17. Lay Ministries

Besides sacramental orders, there are other "ministries" in the Church. Principal among these are the lay ministries of Lector (Reader) and Acolyte (Server). Reserved for laymen, these are also levels through which a candidate for priesthood must go. These candidates are officially installed into their ministry. Other special ministries in the Church, as with extraordinary ministers, are less formally constituted and are much more dependent upon the needs of a particular parish. For example, the difference between an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and an Acolyte in practice is that the first can only function in his or her parish; the latter is usually permitted to distribute communion in an assortment of parishes and settings. Although there are official lectors in the Church, many people (Readers) read the Scriptures at Mass without formal installation, thus opening this service to both men and women. The altar server is also performing a worthwhile ministry for God's people. Other kinds of ministries might include work in shelters, shopping for shut-ins, visiting the elderly and sick, parish committees, and ushers of hospitality, etc.

Lay people sometimes work as Pastoral Associates and Catechists. Women represent a majority in these positions and it shows how the modern Church respects and celebrates the gifts of women.