SACRISTAN PREPARING THE WAY A guide for Sacristans at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church
Sacristan Preparing the Way A Guide for Sacristans at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church REVISED AND UPDATED August 14, 2013
Sacristan: Preparing the Way, A guide for Sacristans at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church has been developed as a resource by Deacon Chuck Lanham for ministers who are responsible for preparing the church for Mass.
Sacristan Preparing the way They shall make a sanctuary for me, that I may dwell in their midst. This Dwelling and all its furnishings you shall make exactly according to the pattern that I will now show you. Exodus 25:8 The adornment and decor of a church should be such as to make the church a visible sign of love and reverence toward God Ceremonial of Bishops (No. 38) Thank you for your desire to become a Sacristan. The Sacristan performs an essential role in the conduct and execution of the Sacred Liturgy. In order for everyone to receive the fullness of grace from the celebration of the Eucharist it is essential that all elements be in their proper place at the necessary time. The Sacristan fulfills a true liturgical function by undertaking the overall preparation of liturgical celebrations and ensuring that the things necessary for worship are available.
Ministry schedule Ministry schedule The schedule for every Mass is published in the bulletin and mailed to all ministers prior to the beginning of every month. Each month when you receive the calendar, please review your assignments and make note of when you are scheduled to read. Absences We are all called away on occasion for various reasons and in most cases these absences are known and arranged in advance. Please, let the Parish staff know when you will not be available as far in the future as possible; this will allow them to create the schedule with those who will be available. Replacements If you cannot serve at a Mass you have been assigned it is your responsibility to find a replacement. You can procure a phone list from the Parish Office. Dress acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing. General Instruction of the Roman Missal, # 339, USCCB As a Sacristan, you are serving at the table of the Lord and should always dress appropriately; after all it is a special banquet you are attending and serving. This is not an occasion for T-shirts, shorts, blue jeans, tennis shoes, or other casual dress. 6
Sacristan Preparing the way Arrival Sacristans should arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the beginning of Mass in order to have ample time to prepare the liturgical setting and to coordinate all of the ministries that are scheduled to serve. Bowing There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head; and a bow of the body, which is referred to as a profound bow. A bow of the head is made whenever the three names of the Trinity are said together, and when the name of Jesus, Mary, or the saint in whose honor the Mass is celebrated is said. A profound bow, bending the entire body at the waist to where you can touch the knees with the palms of your hand, is made at a few specific parts during the Mass, and whenever you pass in front of an altar. We bow to the altar because the Altar represents Christ so we reverence it with a profound bow. When we reverence the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle we are adoring God Himself, since the Lord is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, so we genuflect. For Sacristans, as you approach the sanctuary to perform your duties, you should perform a profound bow toward the Altar not the tabernacle before entering the sanctuary. Upon exiting the sanctuary, turn, face the Altar and perform a profound bow. 7
Duties Duties The following also exercise a liturgical function: The sacristan, who carefully arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things necessary in the celebration of Mass. General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 105, USCCB In order for the beauty of the liturgy to be fully realized everything must be set in place and ready for the celebrant and other ministers. The sacristan is responsible for the overall preparation of liturgical celebrations, including all that is needed for special days such as Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. Requirements and needs vary both seasonally and based on the Mass day and time and the Sacristan must be prepared to adjust for the occasion. While the duties of a Sacristan might be considered simple and mundane they are extremely important and there are many tasks that are required. Never forget that yours is truly a blessed ministry. Ministry coordination As the Sacristan you are commissioned to be the caretaker of the church. The Sacristan is responsible for insuring that all scheduled ministers (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, and Altar Servers) are present and prepared to perform their assigned duties. Scheduled ministers are asked to report to the Sacristan immediately upon their arrival to alert the Sacristan to their presence The Sacristan should inform all scheduled ministers of any changes or issues that might affect their assigned duties 8
Sacristan Preparing the way When a scheduled minister does not appear the Sacristan assists the other ministers in locating a replacement. The Sacristan is responsible for selecting a family to process the gifts to the altar: Choose a family. Opening the church Every Sacristan should have been issued a key to the church and sacristy and have been issued a pass code for the alarm system and been trained on its use. Upon arrival at the Church the Sacristan must verify that the following has been completed or complete the following tasks: Alarm System o Turn off the alarm, if set Unlock and open doors o Unlock and open the Sacristy. o Unlock and unlatch both sets of exterior doors, o Open and brace the interior doors, o Open the door to the chapel/cry room, o Verify that the chapel/cry room has been properly arranged for the liturgical celebration, 9
Duties Lighting System Turn on the lights throughout the church. In order to turn on the lights o proceed to the control box next to the sacristy window and flip: the BAPTISMAL (1), TABERNACLE (2), and the ENTRY (3) light switches to ON, and push the upper button marked MANUAL (4) located on the lower left corner of the panel and ensure that the sliders are all the way up. Please note that if the church lights do not light or are flickering, it is most likely because the upper button on the first panel has not been pressed. 10
Sacristan Preparing the way o open the door to the breaker panel next to the sacristy entrance and flip all of the switches marked #s 1-10 to the on position. o Turn on the chapel/cry room lights: One switch is located inside the main entrance to the chapel/cry room, The second is located outside the second entrance to the chapel/cry room. o At the alcoves for St. Ann and St. Theresa there are toggle switches for the mini-spots; toggle the switches to the ON position. 11
Duties Sound System o Turn on the sound system with the MICROPHONE switch located behind the entrance door to the sacristy. o The sound system will be taken care of by the music ministers. However, as the Sacristan, you should be aware that the sound board needs to be plugged in and the master slide should be up to where a white dot has been placed. The power cord is located behind the choir stands, to the right of the sound board. You will know that the sound board is on when the red light of the microphone on the ambo is lit. 12
Sacristan Preparing the way Preparing the church Entrance Table o Ensure that the Book of the Gospels is located on the rear shelf o Move the table from under the rear shelf to a position approximately even with the last row of pews. 13
Duties o Place the basket lined with a purificator on the table Add a sufficient quantity of unconsecrated hosts for the anticipated attendance Place two tongs in the basket o Place the large paten on the table Prop one large host against the side not lying flat. Prior to the presentation of the gifts lay the large host flat on top of the small hosts 14
Sacristan Preparing the way o Fill the large carafe with sacramental wine found in the refrigerator to the top of the etched area for smaller attended Masses approximately ½ inch above that for larger attended Masses. and place the carafe on the table. Tabernacle o Ensure that the tabernacle key is in the lock of the Tabernacle. The key is located in the Sacristy on a hook on the inside of the far right side cabinet door. o Ensure that large ciborium has an ample quantity of consecrated hosts to provide a secondary source for Holy Communion o The Sacristan for the 4 pm Saturday Mass must prepare the pixes for Park Place according to the list found on the wall in the Sacristy. 15
Duties Credence Table o Chalice Use the tall gold chalice for Father Mark or the Bishop Use the shorter gold chalice for Father Honesto Use the silver chalice for visiting priests o 1 - purificator for the chalice o 3 - silver patens o Tray 4 - communion cups 4 - purificators 16
Candles o 1 small pitcher of water (filled half-full) o Silver bowl of water for the washing of hands Sacristan Preparing the way o Towel (Located in the third long drawer in the Sacristy) o Tabernacle Candle If the tabernacle candle is burning low attempt to replace it. Replacement candles are located in the Sacristy. o Altar Candles Light the altar candles 10 minutes prior to the o Votive Candles beginning of Mass. Check the votive candles and remove any burnt matches or wooden tapers; these present a real fire hazard and must be removed. Baptisms If a baptism is scheduled, the Sacristan must perform the following: Place the baptismal font centered in front of the altar at floor level. Place the small table in front of the altar at the end nearest to the ambo. Place the Pascal candle at the end of the altar nearest the ambo. Light the Pascal candle at the same time as the altar candles. Place the cruet of Sacred Chrism on the small table. 17
Duties Place an unwrapped baptismal candle on the small table. Baptismal candles are located on the shelf above the priest s vestments in the sacristy. Place a small towel on the side of the baptismal font. A few minutes before Mass begin fill a large pitcher with hot water. Use water as hot as you can get it as it will cool during Mass. Place the pitcher in the baptismal font bowl. During Mass While Mass is in progress the Sacristan should remain in the rear of the church and perform the following: Close and lock the Sacristy and unlock it at the end of Mass. Assist in placing the offerings in the plastic bag at the offertory. Return the entrance table to its place under the shelf at the back of the church. At the End of Mass Please assist the ministers in finishing their tasks. Make sure that everything is properly put away. o After the 4:00 pm Mass the Sacristan should assist in preparing for the 6:00 pm Mass. o After the 8:00 am Mass the Sacristan should assist in preparing for the 10:00 am Mass. Remove the tabernacle key (except after the 8:00 am Mass) and return it to the Sacristy. 18
Sacristan Preparing the way Leaving the Church With the exception of the 4:00 pm Saturday Mass and the 8:00 am Sunday Mass the Sacristan must: Turn off the lights o At the alcoves for St. Ann and St. Theresa toggle the switches to the OFF position. o open the door to the breaker panel next to the sacristy entrance and flip all of the switches marked #s 1-10 to the OFF position. o proceed to the control box next to the sacristy window and flip: the BAPTISMAL, TABERNACLE, and the ENTRY light switches to OFF, and push the lower button (marked MANUAL) located on the lower left corner of the panel. o Turn OFF the chapel/cry room lights: Lock the church One switch is located inside the main entrance to the chapel/cry room, The second is located outside the second entrance to the chapel/cry room. o Close and lock the Sacristy o Latch and lock both sets of exterior doors, o Close the interior doors, o Close the door to the chapel/cry room, o After the 4 pm Mass on Saturday and the 5 pm Mass on Sunday turn on the alarm. 19
NOTES: o Exit and lock the main door. NOTES: The switch that turns the Holy Water font on and off is located in the Chapel/Cry Room behind the door. Leave it on to avoid stagnation. The valve to turn off all of the water to the building is located in the women s restroom janitor closet. The thermostat that controls the Narthex and Chapel/Cry Room is located in the Chapel/Cry Room on the far side of the room. The thermostat that controls the Sacristy is located behind the grey box cover near the sink in the Altar Servers vesting area. A first aid kit is located in the Sacristy, center cabinet, left hand side. Lost and found is located outside of the Chapel/Cry Room. Extra microphone batteries are located in the Sacristy in the top drawer. The phone number to the alarm company, should the alarm go off while you are there is 826-1346 and is written on the phone. o Dial 9 + 829-1346 to call the security company Type in your code and press off to shut off the alarm Type in your code again and press off to reset the alarm system. 20
Sacristan Preparing the way 21
NOTES: I did not come to be served, but to serve. 22