Worship Ministries
Because the liturgy is the most important work of the Church and the heart of our parish life, OLA’s Worship Ministries invite parishioners to join in this sacred service. These ministries offer opportunities to pray together, prepare and support our liturgies, and assist in their reverent celebration. Through their dedication and gifts, our volunteers help make each liturgy a vibrant expression of our faith.
If you have questions about an individual ministry, please contact the ministry leader listed below, our Director of Music & Liturgy, Jake Mappes, jmappes@olachurch.org, or the Pastoral Council Commission Ministry Head, Jocelyn Ralston, at PC-Worship@olachurch.org.
Liturgical Support Ministries
These ministries are for those parishioners who prefer to support our communal prayer outside of actual liturgies.
Altar Linen Ministry
Members of the Altar Linen ministry launder and iron linens used in the celebration of the Eucharist each week. Each member is assigned one week 4 times per year.
Karina Bryant, kbryant@olachurch.org
Altar Server Vestment Care
Members of this ministry clean and mend the vestments used by the altar servers.
Kristin Van Buskirk, vestments@olachurch.org
Environment and Art
This group plans and implements the decor that enhances our church building throughout the year. Our work centers on the liturgical calendar, so volunteers are needed most during seasons like Advent, Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. Some of our work is more skilled, like floral work, but some is more ‘’worker bee,” like sweeping, lifting and carrying, or watering plants.
Jocelyn Ralston, environment-art@olachurch.org
Nursery (Sunday 9am Mass)
The Nursery is available during the 9am Sunday Mass for children 1- 4 years of age throughout the school year (the weekend after Labor Day through the weekend before Memorial Day). The Nursery is located in the OLA Preschool classrooms - follow directional signs on Sunday. Laura Kleinman, nursery@olachurch.org
Liturgical Ministries
These ministries involve parishioners who assist in the prayerful preparation, celebration, and conclusion of our liturgies.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesdays from 8am - 6pm in the Daily Chapel. Eucharistic Adoration is visiting and spending time in quiet prayer with Jesus present in the Eucharist. It is an expression of our love for Jesus. You can drop in at any time or sign up each week as a Guardian for an hour.
Francisca (Ria) Xaveria, adoration@olachurch.org, Sign up at www.olachurch.org/adoration
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Adults)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) are commissioned to serve communion at weekend and daily Masses. Added training allows you to minister to the homebound, care centers and hospitals (See Ministers of Care on the Christian Outreach Page). New EMHC training is held in the spring and the fall.
RaeAnn Brothers, Coordinator, rae.ann.heenan@gmail.com
Sharon Adams (Trainer), sharonfadams@bellsouth.net
Funeral Coordinators
The loss of a loved one, no matter what the age, causes pain and upheaval for a family. Our parish funeral ministry has the honor of helping families through this difficult time. The ministry entails meeting with family members to plan the funeral liturgy - through scheduling, selecting readings and hymns, and being there to guide the family on the day of the funeral. Ideally, volunteers work in teams of two, rotating between funeral requests, and in coordination with the parish office. Please prayerfully consider joining this vital and rewarding ministry - it is more rewarding than you can imagine.
Karen Kotara, funerals@olachurch.org
Greeters and Ushers
Greeters welcome those attending liturgies and provide assistance to those in need of seating. Ushers take up the offertory collection and assist at communion. They work together to hand out bulletins and straighten up the church pews and Narthex after Mass.
Carlo Pierelli, ushers@olachurch.org
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Through prayerful preparation and clear proclamation, they help the assembly hear and reflect on Scripture as the living voice of God. This ministry is ideal for parishioners who feel called to share God’s Word with confidence, reverence, and faith.
Jake Mappes, Director of Music & Liturgy, jmappes@olachurch.org
Sacristans
Sacristans prepare the sacred space for Mass and other liturgies. They set out the vessels, vestments, and other items needed for worship, ensuring everything is ready for a reverent and prayerful celebration. This behind-the-scenes ministry is ideal for those who are attentive, organized, and eager to support the liturgy in a meaningful way.
Jake Mappes, Director of Music & Liturgy, jmappes@olachurch.org
Wedding Guild
Wedding Guild members assist couples in pre-wedding preparations, the rehearsal, and on the day of the wedding. No previous experience necessary. Time commitment is shared with other coordinators.
Christie Slaton and Mary Bligh, weddingguild@olachurch.org.
Music Ministries
The Music Ministry at OLA serves at all weekend Masses and Holy Days of Obligation. Its mission is to foster a warm, welcoming, and formative environment for anyone who feels called to share their gifts in service to the Church. Through the beauty of music, our musicians help lead the assembly in prayer and create worshipful, powerful moments throughout the liturgy.
All are welcome—regardless of experience, availability, or age—to explore the many opportunities within OLA’s Music Ministry and discover how they can share their talents in praise of God.
Click here for more information about Music Ministry at OLA.
Jake Mappes, Director of Music & Liturgy, jmappes@olachurch.org
Children and Youth
5:30PM Sunday Mass Ministries
Our 5:30pm Sunday Mass is served exclusively by teens of our parish grades 6 and higher. Lectors, Ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are needed.
Nick Ables, Director of Youth Ministry, nables@olachurch.org
Altar Servers
These young ministers (boys & girls 3rd grade and older) are trained to assist the clergy in the celebration of the Eucharist for school Masses, weekend liturgies, funerals, and nuptial Masses.
VyVy Lee, servers@olachurch.org
Children's Choir (1st - 5th Grades)
Children from 1st-6th grade are invited to join the Children's Choir. 3rd-6th graders proclaim the psalm. The Children's Choir sings 1-2 times a month at the 9am Mass during the school year and at Christmas and Easter.
Jake Mappes, Director of Music, jmappes@olachurch.org
Children's Liturgy of the Word (Kindergarten and 1st Grade)
Each Sunday at the 9am Mass during the school year, children who are in kindergarten and first grade are invited to leave Mass to listen to the Liturgy of the Word for children on their own. They will have a time of reflection on the Word, then head back to Mass to join their family at the offertory.
Bridgett Posey, childrensliturgy@olachurch.org
Teen Choir (6th - 12th Grades)
All adults and teens 7th grade and up are invited to participate in the Life Teen Band and Choir that leads music at the 5:30pm Sunday Mass each week. With an emphasis on modern praise and worship music as well as contemporary arrangements of classic hymns, rehearsals begin promptly at 4:30pm in the upstairs choir room.
Jake Mappes, Director of Music, jmappes@olachurch.org
Little Lambs
Each Sunday at the 9am Mass during the school year, independent preschool aged children are invited to receive their own Liturgy of the Word during Mass. They are led out by our community shepherd prior to the first reading, and then return to Mass at the offertory. They experience scripture and a reflection designed just for their age group.
Maggie Holcombe, littlelambs@olachurch.org