The Sheil Catholic Center offers many opportunities for students and associates to participate in the Mass — not only by attending, but also by serving the community at prayer during liturgies.
Anyone who is interested in actively participating is invited to volunteer and take part in whichever way they feel most comfortable. Liturgical Ministries available at Sheil during the 2010-2011 school year include:
- Ad Hoc Members of the Assembly
- Art & Environment
- Bilingual Liturgies (English/Spanish)
- Bread Baking Ministry
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Greeters & Ushers
- Music Ministry
- RCIA
- Readers
- Sacristans
- Steering Council Representatives
- Writing Ministry
To become involved with any of the above ministries, or for more information, please contact the Liturgical Commission member responsible for the ministry.
The Liturgical Commission is a body of Sheil members, both students and associates, which represents the many ministries involved in liturgical planning. This body of representatives reviews liturgical policies, plans seasons, and supports ministers that serve the Sheil community in the preparation of daily, weekly and special liturgies.
For general information regarding Sheil’s Liturgy, contact Angela Stramaglia, Director of Music & Liturgy, at a-stramaglia@northwestern.edu or (847) 328-4648, Ext. 20.
Ad Hoc Members of the Assembly
These individuals represent the Ministers of the Assembly on the Liturgical Commission.
The flowers, banners, symbols and arrangements are important parts of our liturgical space and can add or detract from our worship experience. All those artistically inclined and interested in working with our environment are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact Barb Davis at babsd3@sbcglobal.net.
Bilingual Liturgies (English/Spanish)
Sheil offers a bilingual liturgy in English and Spanish once a month at the 5pm Mass. Please check the Event Calendar for exact dates. Anyone interested in helping to plan the liturgy is invited to join us. For more information, contact Angela Stramaglia at a-stramaglia@northwestern.edu.
The instruction of the Church tells us that, even though unleavened and baked, the Eucharistic bread used at celebration should truly have the appearance of food. Therefore, we use what is commonly referred to as substantial bread at Sheil.
The bread we receive each week is the work of our assembly's hands. Anyone who would like to follow the recipe is invited to participate in this ministry. Students without available kitchens are welcome to use the facilities at Sheil. For more information, contact Angela Stramaglia at a-stramaglia@northwestern.edu.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
The Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 9:30am Mass. These ministers use the Lectionary for Children to proclaim the Word, the scriptures and their meaning in language specifically chosen for children ages 4 to 10.
Student facilitators and music minister are always needed to share Christ’s message with the youngest members of our community. For more information, contact Christina Sweeney at iam007stina@gmail.com.
Distributing the consecrated bread and wine at liturgy is an integral part of our communal identity. Through this sharing of element,s we not only acknowledge, but also become the presence of Christ for one another as His Body and the Blood.
Interested Eucharistic Ministers are required to attend a training workshop in order to participate. For more information, contact Claire Shea at ClaireShea2011@u.northwestern.edu.
Greeters and ushers are the first ministers of hospitality at Sheil. By welcoming the assembly, assisting in seating and distributing worship aids and bulletins, they welcome all to our community of liturgical prayer.
We are currently in need of someone to oversee this ministry. For more information, contact Angela Stramaglia at a-stramaglia@northwestern.edu.
At Sheil, our Music Ministry is comprised of a choir, cantors and instrumentalists who assist the assembly in its sung prayer at all of our Sunday Masses, Holy Days and special liturgies. We encourage anyone interested to offer their gifts to the Music Ministry, when and how their schedule permits.
A weekly mandatory rehearsal for the ensembles takes place an hour and fifteen minutes before each Mass on Sunday. Although no past experience is required, some sense of musicianship is necessary in order to support the community in this task. Rehearsals for special liturgies are scheduled as needed.
For more information, download the Music Ministry Brochure or contact Angela Stramaglia at a-stramaglia@northwestern.edu.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an opportunity for all interested to journey in faith with those moving toward Baptism, reception into the Catholic Church and Confirmation.
Sponsors, catechists and student companions are needed to participate and represent the entire community in this most vital and deeply rewarding ministry. Volunteers who would like to share specific faith experiences are also needed for certain sessions of the catechesis.
For more information, visit Becoming Catholic (RCIA) >
Readers are our storytellers, proclaiming the Word of God and drawing our community into the scriptures. Interested readers are required to attend a training workshop in order to participate. For more information, please contact the representative for the Mass at which you are interested in reading:
- General: Ed Mellinger, e.mellinger@comcast.net
- 9:30am: Cory Haala, coryhaala2013@u.northwestern.edu
- 11am: Ed Mellinger, e.mellinger@comcast.net
- 5pm: Khiabett Osuna, k-osuna@northwestern.edu
- 9pm: James Hoover, jameshoover2013@u.northwestern.edu
Sacristans are responsible for the care and condition of the liturgical space, as well as the elements used for each celebration of the Eucharist. They oversee the liturgy as a whole by ensuring that all other ministers are prepared and that the worship proceeds smoothly. For more information, contact Emily Barth at emilybarth2012@u.northwestern.edu.
These students work with the Director of Music & Liturgy to make decisions concerning liturgy at Sheil. For more information, contact Pablo Schenone at pschenone@gmail.com or Bobby Porter at RobertPorter2013@u.northwestern.edu.
Sheil’s Writing Ministry writes the Prayers of the Faithful offered at Sunday Masses and Holy Days. Those who serve in this ministry also prepare information and educational pieces on aspects of the liturgy and liturgical seasons. For more information, contact Angela Stramaglia at a-stramaglia@u.northwestern.edu
