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Unbeknownst to most parishioners, the ladies of the Mater Dei Altar Society serve as silent disciples, working quietly every Saturday morning to oversee the reverent care of the altar and chapel. Our dedication ensures that His dwelling place is maintained with the greatest dignity, honor, and respect that we can possibly offer.
Who is the leader of this group?
I am Cecilia Bralick, and have been the coordinator for the Altar Society since Mater Dei began having Masses at our current location.
How does your group serve the Mater Dei community?
The Altar Society is a group of ladies who are responsible for the care and cleaning of Mater Dei church. Our work is done mainly on Saturday mornings after the 8:00am Mass, although some members are able to do their work on weekdays. Duties include cleaning the nave, sacristy, Infant of Prague/Sacred Heart alcove, confessionals, choir loft and stairs, and the sanctuary.
How many people serve in the Altar Society?
Currently Altar Society has about 24 members, divided into five teams. Each team works once per month for about two hours each time. Each new member is trained and supervised by a Team Leader. Our current team leaders are Team 1-Valerie Graham, Team 2-Cecilia Bralick, Team 3-Tracy Nunley, Team 4-Blair Brown, and Team 5- Joell Bosse.
When people are ready to make time commitments, they need to contact me directly for a brief interview and be Safe Environment cleared.
What are some of the most rewarding parts of this service?
Once per year we have a luncheon at which we welcome any new members who have joined our group, and we get a chance to socialize with each other in a fun and relaxing way. Our real reward, however, is in spending time with Our Lord in the chapel. All our members have expressed a true love for this humble work.
Any final thoughts?
Our group is one of the less prominent groups at Mater Dei, yet the work we do is so necessary for the comfort of the parishioners, the support of our clergy, and the beauty of Our Lord’s house. We welcome anyone who has a desire to help. Even those with disabilities can find useful tasks which help us accomplish our mission.
Who to contact for more information
You can contact Cecilia Bralick by email at altarsociety@materdeiparish.com or by phone at 972-252-4515.
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