Altar and Sanctuary Care Ministry

Altar and Sanctuary Care 

"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit, . . . different forms of service but the same Lord."  (1 Corinthians 12:4-5)
 

Mission Statement/Purpose
The Altar Care members fill an essential and literally “behind the scenes” role in the preparations for St. Thomas More celebrations of the Eucharist and Baptism.

Major Activity
Members have an assigned week every month to either 1) do light cleaning in the Sanctuary, or 2) take liturgical linens and towels home for laundering and return before the Saturday 5:15 Mass. There is usually extra activity for Holy Days and Christmas/Easter seasons.

Major Accomplishments 2022-2023
The Altar and Sanctuary Care Team provided clean linens for all the Masses.

Meeting Frequency and Venue
Since the activity is "solo" and at each individual's convenience, we do not have scheduled meetings. Members have an assigned week each month:

• Sanctuary cleaning, in the church: at your convenience during the assigned week
• Light dusting: statues, Sanctuary, Tabernacle Chapel
• Wax removal from votive candle holders
• Linens Laundry, done at home: usually once a month, seasonally (liturgical) more often.

We meet at the church as needed for training.

Estimated Time Commitment for Volunteers
Usually 3-4 hours per month

Special Skills

• Candle wax (hardened) removal from small votive candle holders
• Special rinsing of linens used at the celebration of the Eucharist (instruction provided)
• Experience in hand ironing of white flat "linens," with knowledge of appropriate heat settings for linen, cotton and synthetic blend materials.
• Precise folding of specific articles used by the Eucharistic ministers (instruction provided)

Not So Special Skills:

• Dusting
• Laundering