Opportunities for Serving our Parish Community
ACOLYTES
Acolytes serve with clergy and lay ministers during the 10 a.m. Sunday
service and at special services throughout the year. St. Andrew's acolytes help prepare the worship space by lighting the altar candles before the service and extinguishing them at the close. Carrying the cross and candles, they lead the procession of ministers into and out of the worship space at the opening and closing of the service. Torchbearers also accompany the priest or deacon into the congregation for the reading of the Gospel. During preparations for the Eucharist, acolytes may help wash the priest’s hands and also ring the sanctus bell during the Eucharist.
The acolyte program is open to youth in grades 5 though 12. Training is held annually. Acolytes are each expected to participate in 12 to 15 services per year.
LECTORS AND LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lectors read the Old Testament lesson from the lectern at each worship service, bringing the Word to life to worshipers. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) read from the Epistle, lead the Prayers of the People, and serve as chalice-bearers.
Lectors typically sign up to read once every month to six weeks. LEMs, who receive training, may serve one Sunday a month. Contact Jean Paré if you are interested in participating.
MUSIC MINISTRY
The Parish Choir provides music and anthems during the 10 a.m. Sunday Eucharist, Holy Week services, Easter Vigil and Easter Day services, the Thanksgiving service, Lessons and Carols, the 10 p.m. Christmas Eve service, and other special services. Membership in the choir is open to parishioners who are high school students or older. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Contact Kathy Nazzarini to learn more about this special ministry.
ALTAR GUILD
Altar Guild is a ministry of service performed by women and men who work behind the scenes to prepare our worship space. They ensure that the sanctuary, church and chapel are set for worship for all regular and special services throughout the year, including baptisms, weddings and funerals. While their efforts may be most noticeable during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving, when special flowers, palms and other decorations adorn our worship space, their ministry includes the ongoing care, provisioning, and setup and cleanup of communion vessels, bread and wine, altar hangings, altar linens, vestments, liturgical banners, candles and flowers. They also ensure that the sanctuary and chapel are cleaned weekly.
Members of the Altar Guild are divided into four teams and each team typically has responsibility for tasks once a month. The team that is “on” meets on Saturday morning for cleaning & Sunday setup and then on Sunday completes the service setup and cleanup for each service.
Altar flower thank offerings and memorials given throughout the year as well as other designated special gifts help support the work of the Altar Guild.
Contact Kathy Nazzarini or Karin Anderson for more information.
CHAPLAINS
St. Andrew's chaplains -- Sally Hedrick, Joanne Schupbach, Diane Sellinger and Diana Bolz -- provide pastoral support to our clergy and spiritual care for our parishioners. They received extensive pastoral training from The Bishop Anderson House, which is associated with Rush University Medical Center, and also benefit from their professional lives outside of the church. Some of our chaplains also volunteer with other community organizations. Additionally, all of our Chaplains serve as Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
Our parish chaplains provide one-on-one spiritual care or care in conjunction with Fr. Morris. They may provide regular follow-up with phone calls or visit people in the hospital, assisted living facilities, or in their homes. While spiritual care is typically on an extended basis, the Chaplains also provide care in more acute situations.
If you are interested in becoming involved in learning about the chaplain training program, contact any of our chaplains or Father Gregg. If you have a pastoral care need, please contact the parish office or Father Gregg.
USHERS
As the first people parishioners and visitors see when they arrive at St. Andrews, our ushers serve an important role in making people feel welcome. This is a ministry of service for men and women who enjoy greeting worshipers, answering questions and providing assistance. Duties also include passing out bulletins, collecting the offering, guiding congregants to Communion and picking up after the service. Ushers serve at both Sunday services and at special services when needed.
Contact Gary Nazzarini for more information.
CONTACT
US
1125 Franklin Street
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
(630) 968-9188
We’re at the corner of Saratoga and Franklin in Downers Grove.
We offer a parking lot and street parking.
VISIT
US
Sunday Worship: 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. - Noon