The following guidelines were prepared by the Committee on the Liturgy and presented to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops for discussion at the June 1994 Special Assembly on Thursday, June 16, 1994. According to the third edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, the suggested guidelines have been slightly revised. They may be used as a basis for developing diocesan guidelines.
• Although institution into the ministry of acolyte is reserved to lay men, the diocesan bishop may permit the instituted acolyte's liturgical functions to be carried out by altar servers, men and women, boys and girls. Such persons may carry out all the functions listed in no. 100 (except for the distribution of Holy Communion) and nos. 187 - 190 and no. 193 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
• The determination that women and girls may function as servers in the liturgy should be made by the bishop on the diocesan level so that there might be a uniform diocesan policy.
• No distinction should be made between the functions carried out in the sanctuary by men and boys and those carried out by women and girls. The term "altar boys" should be replaced by "servers." The term "server" should be used for those who carry out the functions of the instituted acolyte.
• Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received holy communion for the first time and normally receive the eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.
• Servers should receive proper formation before they begin to function. The formation should include instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy (their names and use), and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Servers should also receive appropriate guidance on maintaining proper decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions.
• Since the role of the server is integral to the normal celebration of the Mass, at least one server should assist the priest. On Sundays and other more important occasions, two or more servers should be employed to carry out the various functions normally entrusted to these ministers.
• Acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate or dignified clothing. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no.339) All servers should wear the same liturgical vesture.
• Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant, when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.
• Servers respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation. They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy.
• Servers should be seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon. The place next to the priest is normally reserved for the deacon.
• Servers may not distribute holy communion unless they have been mandated for this function by the bishop.
• The Order for the Blessing of Altar Servers, Sacristans, Musicians, and Ushers (Book of Blessings, nos. 1847-1870) may be used before servers first begin to function in this ministry.

SPIRITUALITY:
Lectors should strive to live the Catholic Faith in spirit and in truth. Regular Mass attendance, daily prayer (especially meditation on the Scriptures and Eucharistic Adoration), regular Confession, and participation in faith formation and the life of the parish are key. To proclaim the Word of God in a compelling and powerful manner, lectors should heed the Lord’s invitation to ongoing conversion and friendship with Him. We cannot give what we do not have, so we rely on the Lord to fill us with his strength. Consider this prayer as the basis for your spirituality as lector: The Lord be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart that I may worthily proclaim the words of salvation.

PREPARATION:
Practice the readings several days in advance of your assigned Mass. Read the texts aloud, pray about them, and consult Bible commentaries and pronunciation guides as needed.

DRESS CODE:
Lectors should dress neatly, in a way consonant with the dignity of their role. Good taste and common sense are the best guides in this area. What you wear sends signals to the assembly about how seriously you take your ministry. Dress how you proclaim – with dignity and respect. Never wear anything that will detract from the scripture. The focus must always be on the reading, not the reader. Please avoid wearing jeans, shorts, tank tops, flip-flop sandals, shoes with loud heels, and distracting patterns and colors. Men are encouraged to wear a tie and/or suit jacket. White and black attires are required while proclaiming the word of God at Sacred Heart Parish. For more reading concerning lectors, please browse the USCCB online:

GUIDELINES FOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
• At least 18 years old
• A Catholic who has received First Holy Communion and Confirmation, as well as one who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be assumed.
• Free from any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared - Reverential, respectful of his/her faith and the Blessed Sacrament, and of good moral character
• Possessed of the necessary ability and talents to proclaim the Word of God in a clear, dignified, and effective manner; and
• If married, be in a valid marriage according to the law of the Catholic Church

DRESSCODE:
Please dress in a dignified manner. Athletic wear is not appropriate, and you are expected to wear your “Sunday best” when serving in this role.

USHERS OR MINISTER OF HOSPITALITY:
In general, ushers carry responsibility for the following:
1. Seating those assembled for Liturgy and especially taking special efforts to seat the faithful during the natural breaks in the Mass.
2. Attending to the needs of the disabled through such things as holding doors open, or locating nonsloped areas places for wheelchairs and walkers.
3. Making sure that the gifts of bread and wine are in their proper places before Mass and asking members of the assembly to bring forth the gifts at the Offertory
4. Checking the worship space to make certain that it free from clutter
5. Assisting in the Rite of Preparation:
    • Circulating the collection receptacles (there should be a sufficient numbers of ushers to facilitate the collection in a timely and orderly fashion)
    • Adhering to the Guidelines from the Diocese of Orange Office of Finance specifically pertaining to the collection of monies during the Mass.
    • Assisting in the Offertory Procession
6. Assisting the handicapped in receiving Holy Communion as well as facilitating the Communion procession. However, it is not necessary to stand at each row while that row goes to Communion, which has the appearance of “keeping track” of who goes and who does not receive Holy Communion.
7. Offering the parish bulletin to the faithful as they exit the church GREETERS In general, greeters carry the responsibility for the following:
    • Opening doors to make sure the entrance into the church is welcoming to all
    • Giving full attention to the gathering assembly by offering a “Good Morning” (keep in mind that the sense of touch can be sometimes more powerful than words. A handshake or a hug can speak volumes.)
    • Smile, which not only magnifies your true inner sincerity and sensitivity, but is an international sign of welcome to all the faithful.

PREPARATION: 
1. Pray.
2. Seek Christ in everyone.
3. Embrace your Parish Mission Statement.

Young adults are persons in their late teens, twenties, and thirties who represent diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They are college students, workers, and professionals; they are persons in military service; they are single, married, divorced, or widowed; they are with or without children; they are newcomers in search of a better life. The Archdiocese of San Antonio is delighted to serve the Young Adults of our communities! The needs and gifts of Young Adults are varied; so are the different ministries that aim to connect Young Adults to Jesus and the Church, calling them to live God’s love in communion with their peers and the wider Church, while finding ways to answer God’s call to place one’s gifts at the service of others. We accompany Young Adults in their journey of faith as they encounter Jesus Christ by: • Creating and/or hosting events and initiatives that help young adults encounter and grow closer to Jesus Christ, the Church, as well as their peers in a vibrant community of faith through spiritual formation, service and fellowship opportunities. • Building bridges of community, collaboration and lasting friendships among young adults • Assisting new parish young adult groups with their startup processes or the revitalizing of existing groups • Supporting the young adult events provided throughout our Archdiocese by other Catholic agencies and providing a forum for the sharing of these events

Matachines ( Spanish singular matachín; sword dancers dressed in ritual attire called bouffon) are a carnivalesque dance troupe that emerged in Spain in the early 17th century inspired by similar European traditions such as the moresca .  The term danza de matachines is also used to refer to their characteristic dance and music. The dance was documented in the 1642 treatise Discursos Sobre el Arte del dançado by Juan de Esquivel Navarro. [1] The tradition was imported into Latin American countries such as Mexico and Peru. The Matachines dance for a deeper religious purpose, since most of them join to venerate either Mother Mary ( Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate conception, etc.), a saint (the group usually chooses the saint that pertains to the church they belong to), or simply to worship Christ or God the Holy Trinity, demonstrated by the three forked items symbolized as a "Sword of the Holy Trinity". Dressed in traditional ceremonial dress and clothing, the chief characters are El Monarca (typically Moctezuma or other tribal leaders), the captains (usually consist of 2-4 and are Moctezuma's main generals), La Malinche or Malintzín, the Native or Mestizo woman; and El Toro, the malevolent comic man of the play (also symbolizes Satan, or the Devil, according to Roman Catholic religious interpretations), dressed with the skins of the buffalo and wearing the horns of this sacred ancestor; Abuelo, the grandfather, and Abuela, grandmother. With the help of a chorus of dancers, they portray the desertion of his people by Moctezuma, the luring of him back by the wiles and smiles of La Malinche, the final reunion of king and people and the killing of El Toro, who is supposed to have made all the mischief. Much symbolism is seen in these groups. The basic symbolism of the dance is good vs. evil, with good prevailing.