Liturgical Ministries
Students from all class years have the opportunity to serve as Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ministers of Hospitality, Sacristans, and Music Ministers at all of our liturgies.
Liturgical Ministries Program
All Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Ministers of Hospitality, Sacristans, and Musicians are members of our Liturgical Ministry program. In the fall and spring, students need to apply and interview to join our program. All students in the program meet every other week during the school year for ongoing spiritual formation and community building. These meetings enrich their spiritual lives with discussions and speakers in the area of faith, justice and morality, introduce them to different kinds of prayer, build community, and offer opportunities to participate in service projects.
Our training includes theological overviews of ministry and the Eucharist, as well as in-depth explanations of the parts of the Mass and their specific liturgical roles. New ministers are assigned mentors to guide them through their training. Anybody interested in joining the program should reach out to our Campus Minister for Liturgy, Valerie Kisselback.
All students involved in Liturgical, and Music Ministries have the opportunity to attend combined retreats in the fall (overnight) and spring (single-day).
Music Ministry
Church musicians are called to proclaim the Gospel through the universal language of music. Every Mass participates in the eternal, heavenly liturgy and the music ministry at Fairfield University strives to provide liturgical music that is worthy of this great calling.
We enhance the prayer of our worshiping community and seek to use music that not only encourages participation, but also lifts our hearts and minds to heaven.
Our goal is to help the choir members and instrumentalists develop their God-given gifts and talents. Through our rehearsal process, we are not only refining our art in service of the Church, but we are also preparing our hearts, minds, and voices to enter into the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
Join Us!
We are actively recruiting for our music program at the chapel. If you like to sing or play an instrument and feel called to share your gift, contact Director of Chapel Music, Dan Horstmann, to get involved.
Student musicians assist in providing music at the Sunday 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. liturgies, as well as on Holy Days or other major occasions. Choirs and Ensembles rehearse during the week (on scheduled days) and on Sundays the hour before Mass begins.
Our Choirs
Community Choir
11 a.m. Sunday Mass
We sing from the Church's treasury of sacred music each Sunday. Join this group if you would like to sing beautiful hymn/choral music that will nourish you musically and spiritually. No prior musical experience is necessary, only the ability to match pitch! We will help you make the most of the instrument that God gave you! Rehearsals are on Sundays from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. in the chapel.
Chapel Choir and Ensemble
7:30 p.m. Sunday Mass
This choir sings a combination of traditional and contemporary Catholic hymns and songs. Singers, Guitarists, Bassists, Band/Wind Instruments, Drums etc. are encouraged. No prior singing experience is necessary, only the ability to match pitch. We will help you make the most of the instrument that God gave you! Rehearsals are on schedule weekdays and Sundays from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. in the chapel.
Instrumentalists
We are always seeking instrumentalists to strengthen our ensembles at each Mass. Guitarists, percussionists, and solo instrumentalists (flute, violin, cello, saxophone, trumpet, etc.) are all welcome! Instrumentalists attend rehearsals with the choirs.
