5:30 PM Mass Ministries

The pastor and Liturgy Committee have entrusted the youth of OLA with a great responsibility - ministering at the Sunday evening Mass. Youth of all ages are invited to join in this service to our parish family!

To be an usher or gift bearer, all you have to do is show up early to Mass and check in with Andrew or Joseph at the table in the Narthex and we'll sign you up.

Youth also serve at this Mass as Lectors (readers), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and in the Teen Choir. See more details below on how to get involved in those ministries. 

A Note to All Mass Ministers:

We are so glad that you want to give to the parish community by serving at Mass! As with any responsibilities, there are some guidelines. Please make sure you are:
  • Dressed appropriately to serve (no jeans, sneakers, bare shoulders, shorts, etc. Check the handbook for more guidelines)
  • Arriving at Mass 15 minutes early to check in and prepare yourself
  • Showing up when scheduled or finding a substitute and letting Joseph know who will be serving for you ​
"The dynamic of hearing the Scriptures as they are read aloud, or proclaimed, in church in the context of the Mass, is the means by which Christ becomes present. Therefore, how you proclaim the Scriptures is vitally important to the quality of the experience for the entire congregation." - Mitch Finley, The Joy of Being a Lector (2000)

Lectors will be scheduled to proclaim the 1st Reading, 2nd Reading, or Prayers of the Faithful. Lectors should read over and practice their readings before the Mass (find Sunday readings here, Prayers of the Faithful will be sent out when we receive them).

Training is usually held in August. An additional training may take place later in the school year depending on interest. 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion   Grades 10-12

“The faithful who are special ministers of communion must be persons whose good qualities of Christian life, faith, and morals recommend them. Let them strive to be worthy of this great office, foster their own devotion to the Eucharist, and show an example to the rest of the faithful by their own devotion and reverence toward the most august sacrament of the altar. No one is to be chosen whose appointment the faithful might find disquieting.” - Immensae Caritatis

To be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EM), a teen must:
  • Be a Catholic in good standing with the Church
  • Have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation
  • Be 16 years of age or older
  • Exhibit a strong faith and positive attitude
  • Actively participate in the Mass

Extraordinary Ministers will be scheduled to serve at 5:30 PM Mass throughout the year. Once trained, teens may serve at any Mass at OLA, so you should always check in no matter what Mass you attend! 

Training is usually held in August. An additional training may take place after Confirmation in November depending on interest. 

Life Teen Band 

St. Augustine once proclaimed that singing is praying twice. In the Life Teen Band, we demonstrate our love of God by sharing our gifts of music through song, voice, and instruments! Music enhances our worship experience – whether it’s contemporary or traditional liturgical music – bringing joy and feeding minds, spirits, and hearts. 

The OLA Life Teen Band leads music at the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass every week.  Rehearsals take place in the Choir Room (2nd floor of the church) and start at 3:30 PM on the day the Teen Choir is singing at Mass. 

Email Jake Mappes at jmappes@olachurch.org if you are interested in signing up.