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Altar servers play an important role in our parish by assisting the priest during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical ceremonies. They help with tasks such as carrying the cross, holding the book of prayers, and helping with preparing the altar. Beyond their practical contributions, altar servers symbolize the participation of the faithful in the liturgy and foster a spirit of reverence and service. Their role can also inspire a deeper connection to faith, especially for young people, as they actively engage in the Church’s sacred traditions.
Every parish is enriched through the dedication and service of its altar servers. It is a very important responsibility and requires sincere commitment. Altar servers are expected to do the following:- To be at the church 15 minutes before Mass begins.
- To fulfill their assigned times to serve.
- To find their own replacement at Mass if they cannot make it.
- To follow the following dress code:
- To wear a nice shirt and pants with dress shoes (for boys), to wear a nice blouse, paired with pants or an appropriate length skirt, or to wear an appropriate length dress, with dress shoes (for girls).
- To avoid wearing shorts, gym clothes, sneakers, sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, or high heels.
- To hang up their vestments neatly after Mass.
- To pay attention and be reverent during Mass.
The following are the general tasks that altar servers perform during Mass:
- Before Mass begins
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Put on cassocks
- Light the candles
- Fill the water and wine cruets
- Put ciboria and wine cruet on the table for the offertory
- Ring the bell five minutes before Mass
- Introductory Rites,
- Put away the cross and candles in their stand immediately and then go to your seats
- Bring the missal over to the priest for the Collect
- Liturgy of the Word
- Be reverently seated or standing and listening
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Put the missal on the altar stand during the offertory
- When receiving the gifts, put the ciborium directly on the corporal
- Bell at the epiclesis, bell at the elevations
- Communion Rite
- Not using the patens anymore
- After receiving communion, one server gets the missal from the altar and then all sit reverently while communion is distributed
- Help Father purify the vessels
- Bring missal over for the Prayer after Communion
- After Mass
- Clear the altar