All of St. Bart's girls and boys, from grades 5th through 12th, are encouraged to consider becoming an altar server. They assist the priests with Sunday and weekday liturgy and on other special liturgical occasions. We currently have about 70 servers but the number varies from year to year. We provide training in the fall with afternoon and evening sessions to accommodate different schedules.  We also provide specialized training for youth who want to become senior servers.  Please contact Richard Elliott at 202-255-4506 or lowe[email protected] for more information.

The Ministry of Lector or Proclaimer involves commitment, faith, and skill.  All St. Bart’s lectors are supplied with a workbook with the texts for the specific year’s readings. We training our lectors and also encourage them to participe in Archdiocesan Lector Ministry Workshops.  In general, two lectors read at each Mass, with the exception of the 7:00 A.M. Mass, for which solo lectors may volunteer. Lectors usually read at one Mass per month, with the exception of special holidays. The ability to project one's voice, to speak distinctly, and to practice are prequesites. There is a power and a presence in the Word of God which can touch and change lives, the reader's as well as the listeners'. Please contact Anne-Marie Economopoulos 301-365-1233 or [email protected] for more information.  

The Eucharist constitutes the very life of the Church, for the Lord said, "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in me shall ever thirst."

In every celebration of the Eucharist there should always be a sufficient number of ministers for the distribution of the Eucharist. If there are a sufficient number of ordinary ministers of the Eucharist (bishops, priests, and deacons) or auxiliary ministers (instituted acolytes), then they will distribute the Eucharist.  However, when there are not enough ordinary and auxiliary members, special or extraordinary ministers should assist in the distribution of Communion.

In this role, you offer the Eucharist, recognize the Body of Christ in those to whom you offer the Eucharist and, ultimately, you act as the Body of Christ by fully participating in the life of the parish and the wider community. Your willingness to commit to a monthly schedule, to prepare properly for your service, and to arrive on time and dressed appropriately for your assigned mass further reflects that commitment. In addition, some Extraordinary Ministers take the Eucharist to those who are unable to attend Mass. We also have Extraordinary Ministers who act only as substitutes should a scheduled minister be unable to fulfill his or her assignment.  We try to accommodate your individual schedule to the extent possible. The Archbishop of Washington appoints all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Please contact the pastor directly if you are interested in serving this Ministry. For additional information, please contact Ann Kennedy at 301-229-7614 or [email protected].

The Ministry of Ushering is a vital part of any church ministry. Ushers represent the church in a very visible way, help set the tone in preparation for the worship service, and assist with the smooth operation within the service. Ushers assist when there is a disturbance, illness, or other situation that requires special attention. St. Bart's ushers sometimes are called upon to provide directions to facilities, to assist visitors to their seats, to provide a comfortable temperature in the church, and, if requested, to help people with special needs to enter or leave the sanctuary. For further information, please contact Theresa Kowal at 301 -320-8876, or [email protected].