In the picture on the right; Deacon Les is training altar servers. Altar servers provide a very special ministry. They assist the priest and in so doing help everyone to praise God in a meaningful and dignified way. Priests and worshippers need and welcome the generous service of boys and girls. New faces are always welcome. Training and support is provided. Contact: Selvyn Wasserfall
Extra-ordinary ministers of Holy Communion
This is a ministry in which we assist our priest in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ and by our conduct we must be examples of Christians living in faith. We must strive to grow in holiness through this sacrament of unity and love.
While normally this ministry is by invitation only, you are welcome to indicate your willingness to be a minister of the Eucharist.
When we invite friends for a meal, we do much more than offer them food for their bodies. We offer friendship, fellowship, good conversation, intimacy, and closeness. When we say: "Help yourself ... take some more ... don't be shy ... have another glass," we offer our guests not only our food and our drink but also ourselves. A spiritual bond grows, and we become food and drink for one another other.
In the most complete and perfect way, this happens when Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist as food and drink. By offering us his Body and Blood, Jesus offers us the most intimate communion possible. It is a divine communion.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen
Flowers at St Michael's
A small, skilled group takes turns to arrange and care for the beautiful arragements which grace our alters. Influences from the liturgical time of year and/or special feasts are borne in mind. With the increasing cost of flowers, the demands of providing somthing beautiful for God is challenge we are still able to meet. If you want to test and stretch your creative flower arraging skills, and help us maintain the high standard for our beloved Church. Contact: Pattie Fehrsen
Liturgy
The Liturgy Committee anticipates the liturgical seasons to ensure that the eucharistic celebrations are well served by Ministers of the Eucharist, readers, servers and helpers. And also by parishioners' contributions to the Prayers of the Faithful. The two choirs are represented on the Committee and co-ordinate the music. Parishioners are encouraged to participate in the Parish's liturgical life.
You probably noticed some time ago that the readers were no longer saying ‘This is the Word of the Lord’ at the end of the readings, and now simply say ‘The Word of the Lord’. This change was made so that ‘The Word of the Lord’ would be in a form parallel with the words ‘The Body of Christ’, ‘The Blood of Christ’ and ‘The mystery of faith’ (in the Eucharistic Prayer). The Mass readings are the word of the Lord proclaimed – not just in written form, but as they are spoken. God is present to us in the speaking of the Word; in its proclamation. This is why we should listen and not switch off and simply read from our Missals – and why our readers need to practice well, and to proclaim, with faith and love, the Word of the Lord.
The Word is "alive and active" and readers should be able to stand before the congregation, confident in the Lord, and read powerfully and convincingly. For Readers to understand their ministry is to understand that God speaks through them; that God actually uses the reader's voice to communicate with his gathered people. Contact Margaret Blackie:
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Our Role as Ministers of the Word as outlined by the DVD "Become One Body One Spirit In Christ"
Comments from Ministers of the Word about the above video clip:
"the video clip is excellent, if a bit daunting…!!"
Gavin Smith
"I decided to watch the video again and it really is a truly beautiful video. It really helps to create a greater understanding of our ministry. "
Sarah O'Leary
The Folk Choir
The Folk Choir has been in existence for over 30 years and while sometimes small in size, it has always had a very big heart. Some say that its success over the years lies in the fact that it is there not to perform to the congregation but simply to lead it in song. That is probably the reason the congregation at St. Michael's itself sings so heartily. The choir is first and foremost a ministry and we invite all those, young and old, to come and join us. If you like singing, we would love to have you. If you play an instrument, whether it is guitar, piano, brass, woodwind, string or percussion, we encourage you to come and have some fun with us. The commitment is not huge - Sundays at 5.00pm and a practice once every few months in the evening. Contact: Adrian van Stolk
The Prayers of the Faithful
The Constitution on the liturgy of the Second Vatican Council restored, especially on Sundays and holydays of obligation, the “universal prayer” or more familiarly called “prayer of the faithful”. By this prayer, in which the people are to take part, intercession shall be made containing at least one petition from each of the following four intentions – “the needs of the Church universal; national and world affairs, those beset by poverty or tribulation; the congregation and members of the local community”. The prayer is a petition addressed to God at the very end of every celebration of the word of God. Having been “instructed, stirred and renewed by the word, all stand together to offer prayer for the needs of the whole Church and the whole world”. Thus, this prayer is the fruit as it were, “of the working of the word of God in the hearts of the people”. “Firm in its faith in the communion of saints and in its all-embracing vocation, the gathered Church in offering this prayer stands as the great entreater and advocate appointed for all humanity. The holy people of God exercise their royal priesthood to the fullest above all by sharing in the sacraments, but also by joining in this prayer”. For the last few years, four groups, numbering 14 people, have prepared the prayers of the faithful for the Sunday liturgy. If there are any parishioners who would like to participate, please email Brian Alt.
The Sacristan
The ministry of the sacristan provides a vital service to the community. The alter and sanctuary are prepared for every liturgy, be it for a week day mass, baptism, funeral or wedding. All those things necessary to keep the sanctuary and sacristry clean and orderly, with each different liturgy in place has been carefully prepared by our sacristan, Zekarias Gebremedhin Ginbot. To contact Zekarias you may phone 079 461 5118 or Email him.
The St. Michael's Choir
It is not surprising that Pope Benedict XVI who plays the piano and has a preference for the music of Bach and Mozart, should have requested that excellence of music in services should be one of the special aims of the worship in our churches.
We have always been proud that our St Michael's Catholic Church Choir is one of the very few choirs left in the Cape area that tries to provide the finest in the rich heritage of Catholic church music.
Under the baton of our choirmaster and organist Dr. Barry Smith, the choir has a large repertoire of motets and mass settings and is proud of all its members. The choir invites those interested in joining to contact our choirmaster after 9am mass on Sunday.
As the psalmist wrote - 'Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing to him a psalm of praise.' New International Version, Psalm 47 vs 6 & 7.