Ministries
Our ministries at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Christopher form the spiritual and pastoral centre of the Archdiocese. As the Mother Church of Canberra and Goulburn, these ministries support the Archbishop’s mission while serving our parish community through liturgy, formation, and acts of service. Each ministry exists to deepen prayer, strengthen faith, and accompany parishioners and visitors through worship, community life, and practical support.
Our volunteers play a vital role in this mission. Everyone who serves in a ministry upholds the Archdiocesan Child Protection Code of Conduct, and any volunteer who works in a ministry involving children holds a current Working With Vulnerable People registration. This ensures that our parish remains a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for every person who walks through our doors.
Hospitality
Ministry of the Altar
Music
Communion to the Sick
Flower Arrangers / Floral Ministry
The Flower Arranging Ministry helps create a prayerful and welcoming environment in the Cathedral and at St Peter Chanel’s Mass Centre through the beauty of floral arrangements. Flowers enrich the liturgy, highlight the seasons of the Church year, and remind the community of the beauty of God’s creation.
Members of this ministry offer their creativity, time, and care to arrange flowers that reflect the dignity of the sacred space and the character of each liturgical season. This work is an offering of love and a contribution to the prayerful atmosphere of our parish churches.
Who can serve?
Flower arrangers should be people of:
a sense of beauty appropriate to liturgical spaces
creativity balanced with reverence
attentiveness to seasonal guidelines (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, etc.)
a practical approach to arranging and maintaining displays
reliability and teamwork
sensitivity to parish traditions and clergy guidance
No professional experience is required — only a willing heart and care for the ministry.
What does the ministry involve?
This ministry generally includes:
creating floral arrangements for weekend Masses and special feasts
removing wilted flowers and refreshing arrangements as needed
working within the liturgical guidelines for colours and seasons
collaborating with clergy, sacristans, and other ministers for major celebrations
setting up and cleaning up in the shared work sacristy
Rosters and availability
Flower arrangers typically work individually or in small teams. Extra help may be needed for solemnities, major feasts, and the great seasons of Christmas and Easter. Volunteers may nominate their preferred level of involvement.
Ongoing formation
Formation includes guidance on liturgical seasons, practical arranging techniques, and an understanding of how floral art supports the prayer of the community. New volunteers will be supported by experienced arrangers until confident in the role.
Linens Ministry
The Linens Ministry is a quiet and devoted service that supports the reverent celebration of the Eucharist in both St Christopher’s Cathedral and St Peter Chanel’s Mass Centre. Members of this ministry care for the sacred linens used at Mass, ensuring they are cleaned, handled, and presented with the dignity due to the Church’s liturgy.
This behind‑the‑scenes work is an expression of love for the Eucharist and a practical contribution to the beauty and order of parish worship. By caring for the corporal, purificators, lavabo towels, and other liturgical cloths, ministers help uphold the reverence that surrounds the altar and the celebration of the Mass.
Who can serve?
Members of the Linens Ministry should be people of:
respect for the Eucharist and reverence for the altar
attentiveness to detail
reliability and a sense of responsibility
care and gentleness when handling sacred objects
a quiet spirit of service
commitment to completing tasks in a timely manner
knowledge of fabric care, or a willingness to learn
This ministry is well‑suited to those who prefer prayerful, practical service carried out with care and discretion.
What does the ministry involve?
This ministry ordinarily includes:
collecting the used linens at an agreed time
laundering and folding them according to parish guidelines
returning them to the sacristy in a timely manner
notifying the sacristan or clergy if stock is running low or if replacement is needed
handling all sacred linens with appropriate reverence and care
minor repairs to different types of fabric
Basic guidance is provided for the laundering and care of linens, especially for those new to the ministry. This service is usually carried out weekly or on a rotating roster.
Rosters and availability
New volunteers may nominate their preferred frequency or availability.
Ongoing formation
Members of the Linens Ministry receive guidance on the care and handling of sacred linens, along with support from experienced volunteers. Formation helps deepen understanding of the liturgy and the significance of this quiet but essential ministry.
Sacristan Ministry
The ministry of the sacristan is a quiet but essential service within the life of our Cathedral Parish. Whether serving at St Christopher’s Cathedral or St Peter Chanel, sacristans help prepare the sacred spaces where God’s people gather to worship. The word sacristan comes from the Latin sacer, meaning sacred. Sacristans often work behind the scenes, creating an environment that supports prayerful, beautiful, and dignified liturgy. Their attitude and discretion contribute greatly to the experience of all who come to Mass.
Who can serve?
Sacristans should be people of:
a deep love for the Eucharist
faith and prayer
good character and discretion
respect for the liturgical environment
a welcoming and reverent manner
a collaborative approach with clergy and fellow ministers
a willingness to continually learn and grow in the ministry
Above all, sacristans should be noted for their care for the assembly, showing sensitivity to parishioners—including those carrying unseen burdens—whom they may encounter only briefly, yet significantly. These qualities reflect a mature Christian, particularly as the role often requires working independently with calmness and good judgement.
What does the ministry involve?
Sacristans help prepare the church before Mass, ensure everything is in place for the liturgy, and assist with any needs that arise. They also tidy the sanctuary and sacristy after Mass and may be responsible for locking the church. Sacristans should be comfortable inviting or directing others in a respectful manner, particularly when additional assistance is required. At times extra help is needed during Mass, and it falls to the sacristan to seek that assistance with courtesy.
Rosters and availability
Sacristans are placed on a quarterly roster, and a spirit of flexibility is appreciated. From time to time, additional help may be needed at a Mass or liturgical celebration. A willingness to assist, swap when necessary, or step in when needed is an important part of this ministry’s service to the Parish. Sacristans may serve at any Sunday or weekday Mass and are invited to nominate their preferred days of availability to the sacristan coordinator, who will endeavour to accommodate where possible.
Ongoing formation
All liturgical ministers, including sacristans, are encouraged to continue learning about the liturgy and growing in their ministry. Formation deepens our understanding of the Mass and strengthens our service to Christ and His Church. New sacristans will be paired with an experienced sacristan until they are confident and ready to serve independently.
Reader/Lector Ministry
Reader/Lector Ministry
The Ministry of the Reader (also called Lector if instituted) is a vital service within the liturgical life of St Christopher’s Cathedral and St Peter Chanel’s Mass Centre. Readers proclaim the Scriptures at Mass, helping the assembled community hear and respond to the living Word of God. Through clear, prayerful, and reverent proclamation, Readers assist the faithful in encountering Christ, who speaks to His Church through the sacred texts.
This ministry is not simply reading aloud; it is a work of service that requires preparation, understanding, and a love for Scripture. Readers help create a prayerful atmosphere in which the Word of God can be received with faith and attentiveness.
Who can serve?
Readers should be people of:
a love for Scripture and a desire to grow in God’s Word
prayerfulness and a mature Christian life
clarity of voice and confidence in public reading
reverence for the liturgy and attentiveness to its rhythm
reliability, punctuality, and willingness to prepare well
collaboration with clergy and fellow liturgical ministers
a respectful, welcoming presence within the assembly
Above all, Readers should approach the Scriptures with humility and devotion, recognising that the ministry is a service to the parish community. The dignity of the role calls for careful preparation, spiritual attentiveness, and a desire to serve God through the proclamation of His Word.
What does the ministry involve?
Readers assist during Mass by proclaiming the First and Second Readings, the Psalm if it is said rather than sung, and the Prayers of the Faithful if required.
Their responsibilities may include:
preparing the readings prayerfully during the week
arriving early to check pronunciation, page numbers, and any parish-specific notes
proclaiming the readings with clarity, reverence, and appropriate pacing
supporting the flow of the liturgy through attentiveness to cues and movements
joining in the liturgy as active members of the assembly before and after the reading
Readers should be comfortable proclaiming Scripture with confidence while maintaining a reverent awareness that they are serving God’s people.
Rosters and availability
Readers are placed on a roster. Flexibility and a spirit of service are appreciated, as occasional assistance may be needed at additional Masses or parish celebrations.
Readers are encouraged to nominate their preferred Mass times across weekdays and the weekend, and the ministry leader will accommodate where possible. Swapping with fellow Readers when necessary is welcomed.
Ongoing formation
All liturgical ministers, including Readers, are encouraged to continue deepening their understanding of the liturgy and their love for Scripture. The Parish will provide opportunities for ongoing formation which helps Readers proclaim God’s Word with increasing confidence, reverence, and faith.