Liturgy and Worship Ministries

The first document of the Second Vatican Council, issued in 1963, called for the laity to take a more active role in the celebration of the liturgy. Various liturgical ministries provide this opportunity for the laity to assist the clergy in their role of leading God's people in prayer.

For questions about the ministry schedules, please contact Kellie Abbott at 724-902-9121 for the Mt. St. Peter Parish schedule, George Pecoraro at gpecoraro@dioceseofgreensburg.org for the St. Mary of Czestochowa schedule, or Margie Staniszewski through the Parish Office at 724-335-9877 for the St. Joseph Parish schedule.

Scroll down or click the icons below to learn more about the different Liturgy and Worship Ministries in the NKCC parishes.

Altar Servers (Youth and Adult)

Altar servers (both youth and adult) assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy. The Youth Altar Server Ministry is open to any youth currently in grades 4 though 12 and who is currently a member of one of the NKCC parishes. The Adult Altar Server Ministry is open to any adult parishioner of one of the NKCC parishes.

Besides weekend Masses, altar servers also minister at special liturgies throughout the year such as the Easter Triduum, weddings, and devotional services. Adult altar servers primarily serve at funerals, during week day Masses, or as an addition to youth altar servers at special liturgies throughout the year.

New servers are welcome at any time. Training will be provided for this ministry. For more information please contact the parish office at 724-335-9877.

Communion Ministry to the Homebound

Many of our sisters and brothers are unable to be with us at Sunday Mass, but they are still a part of our community, the Body of Christ. Aware of the need for us to share the Word of God and the Eucharist with our sisters and brothers who are unable to be with us, we invite parishioners to visit them and share with them the Bread of God’s Word and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Some parishioners are visited weekly and others are visited monthly.

To help with the Communion Ministry to the Homebound or if you would like to receive Holy Communion at home, please contact the parish office at 724-335-9877.

Environment and Art Committee

Each liturgical season and festival requires a different use of color, plants, and environment. From the festival of Christmas to the Pashcal Triduum, the Environment and Art Committee strives to enhance our worship spaces to further engage us in our celebration of the church year. The committee is responsible for developing a plan, coordinating the volunteers needed to enhance the space, and evaluating the design after each liturgical season.

The committee meets once a month. To join, please contact Monica Pallone at 724-335-6733.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have an important role at Mass. They assist the priest in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ.

This ministry is done with great care and reverence for the Eucharist as well as a sense of love for God’s holy people as they come forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

For more information please contact the parish office at 724-335-9877.

Hospitality Ministry (Greeters and Ushers)

Greeters

Greeters serve as a model for all as they offer hospitality and a warm welcome to all who come to worship. They are scheduled to serve at weekend liturgies and special services. New greeters are welcome at any time. In addition to adults, Families and/or Youth are welcome to inquire about becoming greeters.

For more information about the Greeter Ministry, please contact Kellie Abbott at 724-902-9121 for Mt. St. Peter Parish or Bill Englert through the parish office at 724-335-9877 for St. Joseph Parish.

Ushers

The ministry of the usher is a ministry of hospitality. The ushers assist at all weekend Masses to provide a sense of welcome, distribute worship aids and bulletins, take up the collection and facilitate the processions within the liturgy.

For more information about the Usher Ministry, please contact the parish office at 724-335-9877.

Lectors

The lector proclaims the Word of God to the assembly at the celebration of the Mass each Sunday. The ministry of the lector requires a person to love the Word of God and be eager to proclaim the Word with sensitivity to the text and the delivery to the assembly.

Any member of an NKCC parish who is in the 10th grade or older is welcome to join. Please contact the parish office at 724-335-9877 for more information.

Music Ministry

Whether you like to play or sing we have many opportunities for you to be involved in the music ministries in the NKCC parishes! For each of the ministry opportunities below, please contact Diane Painter at dpainter@dioceseofgreensburg.org for St. Joseph Parish or David Leo at dleo@dioceseofgreensburg.org for Mt. St. Peter Parish.

Adult Choir

The Adult Choir is a community of men and women who love to sing and are committed to support and enhance the assembly's worship. The Adult Choirs in the NKCC parishes sing a variety of musical styles including contemporary, traditional, classical, and gospel.

At St. Joseph Parish, the Adult Choir sings on weekends and Feast Day liturgies. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, and the choir is in recess through the summer months. New members are always welcome! Youth in Grade 8 and above are welcome to join.
At Mt. St. Peter Parish, the Adult Choir typically rehearses from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM on Thursday evenings and the season begins mid to late September and continues until Pentecost. The Choir alternates singing Saturday afternoon at 4:30 PM and Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM throughout the year and sings for Christmas, an Epiphany Concert, Tenebrae, and the Paschal Triduum.

Cantors

The role of the cantor is one of the most important liturgical roles in the liturgy. The cantor leads, inspires, and prayerfully animates the assembly to sing forth God’s praise at each liturgy. A high level of preparation is needed for this ministry so that both the liturgical and musical demands of this ministry can be carried out with love and dignity for God’s people. Both men and women are welcome to join the Cantor Ministry.

Handbell Choir (Mt. St. Peter Parish only)

Did you ever want to play a musical instrument but never had the opportunity? We need people who are willing to ring bells for the Handbell Choirs at MSP! Although music reading is helpful, it is not required. Rehearsal time is as follows:

Handbell Choir - Thursday Evening from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Contact David Leo to learn more or join!

Instrumentalist

Instrumental accompanists play at special Masses throughout the year. If you would like to share your talents as an instrumentalist or accompanist, please contact the Director of Music at the parish where you would like to serve.

Men's Choir (St. Joseph Parish only)

The Men's Choir is a male-only choir that sings several times during the church year. Rehearsals are on an as-needed basis. This choir ministry is currently only offered at St. Joseph Parish.

Resurrection Choir

The ministry of the Resurrection Choir is one that provides great comfort for families in their time of loss as they sing at the funeral liturgy. This ministry is meant to bring glory to God and consolation to the bereaved.

At St. Joseph Parish, rehearsals for the Resurrection Choir take place before the Funeral Liturgy, which makes this choir ideal for those who cannot commit to a weekly rehearsal schedule but are still interested in sharing their musical talents. New members are always welcome.
At Mt. St. Peter Parish, members of the Resurrection Choir are called several days before the funeral and invited to come to sing at the funeral liturgy. The Resurrection Choir rehearses once a month.

Sacristans

A sacristan assists in the preparations needed for daily, weekend, holy day, wedding, and funeral Masses. There is a team of sacristans who serve. Please contact the parish office at 724-335-9877 for more information about this ministry.