Behind The Scene

By Mary Jeppson

      Whenever we watch a show on television the credits are run at the end of the show. It tells the names of all the people who made the production of the show possible. Most of us leave the room and never know who was behind the scene. I began to wonder what was being done behind the scene to get things organized for the weekend Mass schedule.

      The organization begins in the parish office.  There, all the schedules come together. The bulletin is the information center for the parish. It has articles written by volunteers about our faith and information to keep our parish families aware of what is going on here at St. Therese, Newman Catholic Schools and the surrounding area. Then it is sent out to be printed. On Thursdays, flyers are assembled into the bulletin by volunteers and sent over to the church to be distributed after Mass.

      During the week the priest is reviewing the readings for the Mass and preparing the homily.  The musicians and singers are practicing and preparing the music for the Mass. Volunteers in charge of decorating the church are caring for the plants and flowers. The custodial people are cleaning the church and clearing the walks and parking lots.

      Typically, a sacristan, (a person who is responsible for the contents of a church related to liturgical worship, such as vestments, vessels, books, etc.) begins to prepare for the Mass. However, at St. Therese we do not have an official sacristan…we have volunteers who do this work. They come at least thirty minutes before Mass begins to prepare and place the items needed for the Mass on the Credence Table (a small side table for holding liturgical objects until needed during Mass). They place the Lavabo Dish (a saucer used for the priests ceremonial washing of fingers), and a small pitcher of water along with the Finger Bowl and Towel, the Ciborium (gold vessel holding unconsecrated hosts), Wine and Water Cruets (on Weekends we use a wine pitcher), and the Chalice (a blessed cup that holds the wine). The chalice is prepared with a Purificator (a band of linen used to cleanse the chalice) placed over the chalice and pushed down into the center of the cup. The Paten (a flat saucer of the same material as the chalice; it is for the host) is placed on the chalice with a large unconsecrated host. Next the Pall (a stiff square cardboard covered by linen and used to cover the top of the chalice) is placed over the paten. The Chalice veil covers the chalice and paten from the beginning of Mass until the offertory. On top of the veil is the Corporal. A square of linen cloth placed upon the altar and upon which the chalice and paten are placed. The patens the altar servers will use at communion are also placed on the table and the Lectionary book at the pulpit for the readers.

      Before Mass begins, the ushers are assisting people as they enter the church. They will take up the collection and direct the people at communion.  After Mass they hand out the bulletins and inspect the pews for items that may have been left behind.

      After putting on their albs, the reader, altar servers and the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are ready to proceed down the aisle with the priest as the musicians and choir or cantor begin the music for the Mass.

      After Mass is over, the Finance Engineers take the money collected and count it. New volunteers show up for the next Mass and the process starts all over again.

      This is only a brief summary of what goes on behind the scene here at St. Therese. We are grateful for those who currently share their talents. However, there is a need for more volunteers to become a part of the behind the scene stewardship. It’s time for you to take the first step. Please join us behind the scene!