Ministries in Our Parish

Insights Into Service

Our community's dynamism has always stemmed from our parishioners' willingness to serve each other, whether at Mass or in running religious-educational, social or charitable activities. The following are the main ministries.

To find out about volunteering, please contact the parish priest, Father Christian Enke or Pastoral Associate Lori Bemb, at tel. (069) 219 36 500 or email international(a)parish-frankfurt.de, or the respective ministry principal named below.

Please note that as a spam-prevention measure, email adresses here are written with (a) replacing the usual @ sign. When sending an email, be sure to insert the @ symbol in place of the (a).

The Welcoming Ministry

This ministry is active throughout the entire Mass. The Welcoming ministers are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass begins; their main task is to greet and assist parishioners and visitors as they enter church and to bid them farewell as they leave after Mass. Among other duties, the ministers hand out the hymnals and bulletins, help people find seats, arrange the collection and offertory gifts, and guide parishioners during Communion.

The only requirement for this ministry is a willingness to serve and a friendly, helpful attitude. Training will be provided.

If you would like further information, feel free to talk to the Principal Porter or the Ministries Coordinator.

Principal Porter, responsible for recruitment and training:

Bona Bernard

Mobile tel.: (0152) 1596 7899

Email: bona.b(a)t-online.de

The Ministry of the Word

Ministers of the Word, commonly referred to as Readers, assume the task of reading the assigned scriptures of the day at Mass, as well as the Prayers of the Faithful.

The Church’s mandate for this ministry is articulated in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal by the following two extracts: 

‘’When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people…’’ (GIRM #29).

Also noted for those doing the readings at Mass is that they must be ‘’truly suited to carrying out this function and carefully prepared, so that by hearing the readings from the sacred texts, the faithful may conceive in their hearts a sweet and living affection for Sacred Scripture’’ (GIRM #101).

To achieve this, training is provided and the explanatory readings are sent to the minister in advance by email. The only requirements for this ministry are a willingness to prepare the reading before coming to Mass and the ability to speak in public. Readers are assigned on a monthly rota, based on the schedule availability they provide.

Principal Reader, responsible for recruitment and training:

Prosy Hennessy

Home phone: (06101) 480 83

Mobile phone: (0176) 2136 3142

The Ministry of Communion

The Ministry of Communion (officially, Extraordinary Ministry of Holy Communion) is comprised of lay people who assist the priest in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass. This privilege is not to be taken lightly, and ministers are encouraged to arrive at church early to spiritually prepare for service. Training is conducted and a list of instructions is provided for each minister to ensure the Body and Blood of Christ are handled with respect and dignity. To serve, ministers must be registered, confirmed members of our parish and have a deep reverence for the Body and Blood.  Ministers are appointed by the Parish Priest.

Principal Communion Minister, responsible for training:

Marina Nunes

Home tel.: (069) 9739 3977

Email: dorismarinanunes(a)web.de

The Ministry of Music

Music enhances the messages of the scriptures and is such an integral part of the liturgy that its importance cannot be overstated. Hymns must be selected with care in order to complement the readings.

At Holy Cross and St. Leonhard's, we are blessed in having 2 music directors with diverse styles. Under the guidance of Connie Horne, the choir performs contemporary, guitar-based hymns at Mass while under the leadership of Benedikt Milenkovic, music is more traditional, with organ accompaniment along with the occasional guest musician for classical pieces. A number of parishioners are choir members under both directors, which is a tremendous and much-appreciated commitment. At St. Mary's, music is led on a volunteer basis by parishioners.

Although it's helpful, choir members are not required to read music. Attending scheduled practice sessions is required; these usually take place before Mass, but other rehearsals are sometimes arranged, especially to prepare for major holidays or other special celebrations.

If you would like further information on joining one or more of the choirs, please contact the respective Music Director; details are available on the "Who's Who" page.

The Hospitality Ministry

Thanks to the endeavors of the Ministry of Hospitality members, our parishioners and visitors have the opportunity to interact on a social level at our Holy Cross location. Every Sunday a dedicated team of volunteers prepares the Parish Hall, including getting the coffee ready, and afterward the social cleans up and returns the hall to its original condition by washing cups and plates, wiping down tables, and sweeping and mopping the floors. This labor-intensive service means arriving early and staying after other parishioners have gone home in order to accomplish these duties.

There is always a need for new volunteers so that no one will be called on to serve more than once a month. All that is required to become a member of this ministry is a desire to serve and a willingness to work as part of a team.

We are looking for a new leader of this ministry, with responsibility for volunteer scheduling and obtaining supplies. Please contact Father Christian, Lori Bemb or Tom Lavell if you're able to commit to organizing this vital voluntary parish service.

Altar Service

This ministry is comprised mostly of children or teenagers, both male and female. Their function is to assist the priest in the celebration of the Mass. Some duties of altar servers are to carry the cross or the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, dress the altar with bread, wine and water for the priest, aid him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, ring the bells at the Consecration and support the priest celebrant in any other way necessary.

Altar servers are required to have made their First Holy Communion. They should have a personal desire to serve, a good understanding of the Mass and the ability to arrive at the church 15 minutes before Mass begins, as well as be capable of working together as a team. Training is provided.

Anyone interested in this ministry should talk to the parish priest or the Principal Altar Server.

Principal Altar Server, responsible for recruitment and training:

Clarence Pereira

Email:  cl_pe(a)hotmail.com