The Altar Server Ministry at St. Mary’s provides an opportunity for parish youth to be active participants in the weekly Mass. Servers aid the presider throughout the Mass by bearing cross and candles, preparing holy objects and vessels, presenting books, and helping the presider to glorify and sanctify the celebration. This opportunity allows youth to develop a deeper appreciation for the ceremony and ritual that is such an anchor to our Catholic faith.
All parishioners–both boys and girls– after receiving their First Holy Communion are invited to participate in the Ministry. Training and visibility make altar servers role models for the entire congregation, so servers are well prepared in the parts of the Liturgy, the Order of the Mass, proper decorum, and care for the sacred articles and garments.
Altar servers usually are assigned to serve at the Mass their family regularly attends.
Schedule
The Altar Server schedule is drafted every month. Requests can be emailed to [email protected]
Application & Training
Altar Server applications – available online and in the parish office; accepted year-round
Training – offered annually (generally in summer)
Session #1: holy objects & vessels, decorum, expectations and places
Session #2: practicing the various server roles
New servers are welcome all year round.
2024 Training
April
June
Server Recognition
St. Mary’s appreciates its Altar Servers! Servers are recognized in multiple ways:
Annual Server Recognition Mass – the Bishop preside over a special Mass held just to recognize altar servers across the Diocese.
Birthdays of the Month – Their names are featured in the parish bulletin once a month.
Server of the Year – the ‘best of the best,’ selected from among all the Servers, is recognized personally by the Bishop at the Annual Mass.
Appreciation Fieldtrip–the parish hosts an annual thank you fieldtrip.
Contact:
deacon Tony Mercado
714.525.2500
