Worship is the source and center of our parish life and growth. Some of us gather daily, others weekly, all in need of God's Word and Sacrament. We pray and sing in full voices, we listen to and learn from God's Word proclaimed and preached, we offer petitions and gifts of love, many offer their talents and services to ministries, and all of us strive to witness in daily life what we profess... the endless and boundless love of our God who saves us all.

Terrie McGraw, Director
(916) 482-9666 Ext. 214

LECTOR MINISTRY
We currently have 38 trained lectors who proclaim God's Word at our weekend liturgies. Ten of our Lectors are also available to minister at Funeral Liturgies whenever needed or requested. Della Waxstein serves as the overall coordinator of this ministry. Resources for our lectors are the Lector Workbook published by LTP, pronunciation guides, and our own Parish Lector Handbooks. Part of the commitment to being a lector at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish includes participation in a Lector Workshop evening each fall.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY  We currently have 126 trained Eucharistic Ministers who commit to serving at our weekend liturgies. Jeanne Anderson-West serves as the overall coordinator for this ministry with the assistance of individual mass coordinators. Resources for our Eucharistic Ministers include a Parish Eucharistic Ministry Handbook and a monthly newsletter. One of the current goals for this ministry is to increase the number of ministers at the 11:30 am Mass in response to the growing size of our assembly at that mass. In order to serve as a Eucharistic Minister, the Diocese requires that you be 18 years of age and fully-initiated in the Catholic Church.

XAVIER MINISTRY(Parishioners who take Holy Communion to the homebound)
We currently have 25 trained Xavier Ministers. Ellie Meissner is the interim overall coordinator for this ministry. Some of our Xavier Ministers bring communion to individuals at their residences or care facilities and others conduct communion services at care facilities in the area. Many of our Xavier ministers work in teams or with partners. Resources for these ministers include a parish Xavier Ministry Handbook and booklets and prayers for Communion to the Sick. We always welcome new members in this ministry. A prerequisite to serving in Xavier Ministry is being trained as a parish Eucharistic Minister.

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY- always happy for more help!  Hospitality Ministry at St. Ignatius Loyola is an expansion of what used to be called 'Usher Ministry'. Hospitality ministers greet people as they arrive for mass, assist in seating people at mass, collecting the Mass offerings and help present the community's gifts at the eucharistic table. Hospitality Ministers also distribute bulletins to people as they leave church after mass. This ministry has a parish Hospitality Ministry Handbook. Hospitality Ministry is open to participation by individuals and/or entire families. All are welcome to join simply by speaking to one of the Hospitality Ministers before or after mass. There is no age limitation for serving in this ministry. There is, however, a minimum height requirement of 4-feet tall just for taking up the Collections.

ALTAR SOCIETY   Altar Society members are committed to the care and cleaning of our Sanctuary, Sacristy, Chapel, altar linens and vestments of the Church. Every time you light a votive candle or dip your hand in holy water, remember these untiring 'ministers behind-the-scenes'. In addition to care and cleaning, the Altar Society regularly funds the purchases of vestments and altar cloths. This past year they purchased the exterior jubilee banner and a second rack of electronic votive candles. In order to raise money for the church needs in this area, the Altar Society holds a Boutique Sale each November. At the Boutique Sale, handcrafted items made by the members are sold. Items include many holiday decorations and gift items as well as delicious baked goods. Anyone interested in joining the Altar Society can call the Rectory office and leave their name and phone number and the President, Mary O'Reilly, will contact you. More workers are always appreciated!

MUSIC MINISTRY   We have various and varied music groups that serve at our liturgies to support our congregations in sung prayer. Currently 24 musicians/singers serve in this ministry. Anyone wishing to join music ministry should contact the Parish Music Director, Mindy Vance Trup at 482-2273.

SIGN INTERPRETER   At the 5:30 Sunday mass and various special liturgies during the year, Jean Nelson provides Sign Interpretation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Anyone who knows ASL and is interested in this ministry can contact Jean Nelson at the parish phone number, 482-9666, ext. 233.

ALTAR SERVER MINISTRY  Parish children who have completed the fourth grade level and have received First Eucharist can register to be altar servers by contacting Fr. Bob Glynn, SJ or Ernie Giles at the Rectory Office. The adult leadership team for Altar Servers this year consists of Fr. Bob Glynn, Ernie Giles, Joanne Walker and Ellie Meissner. There are also student peer leaders known as Mass Captains who assist the adult leaders. We currently have 62 parish children trained in this ministry. After completing training, they are scheduled for regular service at weekend liturgies. Trained servers are also required to attend a Workshop each year. Experienced Altar Servers are also called to serve at our parish funeral liturgies.

SACRISTANS  We have a dedicated group of parishioners who regularly serve as sacristans for our two daily masses Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings. If you are interested in helping on this team, please contact Ellie Meissner at ext. 214. Also, we have one person who has volunteered as a Funeral Sacristan which requires a little different training and works on an "as available, on-call" basis. We could certainly use the services of an additional person in this ministry. Please call Ellie Meissner at ext. 214 if you think you could help out as a funeral sacristan.

SOUND BOARD MINISTRY  Our new church sound system requires mixing operators at weekend liturgies whenever there is a music group. We are always looking for people with an interest in music/sound technology and who also have excellent hearing and problem-solving skills. Anyone with soundboard experience would be very welcome on our team of operators. Please leave your name and phone number with the Liturgy Office at 482-9666, ext 214.

WEDDING COORDINATORS   We currently have 3 wedding coordinators in our parish - Faith Simon, Brenda Narayan and Erica Schalmo. They provide vital help and support for couples and families before and during Wedding Rehearsals and Wedding Ceremonies.

Our coordinators have a parish Wedding Coordinator Handbook and consult coordinators at other parishes as well. Anyone interested in becoming a wedding coordinator can call the parish office and dial ext. 176 to leave a message in the Wedding Coordinator's voice mailbox.

Training as a parish Eucharistic Minister is a requirement of this ministry.

MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION  We are working this year on forming a comprehensive Ministry of Consolation. Mr. Alan Nissila is the overall coordinator for this Ministry, which has 8 members so far. This is a ministry of Presence and Prayer, to pray for the dead and to comfort those who mourn. Some of our consolation ministers are on-call to attend funeral and vigil services as their schedules allow, thus representing the larger parish community and supporting those who mourn. In addition, some consolation ministers also help by leading prayer and some are beginning to help with the liturgy planning for vigil services and funeral masses.