Mission for Liturgy
All who are made Children of God — by faith and baptism — should come together to praise God in the midst of
His Church. The liturgy moves the faithful, filled with the paschal sacraments, to be one in holiness. It prays that they may hold fast in their lives to what they have grasped by their faith; the renewal in the Eucharist of the covenant between the Lord and his people draws the faithful into the compelling love of Christ and sets them on fire.
From the liturgy, grace is poured forth upon us. The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy.
40 Hours
The 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion is a special 40-hour period of continuous prayer made before
the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. The focus of this devotion is on the Holy Eucharist.
HGA's 40 Hours Devotions typically take place from Sunday through Tuesday, at the end of
September each year. Eucharistic Adoration begins after the 11:30am Mass and continues until
the solemn closing on Tuesday evening at 7pm. There is a service each evening at 7pm with night prayer and a guest preacher. Adorers may sign up to keep watch with our Lord over the three days.
Music Ministry
CHOIR
The Adult Choir is a music ministry with a mission to enhance the liturgy of the Mass and other
religious rites through song. The choir is comprised of male and female parishioners who enjoy
singing in four-part harmony. There are no auditions to be a choir member nor is it
necessary to read music. If you can carry a tune, you are exactly who we are looking for.
Rehearsals are held every Thursday evening from 6:45-8:30pm in the church choir loft.
Our repertoire ranges from familiar Latin hymns to contemporary compositions. We have a
vast library of music including Masses of Creation, Celtic, and Heritage to name a few.
The choir sings at every 10am Sunday Mass (excluding summer months). The choir is
acclaimed for the Vespers program performed during Advent. It wouldn't be Christmas at
HGA without the Choir providing inspirational hymns in the prelude to Midnight Mass.
We are also an integral part of the solemnity of Holy Week and Forty Hours Devotion.
The HGA Choir is always looking for a few good voices!
The choir is under the direction of Mrs. Sue Swavely, who has an extensive background
in choral music. Our accompanist is Mrs. Anne Lazar. If you have any questions,
please contact Sue Swavely at 610-587-7061 or email sswavely@hgaparish.com.
CANTORS
There is a special role for soloists with the ability to inspire a worshiping assembly into song.
The liturgical soloist acts as Cantor of the Psalm and Gospel verse, as well as the leaders of
hymns, acclamations and Mass parts in the absence of a choir. The main requirement for this
role is the ability to since clearly, in tune, and with confidence. This is a specialized ministry
that may require an audition and training with the Music Director. Cantors must be able to learn the music independently as there are no cantor rehearsals with the organist or Music Director.
Cantors can be scheduled to sing anywhere from one to four times per month, depending
on need and cantor availability. Any in 9th Grade or older is welcome to audition.
Contact: Sue Swavely, 610-587-7061 or sswavely@hgaparish.com.
Altar Society
The Altar Society cares for the altar, sacristy and sanctuary. Their purpose is to help maintain the liturgical needs of our daily worship, to beautify our worship area, and to grow in the community and common service. Some of their duties and responsibilities, to name a few, include decorating the Sanctuary prior to Masses andholidays, make the bibs handed out at all Baptisms, clean the
holy water fonts, along with anything else thatneeds to be done. Many of the Altar Society
members provide individual assistance which includes the washing, ironing, folding, repair and maintenance of the linens and vestments of the priests and servers. An Altar Society will be forming soon – please call the rectory if you are interested in being part of this beautiful ministry.
Contact Lisa Wood: 610-741-3717 or woodfamily84@gmail.com.
Altar Servers
Altar Serving is a parish ministry open to young men and women between 5th and 12th Grade.
A new altar server is required to attend training provided by the parish typically in the spring each year. Once trained, an altar server will be added to the parish liturgical ministry schedule. In addition to serving at the regularlyscheduled weekend Mass an altar server might be asked to serve weddings
on occasion or other liturgical events. Altar Servers are also required to attend The Mass of
the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and the parish’s Annual 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion.
Contact: Anne Malinowski at 610-921-2729, ext. 2216 or amalinowski@hgaparish.com.
Anointing the Sick
Please notify the Parish Office when a parishioner is in the hospital or home, and would
like to receive communion or anointing of the sick. The Sacrament of the Sick is available to
all in need of healing. Please do not wait until death is imminent to offer your loved
one this grace. Visits can also be made to those parishioners who are homebound and
would like to receive communion by Eucharistic Ministers, Fr. Hoffa.
Emergency requests for the Sacrament of the Sick or Anointing of the Sick
should be made by calling the Rectory Office at610-921-2729 and selecting Option 8.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Come and spend some time with our Eucharistic Lord! We are in need of someone to
manage the Children's Liturgy of the Word Program. In this program, the children hear the
Sunday Readings and Prayer of the Faithful in their own words. They also have “take home
papers” to share with the family. This program is offered to Children in Grades 1 and 2. If interested, please contact Father Hoffa at 610-921-2729, ext. 2205 or ahoffa@hgaparish.com.
Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration is available every Wednesday beginning after the
8am daily Mass until Benediction at 6pm, typically in the Chapel. Confession is
available from 8:30-9:00am and 5:15-5:45pm each Wednesday as well.
Lectors & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Lector is a parish ministry open to men, women, or high school students who are called to be
ministers of the Word at Mass or for special liturgical celebrations. A new Lector is trained to
proclaim the Word of God and then added to the parish liturgical ministry schedule.
These ministers of the Word proclaim the Scriptures, read the petitions, announce the hymns,
and read any messages that are needed at Mass or for special liturgical celebrations.
Eucharistic Ministers serve at Liturgy by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ
to the gathered community. Please sign in before Mass on the sheet in the Gathering Space.
If you are interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, contact
Anne Malinowski at 610-921-2729, ext. 2216 or amalinowski@hgaparish.com.
Ushers
The role of the Usher is one of offering a friendly, welcoming presence to those coming to
worship, of providing leadership during emergencies and performing such tasks as taking up
the collection, presenting the gifts, assisting parishioners during Communion, disseminating the
church bulletin and participating in cleaning the church after completion of the Mass.
Contact: Father Hoffa at 610-921-2729, ext. 2205 or ahoffa@hgaparish.com.