Liturgical Ministry

LITURGY is the pinnacle of the Catholic experience, where we are nourished by Word and Eucharist, and then commissioned to further God’s reign of justice and compassion on earth. Old St. Pat’s is committed to hosting liturgies that welcome, inspire, and challenge all who gather. We seek to celebrate the rich beauty of our Catholic tradition, and according to the directions of the Second Vatican Council, to encourage the full, conscious and active participation of all gathered.

The celebration of Mass is the action of Christ and the People of God—ministers and assembly…
Every member of the liturgical assembly gathered by Christ has a part to play in the action of the whole… The participation of all is demanded by the nature of the liturgy and, for the faithful, is their right and duty by reason of their Baptism." -Pastoral Introduction to the Order of Mass,
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, #4.

Pet Blessing with Old St. Pat's
at Mary Bartelme Park
October 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM

Thank you to everyone who brought their beloved pets for our special pet blessing!

We loved seeing so many furry friends at the Farmer's Market in West Loop at 115 S. Sangamon St. It was wonderful to celebrate the bond between pets and their people, and we hope you enjoyed the treats and special gifts.

We're grateful to all who joined us for this special day!

Proclaim the Word of the Lord!

We are currently seeking to expand our Lector Ministry at Old St. Patrick’s!

If you feel you have the gift of good oration and communication skills and would like to bring the Word of God to life, please reach out to Dominic Trumfio (Director of Liturgy) at [email protected] to further explore your involvement in this ministry.

Bless Your Blisters
October 12, 2025 at the 5PM Mass

Thanks to all who joined us for our annual Bless Your Blisters blessing of marathon runners at the 5PM Mass this past October 12th, where runners are invited to receive a special blessing on race day.

Fall 2025 Hospitality and Eucharistic Minister Information/Training Sessions
November 9, 2025 at 12 PM and at 6 PM

Vibrant, welcoming, and beautiful worship is one of the hallmarks of Old St. Patricks. And this is because of the spirit, participation, and service of its members. We would be delighted if you would share your gifts with Old St. Pat’s as a liturgical minister.

We are gearing up for the busy holiday season and holding a Fall Liturgical Minister Training Session on Sunday, November 9th at 12pm and 6pm (immediately following the 11am and 5pm Masses).

Contact [email protected] to learn more about training, scheduling, and serving in any of the ministries listed below.

Hospitality Ministers embody the mission of Old St. Pat’s to foster a warm community that welcomes and values each person. These volunteers greet the gathering assembly, assist with seating, take up the collection, distribute worship aids and bulletins, and straighten up the church for the next celebration.

Lectors bring God’s Word to life at Mass, as they proclaim the Scriptures and lead the Prayers of the Faithful. They devote time to preparing and reflecting on the readings in advance, so they may be proclaimed with familiarity, reverence and love.

Sacristans prepare the church for celebration of Mass, oversee the care of liturgical vessels and vestments, and assist the presiding clergy in the sacristy.

Eucharistic Ministers, by assisting the priest in distributing Holy Communion to the assembly, nourish the assembly with the gifts from the sacred table. This ministry is open to all Catholics who have been fully initiated with the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Mass Coordinators are experienced liturgical ministers entrusted with coordinating the many volunteers who assist at a particular Liturgy. They check-in volunteers, identify members to bring up the gifts, facilitate the collection, and work with the sacristans to ensure the liturgy runs smoothly.

Altar Servers are sixth, seventh and eighth-graders who assist at some liturgies. They perform tasks such as lighting candles, preparing the altar, and holding the presider’s ritual book.

Mass of Gratitude for First Responders
November 23, 2025 at the 5PM Mass

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, we take a moment to give thanks and express our gratitude to those who serve and protect us. We will honor Firefighters, Police, Doctors, Nurses, EMTs, 911 Operators, Security Guards, Hospital Chaplains, and all those who keep us safe. There will be a special blessing for them after Communion and a reception in Hughes Hall following to show our gratitude for their important work.

Thanksgiving Day Mass
November 27, 2025 at 10 AM

On Thanksgiving, we invite you to an Old St. Pat's tradition centering gratitude and the joy of giving: please join us in person or via livestream for a special Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday, November 27 at 10 AM, with a prelude concert featuring Songs of Love and Gratitude beginning at 9:40 AM.

At Old St. Pat’s, we understand the spirit of our worship depends on an engaged laity - on you.
You are called by your Baptism to be a minister and celebrant of Liturgy. How will you respond?