ALTAR SERVERS ASSOCIATION

“I will go to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth…”
-Psalm 42

Introduction

Altar Servers at St. Joseph’s Church Howell has a long and proud history. The voluntary involvement from both the boys and girls and their parents has been key to the success.  The need for forming an association of altar servers was felt very deeply and was expressed by many parents. So the meeting on 11/8/2008 is to schedule the servers, to plan activities for them and to encourage and ensure their better co-ordination and participation in the church activities. These few pages are provided to outline the program in order to help the altar server better understand his/her responsibility. Always remember that having the ability to serve at the Altar of God is a gift. Serve each Mass as if it were the first, the last, and the only Mass. Fulfill your responsibilities to the best of your ability while maintaining the attitude of prayer. The Lord is truly present, so give Him your all!

 

Eligibility

Boys and girls who have made their First Communion are eligible and encouraged to join the AAS.

 

   Responsibilities

   Altar Server – Arrive 15 minutes before the mass to the sacristy. In addition, all altar servers

   are responsible for the set-up before Mass ensuring the candles are lit, the sacramentary and

   books are placed, bells and water for the hand wash  with the towel are placed.

 

 

Scheduling

Schedules for the altar servers will be available two months in advance, and it will be published

in the bulletin prior to the week ahead. All altar servers will be assigned to a team and serve as

assigned on the schedule. Generally Holy days and extraordinary Masses or services will be

assigned on a rotating basis. Special occasions may call for volunteers to sign up.

 

 

Attendance and Sign-In

Upon arrival, altar servers should sign in on the sign-in sheet in the sacristy. When substituting for another server, the substitute should sign in for that Mass and note for the server he is replacing. An altar server who cannot make up due to exceptional reasons should find a substitute and if cannot kindly inform the parish office at least by Friday. The sign in sheet will be used to track attendance.  And a prize will be given to the regular attendants at the end of the school year. Re-assignments and/or removal from the schedule may be made due to a continuous lack of commitment in serving as a server. (Of course the server would be cautioned and told how to improve before this happens.)

 

 

Substitution/Replacement

It is the responsibility of all altar servers to find a substitute when they are unable to serve. A replacement can be from

one of the teams not scheduled to serve that particular week or by trading with another individual scheduled to serve

either that week at a different Mass or another week. All altar servers are asked to help out when called upon, if possible.

With everyone’s support, there should be no problem filling the positions at each Mass.

 

Communication

Any concerns,  kindly let the priest in charge know about it.

 

 

 

Best Server’s Award 

This award is given to an altar servers who has consistently performed duties

above and beyond what is normally expected of his or her level, such as serving

daily Mass, posture at mass and diligence in performing duties etc.

 

 

Activities

Throughout the year, the priest in charge may schedule several outside activities,

such as;  trips to an amusement park, altar server’s picnic, etc.

 

 

St. Joseph Catholic Church * 440 E. Washington St., Howell, MI  48843  *  (517) 546-0090

Cross-bearer  This altar server carries the cross during the procession at the beginning of the Mass and mounts the cross on the stand in the sanctuary. At the end of the Mass, he retrieves the cross from the stand and carries it during the recession out of the church. He also assists in the Presentation of the Gifts.

This job should be done by the most experienced server at that Mass.

·You will be responsible for leading the processions & helping the other servers if they need it, in addition to your other duties.

·After you have vested and said your prayers, you and the other servers should go to the back of Church and wait for the prayer.

·After the prayer, you with a server with a candle on either side of you wait at the entrance of the church for the procession to begin. At the signal, the procession begins, walk slowly and deliberately down the aisle. At the foot of the Altar steps, you and the other two servers bow to the Altar, put the processional cross on its stand and go to the chair, with your hands folded and eyes looking slightly down, waiting for Holy Mass to begin.
·Stay in your place and make the responses with the people, sit when the people sit and listen to the readings.
·Stand for the Gospel and make the 3 little signs of the cross on you forehead, mouth and heart.  When the Gospel is over sit and listen to the homily.
· After the final blessing, as soon as the music starts, go to pick up your cross.  When the Priest goes to the Altar go immediately to the floor in front of the Altar and bow as they genuflect.
·Process out walking slowly and deliberately.

Book  

This server takes the book to the main celebrant and holds the

Sacramentary (Roman

Missal).  He or she will also take the book before offertory to the altar and take it again for the prayer after communion.

Set-Up He or she prepares the altar during the Offertory. First, the chalice is placed upon the right side of the altar and unveiled. Next, the Sacramentary is placed upon the left side of the altar. Then goes to receive the gifts and brings to the altar. The altar server assists the priest/deacon during the Offertory by carrying the wine and water cruets (with the handle facing towards the priest/deacon). Next, he carries bowl and another server carries the finger towel to the celebrant to dry his hands.

Bell-ringer  This altar server rings the bells three distinctive times, first at the invocation of the Holy Spirit over the gifts, then at the Elevation of the Body of Christ and at the Elevation of the Blood of Christ.

Altar Server

Positions

Requirements for Altar Servers
At all times please keep a reverent attitude.  You should be respectfully quiet and prayerful so as to set a good example, this is God’s dwelling place! Please pay attention, Holy Mass is the most important thing that happens in the world, you need to be attentive. Outside of Mass (before and after) genuflect to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament each time you pass the tabernacle.

 

Ceremonial Actions for Servers
·Standing:  When you stand your feet are flat on the ground, and your hands are folded flat with your fingers pointing up, unless you are holding or carrying something.
·Walking:  You walk slowly and deliberately, not rushed.  If you are carrying something, hold it properly, if not your hands are folded straight up.
·Sitting:  When you sit both feet are flat on the ground, do not cross you legs.  You place your hands flat on your lap.
·Bowing:  When you bow, both hands are folded straight, unless you are carrying something and bow your head and shoulders toward the object being reverenced.
·Genuflecting:  When you genuflect, both hands are folded straight up, your right knee is bent to the floor and rests for a moment near your left foot.  Keep your back and head straight. 

 

Dress and Appearance

Altar servers wear the alb and appropriate cincture according to the season.

              Clothes

                  Servers should not wear blue jeans, shorts, dun-                  garees, or frayed pants. Care should be taken in                   grooming also. In order to serve worthily at    God’s                   Holy Altar, you must be dressed appropriately.

                                 Remember, it is God’s House, 

                                                     so we want to look our best.

               Shoes

                  Altar servers should never wear sneakers, tennis                   shoes, construction boots, sandals, but preferably                   black or dark brown dress shoes with a dark   sole.                   Please do not wear sandals, “flip-flops” or open-                  toe or open-heel shoes.  (Not only is this too casual                   for the sanctuary, it makes genuflecting  awkward                   and unsightly.)

     HELPFUL HINTS

¨ Do not come to Mass with chewing gum in your mouth.

¨ If you have a cell phone when you serve, turn it off and

        leave it in the sacristy. 

¨ If you are serving one of the later Masses eat something

        before Mass so you do not become weak or faint.

¨  If, while serving, you feel sick go immediately to the sacristy.

¨  Be courteous with the cassocks and surplices, hang them up  appropriately when finished serving.