Vermeer, Johannes. Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, 1655. Oil on canvas, 160 cm x 142 cm. Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh.

An initiative of the Worship, Liturgy, & Spirituality Commission
of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Parish

Inspired by the Gospel account of Saints Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42, the Martha & Mary Ministry of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Parish seeks to provide for the practical needs of the Lord and His priests in things pertaining to the Sacred Liturgy and the care and cleaning of the sanctuary, sacristy, and devotional spaces of the church. This is a ministry of intercession and service open to parishioners of all ages, including parents and their children. Tasks vary and are assigned according to the abilities and talents of the members.

Tasks can include:

• Clean and dust sanctuary and sacristy
• Care for flowers
• Replace candles and polish candlesticks
• Clean/refill holy water fonts
• Care for cruets, sacred vessels, etc.
• Periodic “Spring and Fall cleaning” of church, with dusting and polishing also included
• In addition to weekly and periodic individual/group work, assigned individuals take care of the following on ongoing basis:
  • Laundering linens for Mass, bringing vestments to cleaners, cleaning and changing altar cloths, cleaning candle lighters and brass candle followers, cleaning server cassocks and surplices, cleaning thuribles, informing the parish office about needed supplies, etc.
• Groups, with heads of each, are assigned to direct seasonal decorating for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. This also includes preparing for various feasts throughout the remainder of the liturgical year.

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

- Luke 10:38-42