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Altar Server
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Altar Servers provide assistance to the clergy during the Sunday Mass. It is one of the most helpful services that young people can perform in the parish and is an opportunity to learn more about the Church and our worship of God. Servers must be in Grade 3 or above and have received First Holy Communion. Scheduling is customizable based on personal availability through the Ministry Scheduler Pro app.
Altar Servers may also serve at Funerals and weddings.
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- Who can be an Altar Server?
- What do altar servers do during the Mass?
- What are the Altar Server Expectations?
- Is altar serving considered a voluntary service?
- How do I sign Up?
- Is being an altar server considered a leadership role?
- What is the time commitment?
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Anyone in Grade 3 or above who has received First Communion can sign up.
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- Carry the cross/candles/incense during the procession into Mass
- Assist the priest by holding the books from which prayers are read
- Assist the priest in receiving the gifts during the offertory
- Assist in preparing the altar for Liturgy
- Assist the priest in the ritual washing of his hands
- Assist in clearing the altar after the Liturgy
- Carry the cross/candles/incense during the recession out of Mass
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Minimum service requirement of 2 Masses per month
You may request a sub if something comes up, but you are expected to schedule another Mass time to maintain the 2 Mass per month minimumServe on Holy Days of Obligation which includes Easter and Christmas (these are Holy Days)
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Yes! As you get older there are several organizations that require volunteer service hours. Altar serving is a wonderful way to support the parishes while also fulfilling these requirements. For example, service hours are required for the Sacrament of Confirmation (grades 9-10), National Honor Society (grades 11-12), and Scouting Rank Advancements (various grades). While not required, volunteer hours can also be highlighted on college and job applications.
The Catholic faith believes strongly in community service, and helping its members. The church also values tradition, and gives a lot of its scholarship money to students who will uphold the Catholic tradition in the future. There are several scholarship opportunities for practicing Catholics, especially those applying to a Catholic middle/high school and/or college. Being an active member of your parish, with a dedicated role, will likely give you a “leg up” over other applicants.
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There are several ways to let us know you are interested in joining us:
- Contact Michelle Goldner by email (chelle1127@msn.com) or text (508-942-9788)
- Submit online form to Join this Ministry
- Tell your Faith Formation teacher
- Tell any member of the clergy
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Although they may not receive a “leadership” title, some of the more senior Altar Servers are considered “leaders” within our ministry. These servers often assist in the recruitment and training of new servers by speaking at Mass, sharing information with prospective newcomers, training the new servers, and/or inviting new servers to shadow them during Mass.
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Altar Servers are expected to arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the Mass. This allows time to put on a robe, assist with altar set up (lighting candles, filling the water pitcher, etc.), and to say a prayer before the procession.
There is no minimum time commitment, however the more often an Altar Server serves the more comfortable they become.
Altar Servers use a scheduling app/website to indicate what mass times they prefer, how often they want to be scheduled, and can even indicate specific dates/times of year they are not available.