Clergy Shirt
A clergy shirt, a clerical, is usually a black shirt with white tabs or a white collar. The dog collar, also a clerical, is a circular collar that goes completely around the neck as shown in the picture.

First the priest puts on a cassock. This is a long-sleeved, hoodless, plain black garment made of lightweight material. It is usually ankle-length and fastens up to the neck.

Bishops wear purple cassocks. St. James's choir members wear blue and the servers wear red, both with white surplices.

Surplice and Preaching Scarf
Over the cassock the priest puts on a surplice. This is a loose tunic of white cotton material with wide sleeves. It is worn by choir members and by priests who are in official attendance, but not actually leading Holy Communion. Over the surplice the priest wears a long black scarf.

Hood
When wearing the black scarf, the priest may also wear a hood.

Alb
For Holy Communion the priest wears an alb instead of the surplice over the cassock. This is the oldest liturgical vestment and is a plain, white, ankle-length tunic with long sleeves. Laypersons, like our servers, also wear an alb over their red cassocks at Communion.

Amice
An amice is worn with the alb to hide other clothes. It is a white cloth with two long ribbons that tie around the shoulders.

Girdle
A girdle is worn around the waist, outside the alb. It is a long, rope-like cord with tassled ends and is usually white.