Ushers and greeters—ministers of hospitality—are vital to parishes so they need strong formation to comfortably and graciously respond to the needs of everyone who comes through the doors of your church. Solid training helps them become models of hospitality for the whole parish. This guide helps you train new and returning ministers of hospitality by providing knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are practical, theologically and liturgically-informed, and spiritually inspiring. With its new title, design, and added content, this revised edition is more helpful than ever. To Fr. Paul Turner’s foundational chapters on the meaning and history of the ministry and on the ministry’s spiritual dimensions, a brief chapter on the liturgy by liturgist Corinna Laughlin has been added. To Karie Ferrell’s practical and wise advice on the many detailed duties of the ministry, psychiatrist and spiritual director Thomas Welch has contributed some additional perspectives. Updates to frequently asked questions, the annotated list of recommended resources, and the glossary have added yet more value to the book, and questions for reflection and discussion continue to accompany each chapter. Let this guide help you open wide the doors of your church so that it can be, as Pope Francis has called for, a spiritual field hospital for our needy world. This guide includes: Theological and historical reflections on the liturgy and the ministry; Practical skill-building and advice for serving in this role; Ways to deepen your spirituality and call to discipleship; Answers to frequently asked questions; Recommended resources; A glossary; Questions for discussion and reflection

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The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of the Church. Participating in this sacrament enables the Catholic faithful to encounter the presence, love, and mercy of Christ. Because this sacrament is so important, the Church provides the option for lay ministers to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ when there is not enough priests and deacons available to do so; Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are also deputed for ministry at Mass and for the needs of the sick, the homebound, and the dying. This third edition has been updated with enhanced content and features. As part of the Liturgical Ministry Series®, this book is grounded in Church doctrine and liturgical practice and follows a format that provides newly formed and experienced ministers with basic skills and theological insights in order to perform their ministry well and in a Christ-like manner. This resource includes: Theological and historical reflections on the liturgy and the ministry; Practical skill-building and advice for serving in this role; Ways to deepen your spirituality and call to discipleship; Answers to frequently asked questions; Recommended resources; A glossary; Questions for discussion and reflection

All Christians are responsible for consoling those who have lost a loved one. An active parish bereavement ministry involves many parishioners performing various forms of compassionate service. In Guide for Forming a Parish Bereavement Ministry, author Robert Valle guides parish leaders toward creating a bereavement ministry that flows from the liturgical and pastoral vision of the Church’s official funeral rites. He explains the theology and key pastoral insights of the Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) and outlines the phases of bereavement ministry, from accompanying the bereaved at the time of death to the preparation of the funeral liturgies, then home visits and acts of compassion throughout the following year. This resource provides practical advice and downloadable materials for training ministers in the theological, spiritual, and human dimensions essential for effective bereavement ministry. Contributing author Paula Kosin provides scripts and other editable downloads for facilitating a grief support group. Guide for Forming a Parish Bereavement Ministry—together with An Introduction to Bereavement Ministry: Caring for Those Who Mourn, a resource for bereavement ministers and Grieving: A Spiritual Process for Catholics, a book for the grieving—provide the training, insight, and guidance for forming a parish bereavement ministry that will bring comfort and peace to all in your community who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Marriage in the Lord: Forming Couples for a Sacramental Marriage provides marriage ministers with fully prepared formation sessions in order to facilitate discussion with engaged couples preparing to be married in the Catholic Church in a dynamic and meaningful way.