Worship

Art and Environment

Art and Environment involves many people who help prepare the worship space to reflect the season being celebrated. Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter are the major seasons that require artists, seamstresses, carpenters, painters, and decorators. Articles in the parish bulletin and announcements at the Liturgy notify volunteers of dates and times for preparation. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Pastoral Center. Families are welcome!

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Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers serve the assembly during the communion rite through the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ. They attend training sessions and are commissioned every three years by the Office of Divine Worship to serve in the parishes of the Archdiocese. If you feel called to this ministry or if you have already been commissioned in another parish, please contact the Pastoral Center.

If you are already signed up to be a Eucharistic Minister, you can find the CURRENT SCHEDULE (click here).

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Greeters

The Ministry of Greeters is part of our Parish hospitality ministry. It is composed of parishioners who heed the call to welcome all who gather. They are present to all who enter our Church with a word of greeting and an offer of assistance. The ministry complements our Ushers' ministry and works in tandem with them.

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Lectors

Lectors make the Living Word of God present by their proclamation during the Liturgy of the word. They attend training sessions, and are responsible for coming prepared to proclaim their reading when they are scheduled.

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Liturgy Preparation Team, Sacristans and Altar Servers

Other ministries that are active and part of the Worship Commission include the Liturgy Preparation Team, Sacristans and Altar Servers. Information concerning these ministries may be obtained by contacting the director of Liturgy and Music through the Pastoral Center.

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Ministry of Prayer

As Catholic Christians we have many opportunities for prayer, most of which happen in a formal way at Mass and other liturgies. The Ministry of Prayer asks us to extend our prayers for the parish community in a private way and in our own time. Prayer intentions, along with some liturgical thoughts for the month are provided to each minister through the mail. This ministry is open to anyone: adults, teens and/or families who would like to enrich their prayer lives. If you are interested in joining the ministry, please call the parish office at 847-945-0430. If you would simply like to ask for prayer, you can also call the office and speak with the parish secretary or leave the request at: hcprayerministry@gmail.com."

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Music Ministry

“A song does not exist until it is sung, or re-created, by a human voice. Every incarnation is different, and no one sound is the only right one. This is a paradox. A page of music seems to present a finished product, yet it contains no sound. (Hold it up to your ear: Can you hear it?) The song doesn’t live until it comes off of the page and resumes its natural state as sound. The page can no more substitute for living sound than a recipe can for edible food.” -Alice Parker

Music is a ministry that serves the Community of Holy Cross when we gather in prayer. If you feel called to participate in this ministry, we will help you discern where you might serve best within our Parish Music Program. God has given you certain talents and if you have been gifted with a musical ability the next questions would be: “What do I get involved in, and what is the time commitment?”

We have established a network of communication at Holy Cross Parish and all of the ministry groups are represented on a Commission, as well as Parish Council.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the music ministry of the Parish there are several people you will be referred to by calling the Pastoral Center at 847.945.0430 and mentioning the area of music you are interested in. Our hope is that your schedule and musical talent will join together with others and enhance our Liturgies.

Adult Contemporary Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Youth Choir: Sings at various times throughout the Liturgical Year. Choir camp is required before joining the group.
Cantors: Experienced vocalists who possess musical training
Instrumentalists: Experienced adult instrumentalists - strings, reeds, brass, keyboard Youth with several years experience to accompany Youth Choir

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry began in 2008 as a part of the Ministry of Prayer. It is intended as an additional outreach to those members of our community who are in need of the prayers of others in a more tangible way and we do this through the use of our hands.

Members of this ministry knit, crochet, quilt, sew, embroider and make use of their talents in other creative ways to provide a comforting shawl or blanket that has been laced with prayer every step of the way.

For more information about this ministry please call the parish office at 847-945-0430 or email hcprayerministry@gmail.com.

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Ushers

Ushers serve the people as they gather for worship by welcoming and extending hospitality in the name of community.

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Holy Cross Catholic Church