Altar Servers
All young parishioners in grades 5 through 12 (ages 10-18) are invited to become Altar Servers. Altar Servers assist the clergy in the performance of all Sacred Ceremonies at the Sunday, Holy Day, wedding and funeral liturgies. Their responsibilities include:

• Lighting and extinguishing the altar candles
• Carrying the Thurible (vessel used for incense)
• Bearing the cross and candles in the entrance procession
• Assisting with Holy Water
• Assisting with water, wine and offertory gifts

All Altar Servers are required to attend three initial training sessions before being scheduled to serve Mass. Servers are expected to take responsibility for showing up when scheduled, arriving early (at least 15 minutes before Mass), dressing neatly, and serving with utmost reverence. This is an important ministry which welcomes all who are willing to make this special commitment to serve at the Altar of the Lord.

Contact: Donna Murray at donna-murray@burgdorff.com, Jackie Brendel at jacq@brendel.net or Father John Chang at JChang@stpaulsofPrinceton.org.

Children's Liturgy
The Children's Liturgy began in November 1998 in an effort to bring children to a closer understanding of their faith through liturgy. Since its inception, the goal has been to provide the children of the parish with a liturgy that is geared to their level of understanding. The children are encouraged to participate fully in the liturgy by doing some of the same tasks that they see adults performing at other liturgies. For example, children read the readings for the day from the Children's Lectionary and listen to a homily that is prepared for them, while joining the celebrant in the front of the church. In addition, meaningful yet fun activities are incorporated when appropriate, like filling the children's shoes on the feast of St. Nicholas or the special Christmas Eve pageant. We hope that through these efforts, our children will grow to understand the importance of the liturgy in their lives and realize the fulfillment received through participation in the liturgy.

Contact: Monica Heucke at heucke123@aol.com, Kris Keimig at wjkeimig@aol.com or Michelle King at mokingnj@yahoo.com.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Eucharistic Ministers are parishioners who upon recommendation of the pastor are mandated for a year or more by the Bishop to distribute the Holy Eucharist during Mass or at other designated times and places. The privilege of distributing the Eucharist applies only within our parish boundaries and is open to both lay women and men. To be a Eucharistic Minister, you must be at least 18 years old, have received all the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). If married, the marriage must be valid in the Roman Catholic Church. A junior or senior in a Catholic High School may be trained and mandated as an Extraordinary Minister to serve at school masses. If you feel a calling to this ministry, contact the pastor.

Lectors
Lectors, or Ministers of the Word, are volunteers from the parish who proclaim two readings from the Sacred Scriptures and, on some occasions, the Responsorial Psalm and the Prayer of the Faithful (petitions). The Lector also announces the liturgy at the start of Mass, welcomes the congregation, introduces the Celebrant and reads the parish announcements.

Contact: Jim Knipper at Jim.Knipper@knipper.com.

Liturgy Planning Committee
The Liturgy Planning Committee is responsible for planning our parish Masses. The committee looks at the various liturgical seasons, Church feasts and Holy Days, and other special times in the Catholic Church, and ensures that the environment of the church, the characteristics of the liturgical celebration, and the music all work hand-in-hand toward making the experience of the Mass the most meaningful, prayerful and inspirational that it can be. The committee oversees the various ministerial roles in the liturgy, seeking to encourage congregational participation in all aspects of the Mass, attempting to engage the community via well-done rites, beautiful, singable and appropriate music, and an inspirational environment.

The depth and breadth of this committee calls for a variety of talents—creativity, imagination, love of people and love of the Mass, to name a few. If you would care to be a part of making our liturgical life meaningful, please offer to share your time and talent with us.

Contact: Msgr. Walter Nolan at wnolan@stpaulsofprinceton.org.

Nursing Facility Liturgies
Ministers assist nursing home residents in celebrating Mass or a Communion service once a month, and in receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick and the Elderly during a Mass. They also help make available various devotions including the rosary, Stations of the Cross, holy week devotionals and to respond to other spiritual needs.

For liturgies, Eucharistic Ministers and other volunteers will:

• Set up the altar for Mass or Communion service
• Invite interested Catholic residents to attend a service, assisting them to travel there as necessary
• Be a joyful presence and a co-worshipper with the residents
• Assist residents to return to their rooms

At Princeton Nursing Home, Mass or Communion Service occurs on the last Tuesday of the month at 2:30 pm in the first floor lounge. The Princeton Nursing Home is located on Bunn Drive.

At Merwick, Mass or Communion Service occurs on the third Thursday of the month at 11:00 am in the second floor dayroom. The Merwick Unit of the Medical Center of Princeton is located at 79 Bayard Lane.

Contact: Fr. John Chang at JChang@stpaulsofPrinceton.org

Sacristans
Sacristans are responsible for the maintenance of the sacristy and the preparation for Sunday and special liturgies in our Church. Sacristans procure supplies for liturgical celebrations and ensure that vestments and liturgical items are clean and functional.

Contact: Msgr. Walter Nolan at wnolan@stpaulsofprinceton.org.

Sunday Offering Counters
The Sunday Offering Counters count and deposit the Sunday collections, a service vital to the ongoing pastoral efforts of the parish. The work starts on Sunday after the 8:30 am Mass and is usually complete by 1 pm. Two or three people work together in the basement of the rectory. This ministry strives to have enough counters so that each person will work only once every six weeks, and group members can trade assignments when conflicts occur in personal schedules. The work is not difficult but it is important and help is always needed. New members will always work with experienced counters in order to ensure uniform procedures.

Contact: Bob Cronin through this website (stpauls@pcyber.net).

Ushers and Greeters
This ministry serves at Sunday, Holy Day and special parish liturgies, greeting parishioners on their way into Mass, assisting parishioners to find seats, assisting with the offertory collection and gifts procession, taking part in the offertory procession, handling special collections, and supervising the safety and other needs of the congregation. Ushers may be male or female, of high school age (age 14) or older.

Contact: Ray Wadsworth at kewads@aol.com.