Liturgical Ministries

The University of the Incarnate Word offers a variety of ways to become involved in the worship life of the campus. Whether you are a seasoned minister or new to ministry, training is provided each semester. We invite you to participate in any of the following ministries.

Altar Servers

Altar servers assist the priest in preparing various details of the liturgy. These may include carrying the cross in procession, assisting the presider with the Sacramentary, preparing the altar table and vessels, lighting candles, preparing incense and other sacramentals.

Environment Team

Members of the environment team assist in preparing the chapel for the liturgical seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

As a Eucharistic Minister, you will distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the faithful during the Eucharistic celebrations.

Hospitality

Hospitality ministers welcome people as they arrive, hand out hymnals, take up the collection and distribute the bulletin.

Lector

Lectors (reader) proclaim Sacred Scripture (the Word of God) to the assembly. They may also assist in reading the Universal Prayer (Prayers of the Faithful) of the community.

Music Minister

The music ministry contributes to the worship life of the campus by offering a variety of musical styles - contemporary to traditional, vocal and instrumental - which prayerfully serve and enhance the sung prayer of our liturgies, both Catholic and ecumenical. Our choirs include students, faculty, staff and members of the local community. Each choir rehearses weekly during the academic year in preparation for Sunday Masses and other liturgical services. Both choirs welcome instrumentalists. Those who serve in our cantor ministry participate regularly in the prayer life of the campus and are typically members of one of our choirs. Additional formation is provided for those interested in this ministry.

IJWTH (I Just Want to Help) Team

Unsure where you'd like to get involved? Join our IJWTH (I Just Want to Help) Team. We'll be in contact when we need specific help. Just respond to our communication, and we'll fill you in on all the details. Thanks in advance for your willingness to share your time and talents! 

St. Isidore Virtual Ministry

We look to St. Isidore of Seville, patron saint of the internet to guide us as we continue to serve our UIW community through virtual means when possible and appropriate. Our St. Isidore Virtual Ministry’s mission, using audio and visual technology, is to spiritually and pastorally support our UIW family near and far. Technology can be a gift in offering our loved ones an opportunity to join our University family on occasion. It can also lessen the distance that separates our many UIW campuses (including those abroad). And, it can keep us connect to our campus faith community when we must be separated due to illness. Below are short descriptions of some of the various opportunities to live out this unique ministry:

• Livestream Ministers (our “A/V angels”) are responsible for working our streaming equipment and assisting in keeping our campus community connected when we must be apart. Livestreaming is available for our Sunday 11 a.m. Mass and other special services (as noted in our worship schedule).
• St. Isidore Liturgical Ministers lead prayer virtually by ministering as prayer leaders or readers.
• Ps. 98 Music Ministers was an outgrowth of the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person worship and choir rehearsals were not possible. We learned we could still “Sing a new song” in a virtual space. This music ministry facilitates online sung and instrumental prayer when necessary.