The Altar Guild: A Special Way of Serving the Parish and Growing Closer to God

From the more visible, wellknown ministries to the smaller, behind-the-scenes groups, everyone here at Our Lady of the Assumption plays a part. The Altar Guild is one important piece of the puzzle and a wonderful example of stewardship in simple and unseen things. For Marylee Johnson, this is a special way to serve the parish while growing closer to God.

“It is one of those things that people don’t always notice — a lot of people want to do something, but they don’t necessarily want to be out in the limelight,” Marylee says. “We all just feel like it’s something we can do to contribute. A lot of the ladies are retired, and they can’t get involved in some of the other ministries at the parish because they might not be physically able. This is something they are able to do.”

Marylee has been involved with the Altar Guild for about five years and organizes the schedule of who will launder and iron the altar linens each week. Each member of the ministry cares for the linens on a different week, going on a rotation.

“We usually pick up the linens on Sunday after the Masses — the linens, purificators, towels, altar cloths, and anything else the priest uses to celebrate Mass,” Marylee says. “We keep an eye on the vestments — we don’t launder them, but we do send them out to be cleaned and we let Father know when it needs to be done.

“All of the ladies each have their own way of doing it, but with our training, we just make sure that if the Body or Blood of Christ is on any of the linens, that we rinse it out in a bowl and then put that water into the ground,” she adds. “Some do this in the sacristy, and others take them home and use a special bowl they have at home. I say the Rosary when I’m doing mine, and others say different prayers, such as the prayers said at Adoration. Each one of us has something different that we do.”

Over the years, Marylee has been involved in a variety of ministries and has enjoyed the way each one has brought her closer to God. The Altar Guild is a wonderful way to serve on a quieter, lower-profile level.

“I also help with RCIA, facilitate Baptisms, and I worked at the school for 20 years,” she says. “I think that everything you do for any of the ministries will focus you a little bit more on what you believe in, and what’s your reason for being Catholic. It brings you a little closer to the community and a little closer to God.”

If you would like more information about the Altar Guild, please contact Marylee Johnson at jmjohn@surewest.net or 916-359-1225.

The Altar Guild is a wonderful example of stewardship in the simple and unseen things.