Liturgical Ministers
Thank you for serving as ministers, which helps the parish to pray well and so be built up in faith.

If you are serving in any capacity, please come early enough to prepare for your ministry and sign in on the sign-up sheet in the sacristy. If you are a Eucharistic Minister, please note the duties next to your name on the sign-up sheet. All Eucharistic Ministers stay after Mass to help clean up.

If you cannot fulfill your assignment, you are responsible for finding a sub prior to Mass.  Click the Ministry Sub List for help locating a sub, or use the new Live Liturgical Ministry Schedule link.  Thank you!

FOR ALL LITURGICAL MINISTERS

1. With the change in CDC guidelines on February 28, 2022, regarding masking, the Diocese of Des Moines is removing its strong recommendation for mask use, and will no longer require masks to be used for ministers or the faithful, including during the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. Continue with good hygiene practices. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer when first arriving, and as needed during the liturgy. Cover coughs with a tissue or elbow.
3. While the six-foot physical distancig protocol is no longer in place, individuals may still be uncomfortable with close contact. Care should still be taken in indoor public places not to crowd. Please continue to minimize the time in the sacristy. 
4. People may choose to mask at any time.
5. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should find a sub.
6. The handshake of peace has been resumed, but some individuals may not be comfortable with physical contact. Respect the decisions of others.

FOR ALTAR SERVERS

1. Servers will wash their hands prior to getting ready for Mass, and use hand sanitizer as needed before, during and after Mass.
2. Keep some distance from others not in your household, while processing, sitting in the pew or kneeling at the altar.

FOR LECTORS

1. Lectors should use hand sanitizer prior to going up to the ambo.
2. Lectors will continue to fill the roles of the commentator: one lector will give the announcements before Mass, the other will lead the intercessions.

 
FOR GREETERS

1. Greeters should contunue to use good hygiene practices, such as using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes with an elbow or tissue, and following up with hand sanitizer.
2. Handshakes and physical contact are now permissible, with common sense. For instance if someone appears sick, it's best to avoid physical contact.
3. You or other individuals may not be ready to resume physical contact, and everyone should respect this decision. It is permissible to welcome individuals without physical contact.

 
FOR USHERS

1. Ushers will help to seat people and encourage households to move to the center of the pew to allow more seating at the end of the pew.
2. The passing of the collection baskets has been resumed.
3. The procession with gifts has resumed. Since there is still no commentator, ushers will find a family to bring up the gifts.
4. Ushers will help direct people for the procession for communion. People will process as usual, but should avoid crowding the person in front of them.
5. Ushers have resumed handing out bulletins to individuals. Use hand sanitizer prior to handing out bulletins and afterwards.

 
FOR EXRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

1. Effective February 28, 2022, the Dioces of Des Moines has lifted the requirement to wear a mask while distributing Communion.
2. Remember to use hand sanitizer as you enter the church and before distributing Communion. Hand sanitizer will be available at the credence table.
3. Effective with Advent 2022, the Bishop has given permission to bring back distribution of the Precious Blood. At Ss. John and Paul, this will be done by Intinction by Fr. Mark. He will stand in the middle of the center aisle, with a middle line forming for those who wish to receive by Intinction. There will be four additional ministers of the Bread—one on either side of Fr Mark, and one at the head of each of the side aisles.
4. If anyone wants to receive communion on the tongue, kindly notify them that they must be last in line. Ministers may also send these individuals to the priest's line.
5. When finished distributing communion, all the ministers sanitize their hands at the credence table.