What is Ministry Scheduler Pro?

Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) is used at Holy Trinity to specifically schedule

Lectors

Altar Servers

Ushers

Greeters

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC).

This program allows us to take into consideration individual preferences when scheduling as well as maintain an accurate database of all our ministers.

How do I obtain a profile? 

Once you have completed training for your respective ministry, the Ministry Scheduler will enter your information into Ministry Scheduler Pro and send you your username and password for accessing your profile online. You will need to provide an email address and phone number that can be used to contact you both automatically from the Ministry Schedule Pro and to be listed in the Minister Roster for fellow ministers to contact you for sub requests.

Why do I have a profile?

Your online profile allows you to regularly update your contact information, preferences, and availability.   You can also view the current Schedule and request replacements for Masses in which you are scheduled to serve.  

Unable to serve?

If you are unable to serve when scheduled, it is important you find a replacement in a timely manner.  Finding a replacement can easily be done through the Ministry Scheduler Pro website.  Log into your account and click "My Schedules."  Next to the date you are scheduled to serve click "Request Sub." You may also look under the "Roster" tab to obtain names and phone numbers of fellow members and call them directly if you are not available. Before each new schedule is published, you will be reminded to update your profile and mark off any Mass times or dates that you are unavailable.  This will prevent scheduling conflicts.

Automatic Emails

Most email communication will come from the email address: MinistryScheduler@holytrinitybloomington.org.  Be sure to check your SPAM folder if you are not receiving any emails from MSP. On occasion you might get an email directly from one of  the ministry coordinators.

Contact a Ministry Coordinator

Complete the form below to contact a ministry coordinator:

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Effective immediately, while distributing Holy Communion during Mass, it is up to the individual EMHC to determine whether or not to wear a mask.  However, please continue using hand sanitizer before distribution of Holy Communion, in any and all circumstances.  When in doubt about wearing a mask in these situations, please inquire. 

Primary and secondary positions diagram for all four stations:

Beginning August 5th and 6th, at Holy Trinity Church, we will be expanding to 2 EMHC's offering the Precious Blood.  The 2 EMHC with the Communion Cup and purificator will be located on the floor level, standing in front of the red-tiled sanctuary standing fairly near where the one Cup distributor is currently standing for the weekend Masses, but with about an 8 foot distance from each other: that way, there will still be room for the lines to form, from both directions and thus, the lines would not create a traffic jam---if they were to be located close to the corners of the red-tiled sanctuary. 

Six EMHCs will approach the altar at the usual time; whatever 2 EMHC are lined up in the middle of the six EMHCs when they line themselves up behind the altar will be designated as the Communion Cup distributors.  As done in the past (ie, pre-Covid), all EMHC's will be distributed a Host first and then the ciboria will be given to four of them and the Cup and purificator will be given to the middle EMHC.  If/when you are one of the EMHC who receives the Cup and purificator, please refrain from distributing the Cup to the other four EMHC's who will be beside you, since they will very likely have already been handed a ciborium and thus, will not be able to handle the Cup sufficiently.  

Whatever Precious Blood is not consumed by communicants, the EMHC's distributing the Cup will be asked to go to the Credence Table and consume the remaining Precious Blood and then placing the empty Cup and purificator on the Credence Table.  The Deacon of the Mass (or else, the Priest of the Mass) will purify the Cup after the conclusion of Mass.  If, perchance, the EMHC's distributing the Cup does not wish to consume the remaining Precious Blood, the Deacon or Priest of the Mass will be do so immediately, as the EMHC ---in such a case---will bring the unconsumed Precious Blood to the Altar (instead of the Credence Table) for consumption by the Priest or Deacon of the Mass.

If you are a new EMHC who is not familiar with ministering the Cup, please watch how it is done to learn, or you are always welcome to ask Fr. Stirniman, Fr Peter or a Deacon.

EMHC are to come forward during the "Lamb of God"  on either side of the Altar and ascend as the Deacon receives Holy Communion.  Ministers assigned to the transepts have a secondary position as shown in the diagram.

At 10:00AM  Mass,  the EMHC assigned to the 4th station ( West transept) will proceed to the back of the nave to communicate any parishioners who are unable to come forward (ushers will help point them out)  then proceed to the choir loft.  When finished, the ciborium should be placed in the alternate Tabernacle on the East side of the choir loft.

EMHC Outreach

Effective immediately, we would highly recommend to wear a mask when distributing Holy Communion in a care facility, hospital, to a sick parishioner in their home, and the like; when in doubt about wearing a mask in these situations, please inquire. 

Fr. Stirniman has recently begun an additional Eucharistic ministry to two area care facilities in Bloomington.  As part of this expanded Eucharistic ministry as an EMHC, you serve on a rotating basis with others after Holy Trinity Parish’s Sunday 10am Masses.  Initially, we have two EMHCs each Sunday that visit Westminster Village. Also, we have one EMHC who visits Heritage Manor on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month.

Immediately after receiving Holy Communion during the 10am Sunday morning HT Mass, the EMHC proceeds to the Altar and collects a designated pyx with consecrated Hosts and goes to either Westminster Village or Heritage Manor, to distribute Holy Communion to the Catholics who are gathered in a community room at the facility.

 

Alter Servers

We would like to thank all the servers who were able to assist at the altar during the past quarter. Please remember that servers are asked to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before mass.  Those who do arrive at least 15 minutes before mass,  and stay long enough after mass to clear the credence table, put out the candles, turn off the sound system and neatly  hang up there alb,  will receive 1.5 hrs. of service time.    We will continue  tracking attendance.  We understand that unanticipated things can and will occur, So servers that do secure a sub to fill their assignment, will not be counted as absent.

Servers that miss 3 or more of their assigned masses in any given quarter, depending on the circumstances, may not be scheduled going forward. 

Lectors

Lectors are not required to wear masks while serving. Mask are optional. If you choose to wear a mask, please remove it which speaking.

For special yearly Masses, when there are choices for the readings, the Lector Coordinator will work with Priest/Deacon in advance of the Mass date so that you will be aware of which reading are to be used. This information will come in the form of an email at least one week in advance of the Mass date.

For some daily and weekend masses, there are short and long readings. Please prepare for the Long version. Before Mass, you can ask the Priest if the Short version is acceptable and change to the short version for that Mass if directed.

It’s requested that you arrive at your schedule Mass date at least 15 minutes before for any special directions.

It’s requested that you position yourself at the North Door entrance of the Church at least 5 minutes before the Mass start time to prepare for the processional entrance.

If you are unable to serve on any of the Mass dates you are schedule, it’s your responsibility to use the MSP program to request a sub. If no one accepts the sub request online, there is also a Roster of all Lectors in the MSP tool you can use to contact other Lectors directly.

Ushers

Please note that the East and West doors are expected to be repaired this fall. Once the repairs have been completed, we will resume using them. We will send out notification when the East/West door are re-opened.

If you are unable to serve on any of the Mass dates you are schedule, it’s your responsibility to use the MSP program to request a sub. If no one accepts the sub request online, there is also a Roster of all Ushers in the MSP tool you can use to try and contact other Usher directly.

Now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted, please note that we will maintain a small section of socially distanced pews on the left side of the church ( not the transept). A sign will mark the back of that section to make it easier to find. Over time, it is expected that this section will be reduced in size as fewer parishioners choose to socially distance themselves. Eventually, we expect to remove all social distancing.

We will resume the traditional method of collections.  Ushers that serve on the socially-distant side will be required to wear a mask.

Ushers when not performing collections, are not required to wear masks.

Please bring the Parish Petition Book brought forward along with both the Gifts (bread and wine) as well as the collection at Offertory time.  All these things (bread & wine and Parish Petition Book and Collection) are to be brought forward at Offertory, but the two ushers are to then receive the Children’s Basket from me and then continue on, into the sacristy to “stash the cash” as it were.  Hopefully you can always manage to get at least two people to bring the bread, wine, and Book; if not, please do so yourselves.

Greeters

Starting in August we will no longer assign Greeters to the East and West Doors. These new greeter positions have be established.

Greeter - North Door

One person, to be positioned at the main front middle door before and after Mass. Responsibility includes opening the door and providing a friendly greeting to our parishioners

Greeter - Elevator

One person, to be positioned between the elevator and middle church doors at top of stairs to greet those coming off elevator and additional greetings at top of stairs.

Greeter - Gift bearers

A family or individual assigned to present the gifts during Mass.

Greeter - Bulletins

Two people to hand out bulletins after Mass. One between church doors on elevator side and one on the opposite side.

If multiple people in family for any greeter positions of North door, Elevator, or Bulletins; they can assist as additional greeters at top of stairs before Mass, and after Mass they can help with the additional North door that is open after Mass. Obviously, each greeter position will still have the “request a sub” feature. 

If you are unable to serve on any of the Mass dates you are schedule, it’s your responsibility to use the MSP program to request a sub. If no one accepts the sub request online, there is also a Roster of all Greeters in the MSP tool you can use to try and contact other Greeters directly.

Now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted, please note that we will maintain a small section of socially distanced pews on the left side of the church ( not the transept). A sign will mark the back of that section to make it easier to find. Over time, it is expected that this section will be reduced in size as fewer parishioners choose to socially distance themselves. Eventually, we expect to remove all social distancing. 

Masks are optional. No Greeters are required to wear masks while serving.