Lectors, or Ministers of the Word, assist at the Mass by proclaiming the first reading (usually from the Old Testament), as well as the second reading (usually from the New Testament), if used. The Gospel is always proclaimed by the deacon (if present on the altar) or the priest. The Psalm, which is proclaimed between the first and second readings, is either sung by the cantor or read by the lector. 

For information on becoming a lector at one of our three parishes, please contact the Blue Hills Collaborative offices, or volunteer online by clicking on the Signup button at the bottom of the page.

An altar server is a lay assistant to the presider during Mass. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as bearing lighted candles, carrying the cross, and bringing and holding such things as books, incense, the bowl and towel, communion vessels, etc. They also assist the priest or deacon in receiving the bread and wine when presented to him. Anyone of any age, male or female, grade 3 or older is eligible to become an altar server. 

For information on becoming an altar server, please contact the Blue Hills Collaborative offices, or volunteer online by clicking on the Signup button at the bottom of the page.

Our Collaborative music ministry serves to inspire and uplift, providing a program as diverse as its people. Musical leadership at many Masses is provided by choirs and cantors. Singing or playing in one of the choirs gives us the opportunity to enhance worship at our parishes, to nourish community among choir members and with fellow parishioners, and to experience the opening of heart and spirit that is found in musical prayer.

While only a priest or bishop can transubstantiate the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, it is not always practical to limit the distribution of communion at a Eucharistic celebration. Bishops, priests, and deacons, as ordained clergy, are considered the "ordinary ministers of Holy Communion" and will distribute if they are present. However, lay persons, if appointed by the pastor, are also able to distribute and are known as "extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion."

For information on becoming an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, please contact the Blue Hills Collaborative offices, or by clicking on the Signup button at the bottom of the page.

The tradition of visiting the sick and the homebound has always been recognized as one of the most important ministries in the Church. Scripture reminds us of this in Matthew 25:36, “I was sick and you visited me.”

At the Blue Hills Collaborative, we have Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who bring Communion on a weekly basis to any parishioner who lets us know they are sick, whether they are in their own homes, in a nursing home, or in a rehabilitation center. 

For more information, or to request communion for yourself or someone else who is homebound, please click here or contact Anna Cote at acote@bluehillscollaborative.org

For more information on becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please see above section Ministry of Holy Communion.

• Direct the seating of the assembly, especially when the church is nearly full and seats are hard to find
• Collect financial offerings from the congregation using baskets, and then securing the offerings following the mass
• Welcome parishioners as they enter the church
• Hand out music, programs, or bulletins before or after the Mass

For information on becoming an Usher/Greeter, please contact the Blue Hills Collaborative offices or volunteer online by clicking on the Signup button at the bottom of the page.. Training for NEW Ushers/Greeters takes place at a mutally agreed time.