Florida Catholic | Liturgical Ministers

Liturgical ministers refresh skills and spirituality

2007 Ministry Fair provides for a day of spiritual growth and training.

KATHY GROBE | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.26.07

TALLAHASSEE | “What do you want of me, Lord? How do you want me to serve you?”

Seventy-five liturgical ministers at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee opened a morning of prayer, reflection and training with those words from the “Servant Song.”

The co-cathedral’s 2007 Ministry Fair provided altar servers, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, lectors, sacristans, ushers and musicians with an opportunity for spiritual refreshment, updates and training.

Following Mass and a continental breakfast, Msgr. Michael Tugwell, rector of the co-cathedral, welcomed participants and led them in prayer. He echoed St. Augustine, saying, “We must become what we eat. We must strive to emulate Christ, who we consume in the Eucharist. We do this in the ministries we undertake.”

Tom Neal, a doctoral candidate in religion at Florida State University, presented the morning’s keynote address, telling attendees: “You are ministers of the presence of God. Your service is a supreme act of worship, a unique call to deepen your own prayer and worship. You are privileged to be ministers of the Church’s supreme act of worship.”

Those who are called to ministry have a special obligation “to take seriously the holiness of their own life. Since they are called to facilitate intimacy with Christ, they, too, should be intimate with him,” Neal said.

There are many forms of prayer and all are important, he continued. Public prayer has a social dimension that reminds ministers that they are a part of the body of Christ. Then there is “private prayer, in which you go into your inner room, shut the door and pray to your Father in secret,” he said. “It is easy for prayer to be shelved, put off to the side, but you must make time for it. This is not to say that action is not important. It is, but don’t forget prayer.”

Silence is one of the most difficult things to achieve, Neal noted. “We are not a silent culture and it’s hard to stay quiet for even a while,” he said. But silence also teaches patience and to trust in God, who is often silent. Neal also reminded those in attendance that when they pray they should not be passive, and embrace prayer with fervor and passion.

As the morning moved toward the practical segment, Msgr. Tugwell reminded participants of elements universal to all liturgical ministries. Service in only one ministry is important, the rector noted, “so that we can do it well; pray and reflect and be a thoughtful presence to that ministry.”

“What you wear is important, too,” he explained. “Casual attire is inappropriate in the sanctuary and that is something that should be considered.”

As the morning drew to a close, the attendees moved to group sessions tailored to their ministries, where they brushed up on their skills and trained new volunteers.

Return to Diocese of Pensacola - Tallahassee Front Page

Liturgical ministers refresh skills and spirituality

2007 Ministry Fair provides for a day of spiritual growth and training.

Other Stories