To ensure that altar linens (purificators, corporals & large altar cloths) and garments (priest and deacon vestments and altar server cassocks) are clean and presentable for all services.
Duties for this ministry:
To regularly inspect priest and deacon vestments as well as altar server cassocks to make sure they are presentable for services.
Linens:
The corporals and palls are soaked in a bucket of warm water for one hour or more to remove wine stains and to ensure that all minute particles of hosts are dissolved. When removing the linens from the bucket, the excess water is wrung out back into the bucket. The water in the bucket must then be poured into the earth.
To ensure that the Body and Blood of Christ are no longer present on the linens, they are soaked a second time in cold water, wrung out and again, the remaining water is poured into the earth.
They can then be placed in a washer and cleaned as normal. They must be pressed using spray starch and an iron.
The procedure is used for the large altar cloths except they are taken to the dry-cleaner for pressing.
Vestments:
The instructions for cleaning priest and deacon vestments are listed on the label inside of the collar. They are usually different for each, so it is important to check each vestment. Normally, these are taken to the dry cleaner. The cost of cleaning is paid for out of your own pocket, the receipts turned in to the church office and the total dollar amount added to your church contributions.
The altar server cassocks can be laundered as labeled, most normally in the washing machine, taking special care for any spots/stains. May be pressed at home or taken to the dry cleaners.
Skills, abilities, and gifts desired to serve in this ministry:
The desire to respectfully care for the sacred Body and Blood of Christ which is still present in minute forms on the linens.
Contact information for the ministry leader: Name: Paul Lezon Address: 2413 Lake Ann Road Interlochen, MI 49643 Home Phone: 231.943.9157
General meeting days and times for this ministry:
Weekly pickup either on Sunday after Masses or on Monday. Returned to Sacristy by Friday at 12:00pm.