Through the ages, Catholics have been called to worship the Lord “in Spirit and in Truth” (see John 4:23), and as the primary function of our parishes and churches, this worship takes place each and every day, with the entire community being called to worship on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.

The “source and summit” of the Church’s life is the Eucharist, which is a participation in the “new and everlasting covenant” in the Blood of Christ. From the earliest days of the Church, scriptural and apostolic witness explains that Christ was recognized in the “Breaking of the Bread” (see Luke 24: 13-35), and that the Lord’s Day, Sunday became the Christian Sabbath.

When the Christian community assembles for worship, there are many gifts, but one Spirit that binds them all into common service. An expression of these gifts are found in the liturgical ministries which are practiced at the Sacred Liturgy. Besides the priest and deacon, other liturgical ministries such as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, musicians, servers, greeters, and sacristans lend their services to serve the gathered community in worship.