The Guardian Ministry: Ensuring Safety and Peace of Mind

We have all been in those situations before, the ones in which you could just feel that something just was not right. Maybe someone was acting or speaking in a way that concerned you, or perhaps you just had a sense of worry that you could not explain. Regardless of the reason, that kind of uneasiness makes it difficult to focus on almost anything else. And it certainly is not conducive to being present and open to God, in prayer.

Here at St. Michael Catholic Church, one of our top priorities is ensuring that, when our parishioners come to pray and worship God at Mass, that they can do so in a safe and peaceful environment. Thanks to those who serve in our Guardian Ministry, this is possible.

“The purpose of the Guardian Ministry is to protect the church facilities and parishioners,” says Director of Liturgy Sarah Messecar, who also serves as our parish liaison to the Diocesan Director of Security.

“The Guardian Ministry is a group of volunteers who serve our parish community in a variety of different ways. Doctors and nurses serve as part of our medical team, available to assist in the case of a medical event, until emergency services arrive. Members of our Armed Guardians are parishioners who go through extensive training, background checks, and continued weekly education, and conceal carry at weekend Masses. Some of our ushers and greeters are also trained specifically to assist in the case of an emergency.”

Several years ago, at the bishop’s initiative, the parish underwent a security assessment, which was then followed by hiring a professional security company to be on site during weekend Masses. Currently, the Guardian Ministry — specifically the Armed Guardians — works in conjunction with our security company, ushers, and greeters.

“Our first line of defense at St. Michael is our security company, second line of security is Armed Guardians, and third is our ushers,” Sarah says.

The Armed Guardians are stationed discreetly around the property and in the Narthex and Church itself.

“We want this to be a friendly ministry — we don’t want people to be offset by the fact that there are guns in the church,” Sarah says. “Our goal is to have men and women outside in the parking lot greeting people as they come in, also observing, looking for danger, and alerting us before it gets into the church.”

Medical professionals, as well as those with a conceal carry license are needed for this ministry. Armed Guardians are required to provide their own insurance, have a gun, attend several training events, participate in monthly shooting practice, go through extensive social and criminal background checks, and attend regular training at the parish. Those with police and military experience are encouraged to consider serving in this way.

“We’re looking for people who are cool-headed who have a lot of common sense, who have a medical background, military background, police background,” Sarah says. “We’re looking for people who have a special skill set.”

The role of the Guardian Ministry is not only protection, but also service and assistance in whatever needs arise.

“Our focus is on keeping our parishioners safe and avoiding force by catching anything ahead of time,” Sarah says.

At the heart of this ministry is a desire to create an environment where people can fully enter prayer, at Mass.

“I think the most important thing is people won’t have to look over their shoulder, because that’s our job,” Sarah says. “We’re watching their back so they can pray — we’re there so they can put all their thoughts into their prayer and not worry.”

If you would like more information on our Guardian Ministry or to find out how you can become involved, either as a medical professional or an Armed Guardian, please contact Director of Liturgy Sarah Messecar at 817.510.2713 or smessecar@smcchurch.org.