need.

Mission and Purpose

The Christian Funeral Ministry is a care giving group of believers dedicated to the needs of family and friends when they have suffered the loss of a loved one. This ministry is among the first hands to reach out and help others of our community at a difficult time.

The Funeral Ministry includes:

• Meeting with family in preparing the Funeral Liturgy.
• Participating in the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy (Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers and Lectors).
• Providing hospitality support for a reception, if requested.
• Providing follow-up and support to the deceased's family.

Contact
Jeannine Sullivan • Phone: 858-689-1285 • Email: pcsjfs@earthlink.net

Eucharistic Ministers

To help our Eucharistic Liturgy truly be a work of the people, dedicated men and woman come forward to help in the distribution of communion and stand as an outward sign of our baptismal calling to serve.

Mission and Purpose

They are dedicated to serving Christ through bringing “food for the journey” to our community at Mass, to the sick and homebound. In turn, they are blessed through the revelation of Christ's presence in each person with whom we share the Eucharist.

Training

There is a one-day diocesan training for new Eucharistic Ministers, which is offered twice a year. There is also an in parish training to familiarize new EM's with liturgical procedures in our parish.

Skills Needed

A Eucharistic Minister must be a confirmed Catholic at least sixteen years old and willing to be immersed in the life of the parish.

Time Required

Eucharistic Ministers are assigned two or three times a month at the parishioners preferred Mass. Holy Days and Seasonal Masses are by sign up.

Contact
Greg Tom • Phone: 858-271-9490 • Email: gtom@san.rr.com

Ministry of the Word - Lectors

Lectors bring the living Word of God to the assembled faith community. When the Scriptures are proclaimed in the midst of the Church, God himself is nurturing His people.

Mission and Purpose

This ministry is as rewarding for the lector as it is for the parish community. People's lives are changed for the better when they come to understand God's Word in a new way due to the spirituality and skill of a Minister of the Word. God's Word has power, but must have a voice to proclaim it.

Training

One-on-one or small group session to familiarize the lector with liturgical procedures and to offer coaching and practice on reading skills is provided. The Diocese of San Diego also offers lector training that is recommended.

Skills Needed

A Love of the Word (scripture) and a good reading voice. Experience with public speaking helps, but isn't necessary.

Contact
Terry Poletto • Phone: 858-536-8737 • Email: tpoletto@san.rr.com

Liturgical Environment Ministry

The Liturgical Environment Ministry helps create a prayerful environment to draw the community into deeper awareness of God through creation. These stewards plan and coordinates the floral and plant arrangements as well as other decorations of the church during the different liturgical seasons.

Mission and Purpose

Environment is the creation and implementation of a meaningful worship place with God. God created us to experience him with all of our senses. The environment of our worship space should reflect the prayerfulness and sacredness of being in union with God. Each liturgical season is meant to help us encounter Christ along life’s ever changing journey. The environment in which we encounter Christ can help us become more aware of His presence. Colors, shapes, sounds, smells, live plants or dried branches set the tone and help us enter into that inner place where we meet God. It all involves research, planning and organizing in conjunction with the Liturgy.

Skills Needed

Enjoy creating a beautiful place inside the church and a willingness to work with others and not be afraid of getting your hands dirty.

Time Required

Liturgical Seasons – 4 to 6 hours each weekend
Holy Days – 2 or less hours

Can’t volunteer full-time? We welcome seasonal help with small or one-time tasks.

Contact
Judy Cottel • Phone: 858-578-1082 • Email: judy@cottel.net

Martha’s Ministry

This ministry is dedicated to the practical essentials needed for the Liturgy's care and purification of sacred vessels, making sure there are ample quantities of bread and wine and changing candles.

Mission and Purpose

Even though Martha seems to get a bad rap in John's gospel for her busy work, there is a need for preparation and cleaning so that our community functions can take place. The Martha's Ministry plays an essential role in the preparation of our liturgies.

Each week a member of the Martha's Ministry sets aside about one hour to make sure the sacred vessels that we use at our masses are thoroughly cleaned and purified. Other duties include changing the alter candles and making sure there is enough bread and wine for our weekend and daily masses.

The Martha's Ministry provides a very important service behind the scenes that is perfect for a Steward who has limited time but wants to serve the parish community. Scheduling is done on a rotation basis and training is provided.

Contact
Bea Iwig • Phone: 858-271-5157 • Email: dbiwig@earthlink.net

Music Ministry

Music is a very important part of our worship. Music provides us an avenue to the sacred and opens our heart to be formed by God.

Mission and Purpose

Our music ministry provides musical direction for liturgies and brings together parishioners who share a passion for music. All are invited to join the Choirs of Saint Gregory the Great. New adult, teen and child members are always welcome. Tap into your spiritual talents and join us by filling our beautiful church building with the sound of song and music. Singing is praying twice. We have hearts that sing and we lovingly welcome any instruments to accompany them. Do you play an instrument?

COME JOIN US!

Rehearsal Schedule

• Saturday 5:00 p.m. Choir: rehearses on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
• Sunday 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. Choirs: rehearse on Wed. at 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday 11 am Choir: rehearses on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
• Children's Choir: rehearses on Wednesday
  • Level 1 ~ grades 1-3 at 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
  • Level 2 ~ grades 4-7 at 5:15 - 6:00 p.m.

Skills Needed

A love for music and a willingness to lift your voice in praise and worship.

Contact
Tim Hilgeman • Phone: 858-653-3583 • Email: thilgeman@saintgregorythegreat.org

Ushers

First impressions very often are lasting impressions. Ushers are ministers of hospitality that initiate the welcoming atmosphere of the community and the community's openness to extent the message of God's love to all.

Mission and Purpose

Ushering at Mass is a way of making Christ present in the Liturgy. Ushers help build up the church and create a spirit of welcome and a sense of belonging. It begins with a deep commitment to Christ and to his Church. Strangers are to be put at ease, visitors are to be welcomed, people with special needs or disabilities need to experience the care of the community.

Skills Needed

Warmth, friendliness and openness to hospitality are essential to this ministry. Always making your first word a word of welcome is important.

Training Required

Training is provided. Each Mass has a variety of responsibilities that may be different from other Masses. Ushers are to remember that they too are celebrating the Liturgy and despite their duties, must make every effort to participate fully in the responses, listen to the Word and to sing at the Mass.

Contact
Barbara Noeremberg • Phone: 858-449-0921

Wedding Ministry

A ministry to assist couples being married here at Saint Gregory the Great Parish with the rehearsal and wedding ceremony.

Mission and Purpose

The purpose is to assist the wedding coordinator and celebrant of the liturgy (Priest or Deacon) with rehearsal and wedding ceremony. The mission is to bring an awareness of the sacredness of the ceremony and to help maintain a prayerful atmosphere.

Skills Needed

It is helpful to have some background as a Eucharistic Minister. Most important is a helpful and friendly attitude.

Training Required

The wedding coordinator will provide you with parish guidelines and procedures for weddings. You will learn the different parts of the wedding liturgy.

Contact
Tina Diem • Phone: 858-653-3584 • Email: tdiem@saintgregorythegreat.org