Altar Servers

The primary role of the Altar Server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. In most cases, this is their first ministry in the church and as such, it affords them opportunities to become more involved in stewardship.  Being an Altar Server  instills in the server a closer relationship with God which stays with them the rest of their lives.
 
Altar Servers have several supporting duties to carry out in their Ministry, such as carrying the processional cross  and candles, carrying the incense and thurible, holding the missal for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, assisting the priest when he receives the gifts from the people, washing the hands of the priest before the prayer over the gifts, removing items from the altar during communion, and assisting the priest celebrant and the deacon as necessary.
 
The Altar Serving Ministry is open to boys and girls who have completed third grade, attend Mass regularly and have a desire to serve God in this Ministry. Training of new altar servers occurs in the summer months at the 7 and 9 am Masses where each new altar server is paired with an experienced server for one week.  Once  trained, the new servers will be added to the schedule which is created in the fall for the year.  Please realize becoming an Altar Server is a commitment of time upon which the entire Church community depends.
 
If you would like to answer God's call to stewardship by becoming an altar server, please  contact Alison Hosler (ext. 237).
 

 Click here for the current Altar Server schedule.

Click here for Adoration and Saturday schedule.

Eucharist Ministry Outreach
The Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist prayerfully distribute the Eucharist to the sick and elderly in their homes, in the hospital, the Care Center and Independence Manor.

Each Sunday, Extraordinary Ministers provide and conduct a weekly service at the Care Center and Independence Manor, including Bible readings for Masses as well as prayer recitation. Holy Communion is distributed to patients desiring to receive it.

Special Considerations: Approved Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for St. Magdalen's parish are encouraged to join in these important endeavors. Phone lists, assignments and schedules are distributed to all participants, as well as to the hospital.

Coordinators: For Homebound Catholics - Rita Rafalko, 908-284-9310

For Hunterdon Medical Center - Art Astorino, 908-806-7552

For Hunterdon Care Center and Independence Manor - Art Astorino, 908-806-7552  

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist the priests and serve the parish by distributing the Holy Eucharist at each Mass. Through their reverent and prayerful demeanor they help remind the congregation of the awesome privilege of receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Special Considerations: Interested parishioners receive training. Once training is completed, candidates must be approved by the Diocesan Bishop. Atttendance at formation meetings are encouraged. Typically serve two times each month.

Coordinators:  Alison Hosler, ext. 237 

 Click here for the current Extraordinary Minister Schedule.

Hospitality
It is the members of the Hospitality Ministry that prepare all those wonderful refreshments and treats the parish enjoys following Mass and special.

Special Considerations: Members serve refreshments after Mass seven times each year. Stewards are needed to help with planning, setup, baking, and cleanup.

 Coordinator: Carmela Kinney,  806-4997

Lectors
Pope John Paul II has written:
"It is Christ who speaks, present as He is in His word, when Sacred Scripture is read in the Church". (Dies Domini #39)

 
Whenever we gather to celebrate the Mass, God is present in the assembly, the presider, the scriptures and the Eucharistic bread and wine.  The first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, focuses on the scriptures.  The lector is the minister who brings them to life for all to hear.
 
St. Magdalen's Lectors read at Sunday Masses  about once a month.  There are also Lectors reading during the 7 AM and 9 AM weekday Masses, and each reads about every other week.
 
Each Lector prepares in advance of the Mass by reading the scripture passage contained in a liturgical workbook.  Some scripture may be in the form of a letter, a story, dialogue, a poem, a song, a metaphor, a warning or a discourse to a crowd.  Even though it may seem easy, the lector must pay close attention to the passage's context in its Biblical book, who wrote or said it, and what emotions need to be conveyed in order to convey the correct message of the Word to the congregation at Mass.
 
Coordinators: Dolores Wright 908-782-1359
 
Click here for the current Lector schedule.

Music Ministry

The ministers of music are called on to prayerfully lead the congregation of St. Magdalen's in song while helping to create an uplifting spiritual atmosphere. The music ministry helps bring members of the parish closer to Christ by encouraging their participation in the liturgy by enhancing the inherent beauty of the Mass.

This ministry is comprised of Cantors, the Adult Choir, the Children's Choir, and several other musical groups. All of them fill our church with beautiful music and help make our worship more spiritual.

The role of the Cantor is very important to help the congregation fully participate in the liturgy. Cantors are selected from the choir membership at the discretion of the director.

Special Considerations: The Adult Choir performs at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, from September through June. (Auditions take place in August for the upcoming season). The Choir also performs at the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Confirmation Mass, Holy Week Masses, and Easter Vigil. Practices take place every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Children's Choir is open to any child in grades 2-8. They sing once each month at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, and provide beautiful music for Christmas Eve Mass and First Holy Communion celebrations. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 5:40-6:55 p.m. in the Church or the Parish Center. Children are welcome to join this choir throughout the year.

Coordinators: Dan Palko, 908-782-2922 ext. 223

Children's Choir: Gina Niedziejko, 908-788-7150 
 

Ushers
Providing seating assistance is only one of the many areas in which these gracious stewards minister to St. Magdalen's parishioners. Ushers ring the bell announcing the priest's arrival for Mass. They manage the collection of our treasures, coordinate the gift presentation during Mass, and orchestrate the orderly participation in receiving Holy Communion.

In the unlikely event of an emergency situation during Mass, the Ushers would be called upon to respond to the need. And at the conclusion of the Mass, they distribute the church bulletin, with a smile and a pleasant "good day."

Contact: Regina Edersheim, 908-782-2922, Ext. 211