A Lay Ministry that has only recently begun to come into its own and to be appreciated for it’s tremendous potential is the Ministry of the Sacristan.

Lay Ministry is not merely about performing a function or “doing a job”.  The Ministry of the Sacristan highlights this in a particular way.  A Sacristan does fulfil a role by preparing for the Liturgy, yet according to the Catholic Catechism, Liturgy is the “participation of the People of God in the Work of God.”

The work of God the Father is to draw all people into the life of the Trinity through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Sacristan prepares the way for that encounter between God and his people.  He/she does this by carrying out the practical necessities for the celebration of the Mass, the Sacraments and other Liturgies.

A person may become Sacristan in many ways.  They will tell you how it came about. 

No matter how that was, the Call to Service is soon realised, not simply to be one to fulfil a function, but to be a vital person in God’s relationship with the people of the Parish.

The Sacristan begins the formal prayer of the day in the Parish by the simple act of opening the Church in the morning  -  calling and welcoming the people to prayer.

We owe them a lot - They keep the “home fires burning”.  They facilitate and support the other Lay Ministries.  They are the weavers behind the scene.

By becoming aware of their unique calling, Sacristans become aware of their value in the sight of God.  By using their natural talents and discovering the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they develop a  Spirituality which makes their life of service worthwhile.