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Becoming
an Altar Server is not only an honor but an
important part in the offering of the Mass.
You will be assisting the priest in the celebration
of the Eucharist, which is the cornerstone of
your faith.
If you are interested in becoming
an Altar Server, please discuss it first with
your parent(s) or guardian(s), as you will be
making a serious commitment. It is no different
than being on the basket-ball team, or any other
hobby or activity that you participate in. You
will be able to indicate your preferred Mass
time and any dates that you are unavailable.
If you decide you would like to become an Altar
Server, please fill out the attached form and
drop it off at the Parish Office or in the Collection
Basket at Church.
We will contact you with the
date for Altar Server Training when it is decided.
If you have any questions, please contact
Mrs.
Cindy Hope, Altar Server Ministry, at 708-474-2914.
Guidelines for
Altar Servers
Thank you for your willingness to serve! Our
parish is deeply grateful for your commitment
to service at the altar. Your service and dedication
are important to our parish. Your role, through
your actions and conduct, is to bring the assembly
to a fuller understanding of the liturgy and
a greater love for God. You have a place of
honor at Mass because you assist the priest
in many ways. As we are in the presence of Jesus
our king, it is both wise and necessary for
you to perform all assigned duties with attention,
dignity, and reverence.
What is an Altar
Server?
- Through Baptism, we are all called to be
a "holy people and royal priesthood"
(I Peter 2:9), who's right and privilege it
is to participate in Christ's own ministry.
How we do so vary from person to person, but
the most important way is "conscious,
active, and fruitful participation in the
mystery of the Eucharist" (GIRM, Intro.
5). Since the Eucharist is the "action
of the whole Church" (GIRM, Intro. 5),
all of us have an "individual right and
duty to contribute" (GIRM, 58). Some
are called to do so in a more particular way
through liturgical ministries, such as Altar
Server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion,
or Lector.
- Since the Eucharist is the most important
thing we do as Catholic Christians, the importance
of this ministry cannot be over?emphasized.
It is an honor and privilege to serve at the
altar, assisting the priest in his responsibilities
of leading the people in prayer.
- An Altar Server is a part of Christ's own
body, the church, and we work in harmony to
glorify God through our service.
- Altar Servers may be called upon to serve
in any number of situations. Specifically
envision the Sunday Mass, they also may serve
at weekday Mass celebrations, funeral liturgies,
Eucharistic Adoration, or any other public
worship service in the church.
Who May Serve?
At St Ann Parish, any young person who has received
their first holy communion are eligible to serve.
We encourage each young lady and gentleman to
continue serving through high school, and even
to come back during their college breaks. All
candidates must attend a training session and
have the commitment and ability to perform this
role with reverence.
Although the duties of the altar server are
many and varied, the most important responsibility
of the altar server during Mass is to pray!
Before one may serve at the altar, he or she:
- Must have received first holy communion
- Have a strong desire to serve the Lord
- Must be committed to their fellow servers
- Attend practices and meetings that are scheduled.
An Altar
Server's Prayer
Open my mouth, O Lord, to bless
your Holy Name.
Cleanse my heart from all evil and distracting
thoughts.
Enlighten my understanding and inflame my will
that I may serve more worthily at your Holy
Altar.
O Mary, Mother of Christ the High Priest, obtain
for me
the most important grace of knowing my vocation
in life.
Grant me a true spirit of faith and humble obedience
So that I may ever behold the priest as a representative
of God
and willingly follow him in
The Way, The Truth, and the Life of Christ.
Amen.
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