SACRISTAN Duties - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
416 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105
Office of Liturgy & Music
Tel: 816-842-0416 Ext. 11 9
Email: mpearson@kcgolddome.org
SACRISTAN GUIDELINES
Sacristans are the eyes and ears for the smooth flow of our liturgical celebrations. You assist us
with your attentive skill, your flexible nature and your ability to make decisions during liturgy
that do not draw attention to yourself. We are grateful for your dedication.
Before Mass
1. Unlock all chapel & cathedral doors before 2:30 PM, 9 AM, & 6 PM Masses.
2. Turn on all appropriate lights, as needed.
3. Check Adjust turn on heating cooling as needed.
4. Check Sacristan communication binder for any special notes, change in procedures from Diocese,
or differences that occur during the seasonal changes in Liturgy. [Example: Advent: incense,
asperges-(water bucket)]
5. Set up all liturgical appointments, including:
a. Liturgical books - Lectionary, Sacramentary
b. communion vessels
c. collection baskets & money bags(assigned)
d. Light altar candles
e. Processional Candles
f. Incense [during advent, Christmas and Easter and other high holy days]
g. votive candle maintenance in sanctuary
h. hosts
i. wine
j. altar cloths & communion linens (purificators, corporals)
6. Write down supplies that need to be re-ordered- hosts, wine, candles, incense etc. Leave a
written note in the SACRISTAN notebook located in the sacristy.
7. Check that tabernacle KEY is IN tabernacle. Check inside tabernacle for amounts of consecrated
Eucharist & monitor amounts "as needed".
8. Before Mass make sure the tabernacle front door [side with gates that have angels on them] is
unlocked, unlatched and slightly ajar [there is a spring latch that will pop open]. This front door is
used at ALL Masses for entering the tabernacle.
9. Be friendly liaison for all liturgical ministers as they "check-in" before Mass, and become familiar
with these volunteer liturgical ministers, both with face & with name recognition.
10. Find replacements for ABSENT liturgical ministers.
11. Assist, if needed, in orienting communion Ministers, Mass Servers, Lectors, or Ushers, as to any
"special directions" for that Mass, as found in the Sacristan communication binder.
12. Support the procedures for each liturgical ministry as their guidelines direct.
13. Lead the prayer when liturgical ministers gather for prayer in the sacristy before Mass.

After Mass
1. Be sure all consecrated wine is consumed after every Mass. (Get communion ministers to assist
with this.)
2. Be sure all consecrated Eucharistic bread is reserved in the tabernacle after every Mass.
3. Coordinate cleaning of all communion vessels after Mass, by having one communion minister
assist you. DO NOT SUBMERGE THE CUPS IN WATER.
4. Be sure designated persons have deposited money into safe. If they have not, you do it.
5. Lock all chapel & cathedral doors.
6. Turn off all appropriate lights, as needed.
7. Check/Adjust / turn off heating/cooling as needed.
8. Oversee the cleanliness of the Cathedral.
9. Alert maintenance staff of any special concerns of messes, etc.
10. Check restrooms so they are ready for the next Mass.
11. Check restrooms for people "hiding", before locking all exterior doors after the 8 PM.
Other Considerations
1. Check sacristy communication book for any special notes that alert you to anything out of the
usual procedures for Liturgy.
2. Keep sacristy clean and presentable. This includes countertops, floor, and cupboards. Alert
maintenance personnel of trash, or unusual messes that should be addressed.
3. Keep liturgical supplies (hosts, wine, candles, etc.) as needed.
4. Write down any liturgical supply needs [candles, incense, wine, hosts etc] in the sacristan
notebook
5. Keep all devotional votive candle areas cleaned & replenished.
6. Work directly with Director of Liturgy to ensure smooth operations.
7. SACRISTANS ARE THE GLUE THAT KEEPS EVERYTHING TOGETHER FOR LITURGY.
Keep abreast of the sacristan SCHEDULE. Arrange for a substitute and let Mario know as soon as
possible if you cannot find one.

Sacristan Quick Reference
1. Unlock all chapel & cathedral doors before 2:30
PM, 9 AM, & 6 PM Masses.
2. Turn on all appropriate lights, as needed.
3. Check Sacristan communication binder for any
special notes.
4. Set up all liturgical appointments including:
a. Liturgical books - Lectionary,
Sacramentary
b. communion vessels
c. collection baskets & money
bags(assigned)
d. Light altar candles
e. Processional Candles
f. Light Easter candle [during Easter season]
g. Incense [during advent, Christmas and
Easter and other high holy days]
h. votive candle maintenance in sanctuary
i. hosts
j. wine
k. altar cloths & communion linens
(purificators, corporals)
5. Check that tabernacle KEY is IN tabernacle.
Check inside tabernacle for amounts of
consecrated Eucharist & monitor amounts "as
needed".
6. Before Mass make sure the tabernacle front
door is unlocked, unlatched and slightly ajar
[there is a spring latch that will pop open].
7. Find replacements for ABSENT liturgical
ministers.
8. Assist as needed, in orienting EME, Servers,
Lectors, or Ushers, as to any "special
directions" for that Mass, as found in the
Sacristan communication binder.
9. Participate in prayer with liturgical ministers in
the sacristy before Mass.
10. Be sure all consecrated wine is consumed after
every Mass. (Get communion ministers to assist
with this.)
11. Be sure all consecrated Eucharistic bread is
reserved in the tabernacle after every Mass.
12. Coordinate cleaning of all communion vessels
after Mass. Ask EME’s to assist you. DO NOT
SUBMERGE THE CUPS IN WATER.
13. Be sure designated persons have deposited
money into safe. If they have not, you do it.
14. Lock all chapel & cathedral doors. [After 8pm
Mass]
15. Turn off all appropriate lights, as needed.
16. Report any supply needs [hosts/wine/incense
etc] to Mario as soon as possible.
Sacristan Quick Reference
1. Unlock all chapel & cathedral doors before 2:30
PM, 9 AM, & 6 PM Masses.
2. Turn on all appropriate lights, as needed.
3. Check Sacristan communication binder for any
special notes.
4. Set up all liturgical appointments including:
a. Liturgical books - Lectionary,
Sacramentary
b. communion vessels
c. collection baskets & money
bags(assigned)
d. Light altar candles
e. Processional Candles
f. Light Easter candle [during Easter season]
g. Incense [during advent, Christmas and
Easter and other high holy days]
h. votive candle maintenance in sanctuary
i. hosts
j. wine
k. altar cloths & communion linens
(purificators, corporals)
5. Check that tabernacle KEY is IN tabernacle.
Check inside tabernacle for amounts of
consecrated Eucharist & monitor amounts "as
needed".
6. Before Mass make sure the tabernacle front
door is unlocked, unlatched and slightly ajar
[there is a spring latch that will pop open].
7. Find replacements for ABSENT liturgical
ministers.
8. Assist as needed, in orienting EME, Servers,
Lectors, or Ushers, as to any "special
directions" for that Mass, as found in the
Sacristan communication binder.
9. Participate in prayer with liturgical ministers in
the sacristy before Mass.
10. Be sure all consecrated wine is consumed after
every Mass. (Get communion ministers to assist
with this.)
11. Be sure all consecrated Eucharistic bread is
reserved in the tabernacle after every Mass.
12. Coordinate cleaning of all communion vessels
after Mass. Ask EME’s to assist you. DO NOT
SUBMERGE THE CUPS IN WATER.
13. Be sure designated persons have deposited
money into safe. If they have not, you do it.
14. Lock all chapel & cathedral doors. [After 8pm
Mass]
15. Turn off all appropriate lights, as needed.
16. Report any supply needs [hosts/wine/incense
etc] to Mario as soon as possible.