Parishioner Dave Iski Reflects On The Blessings Of Our Sacristan Ministry

Have you ever noticed how beautifully prepared our sanctuary is for each and every Mass? The altar sits ready for the celebration of the Eucharist, the holy vessels gleam, and the liturgical books are right where they belong. All of these details come together to provide a peaceful and reverential atmosphere for worship, though many of us may not know who we have to thank for ensuring that the sanctuary remains such a sacred haven — our parish sacristans.

Parishioner Dave Iski has been a sacristan for the 12:05 p.m. daily Mass at Holy Family Cathedral for close to a year. Last fall, Fr. Kastl picked up on the fact that Dave had recently started reading at the daily Mass and always arrived about 15 minutes before noon, so he invited him to serve as a sacristan.

“Fr. Kastl is the one who got me going,” Dave says. “He asked if I wanted to be a sacristan and I told him what was in my heart, ‘Father, I’m here to serve the Lord by serving you, and I’ll do whatever I can to help you.’ I converted to Catholicism in 1998, and I had been a bump on the pew for years — going to Mass but not to any parish meetings or activities. But now, God is calling and calling me.”

Holy Family Cathedral is blessed to have dedicated parishioners serving as sacristans for each Mass. To prepare the sanctuary for the liturgy, they first unlock the cathedral and turn on all the lights. Then, in the sacristy, they prepare the sacred vessels, including the chalice and the cruets of water and wine. They also check the tabernacle to see if there is a sufficient number of hosts for the upcoming Mass.

While most of the work of a sacristan happens behind the scenes, it is nonetheless essential to the celebration of the liturgy. It also allows our priests a little extra time before the Mass to dedicate to one of their many pastoral duties.

“My theory is that my being there a half-hour early — unlocking the doors, setting up the sacred vessels, getting everything ready — that is time that Fr. Kastl and Fr. Carvajal can finish something that is far more important,” Dave says. “And I believe that by me doing this, there will be a time that they are on the phone or talking with someone, and that may be the person’s last day on earth. By setting up for the Mass, I’m freeing the priest to spend those last few minutes with them. I honestly believe that.”

As a sacristan, Dave has found that his quiet moments in the Lord’s house have deepened his faith and intimacy with Christ. Typically, when Dave first arrives and unlocks the cathedral, he takes some time to sit in the empty sanctuary, reflecting on the presence of the Lord in the tabernacle and praying the Rosary.

“I’m taking a personal opportunity to spend time alone with my Savior,” Dave says. “It has taken my spiritual journey to a whole new level. I’m just overwhelmed at this. One of the deacons asked me one day how it felt when I check the tabernacle to see if we need more Host for the Mass, to know you are looking at Jesus. And it just gives me goosebumps, knowing this is not a story — it’s real. My Lord is right here.”

Feeling so richly blessed by his experience as a sacristan, Dave would encourage anyone who may be interested in living out more intentional discipleship to prayerfully consider serving the parish in this special way.

“It has taken my spiritual life to such a wonderful depth,” he says. “Being a sacristan, I would tell people to run to get to the front of the line. Your life will never be the same.”

Are you interested in training to be a sacristan for Holy Family Cathedral? If so, please contact Monica Conro at 918-582-6247, ext. 105, or mconro@tulsacathedral.com.

Daily Mass Sacristan Dave Iski with Fr. Kastl