Ushers provide welcome and dignified order to the celebration of the Mass, helping to seat people, answer questions, keep a watchful eye on those who may need extra help. Other duties include taking up the weekly collection, and ensuring that a family is available to bring forward the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory. If you would like to become an usher at Mass, please contact the parish office for direction.
Mass begins with the Introductory Rites. These start with the entrance of the ministers and end just before the readings. The assembly is invited to stand throughout the Introductory Rites. Ushers work towards this goal even before Mass begins. From the moment people arrive at church, they are to "come together as one," "establish communion," and "dispose themselves to listen" to the readings. You are in a unique position to help. When you greet people with a friendly face, you are already helping establish the communion that is so essential for the first part of the Mass. As people enter, you will do more than welcome them. You may help them with other needs - be ready to receive donations for the soup kitchen,help someone up the steps, or direct people to the restrooms. All these actions form community.

If you would like to be an Usher (man or woman) at any of our Anticipatory/Sunday Masses please contact Gary Johnson, 208-651-4099. [email protected] 
 

"Therefore, in the liturgy, you are much more than simple, "helpers of the parish priest."  Above all, you are servers of Jesus Christ, of the eternal High Priest.  Thus, you, altar servers, are called in particular to be young friends of Jesus.  Be determined to go deeper and to cultivate this friendship with him.  You will discover that in Jesus you have found a true friend for life."

   ~ Excerpt from Pope John Paul II, General Audience, August 1, 2001

The unique role of the Altar Server (Acolyte) is an integral part of the normal celebration of Holy Mass.  Other than Priests and Deacons, no one else is allowed to so closely participate in the preparation of the Eucharist.  At St. Thomas Apostle, Servers are chosen from among the youth (ages 7-18) who display a willingness and desire to learn about this Ministry, while committing themselves to gain and comprehend a sense of its purpose.  There are two main functions performed by Altar Servers.

The primary function of the Altar Server is to help the Priest during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, e.g., arrive early, monitor and prepare credence table, light and extinguish all necessary candles, carry processional Crucifix and processional candles, hold Sacramentary, set up Altar, deliver ciborium(s) and decanter to Altar, hold lavabo and towel, ring bells, retrieve cups, clear Altar, prepare thurible (censor) and serve as Thurifer or Boat Boy, carry aspergillum, and take proper care of server vestments, etc.

When executed properly, the Server's primary function blends perfectly with the secondary function of a server; which is, to help the congregation in their worship during Holy Mass.  This is accomplished by the server's knowledge and understanding of the parts and order of the Mass, anticipating the proper timing and locations of the various postures, prayer response, singing, reverence, attentiveness, discipline, decorum, appearance, commitment, and dedication, etc.

At least three (3) Servers are needed for Sunday Masses, and as many as five (5) Servers are needed for special occasions.  Servers might also be needed to help the priest during baptisms, weddings, and funerals.  All Altar Servers at St. Thomas wear a small Crucifix over their cassock and surplice that indicates their year(s) of service and/or their leadership capacity.  Applicants for this Ministry must either: a) be Confirmed; or, b) have received First Holy Communion and be enrolled in the Parish Religious Education Program or Holy Family Catholic School.  All Servers are recruited and trained by a suitable representative of the pastor, under his direct supervision.

If you are interested in serving as an Altar Server please contact Brian Moen 208-651-6722. [email protected]

"Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion" is the formal title of laypeople who distribute the Eucharist during Mass. As the title implies, there are also "ordinary ministers" - those who are literally "ordained" to the ministry namely bishops, priests, and deacons. In most places, especially when Communion is offered under the forms of both bread and wine, there are rarely enough "ordinary" ministers for the timely distribution of Communion. Ministers of Communion receive spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence.

If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact Andy Finney at [email protected].

St. Thomas lectors unite faith and skill in proclaiming Holy Scripture. As Ministers of the Word, lectors convey the word of God to the people of the parish. In keeping with the highest standards of our ministry, lectors must be truly suited to speak before a large audience with poise and effectiveness. Lectors meet when necessary to review the protocol and key oral reading skills. We welcome qualified Catholics who share our mission to join our ministry.

An orientation at the church where prospective lectors review the lector protocol and read at the microphone is required. Contact Andy Finney at [email protected].