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St James Altar Server Handbook 2019-2020

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St James Altar Server Handbook 2019-2020 St. James Catholic Church Arlington Heights St. James the Less St. John Berchmans Patron Saint of the Parish Patron Saint of Altar Servers 2019 – 2020 Handbook Table of Contents Introduction Welcome ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 What is an Altar Server? ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Why be an Altar Server? ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Altar Server Expectations General Expectations ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Conduct During Mass ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Roles During the Mass .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Vesting Prayers ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Sunday Mass Duties Before Mass/Introductory Rites ............................................................................................................................ 7 Liturgy of the Word ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Liturgy of the Eucharist ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Concluding Rites ................................................................................................................................................. 13 After Mass .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Reference Information Glossary of Terms for Liturgical and Church Items ............................................................................................. 14 Photos of Liturgical and Church Items ................................................................................................................ 15 2 WELCOME! Hello new and experienced altar servers! It is a joy to have you in the St. James Altar Server Program and we have no doubt that you are going to do great. The purpose of this handbook is to: 1. Clearly define the Altar Server responsibilities 2. Identify the expectations regarding Altar Server conduct while serving at the altar 3. Provide an opportunity for you to better understand the actions of the Mass and different elements of the Church environment Thank you for your willingness to serve God and His people in this particular way! Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Ministry Lead seminarian Dan Korenchan, and our Altar Server Coordinator, Sharon Dillon. The Altar Server Prayer We encourage you to pray this prayer in thanksgiving for God’s gift to you to serve at His altar: Loving Father, creator of the universe, you call your people to worship, to be with you and one another at Mass. I thank you for having called me to assist others in their prayer to you. May I be worthy of the trust placed in me, and through my example and service bring others closer to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen. 3 What is an Altar Server? Altar servers play a VERY important role in the Mass. Most importantly, they assist the priest and deacon and congregation during the celebration of the Mass. A boy or girl in this role not only helps the priest lead the people in worship of God, but also sets a good example for the congregation in how to pray during the Mass. The altar server is a: • Server at the altar, in how he/she does whatever is asked to help the Mass go smoothly • Leader for the congregation, in how he/she behaves, prays, and participates Because altar servers are up on the altar, many eyes are on them during the Mass. So, the servers need to be masters of their craft so that the congregation is able to pray the very best they can. They will look to you to help them! Why be an Altar Server? 1) It is a chance to serve the Lord in the Mass, and at the same time, all the parishioners at St. James! 2) The Eucharist is the source of our Catholic faith, and its summit. It is an incredible honor to serve at the altar – and really cool as well! 3) You will learn what we do in the Mass and why we do it. 4) You will be more involved in the Mass, and this will help you get more out of it. 5) It is a chance to make new friends. 6) You become more involved in the St. James Community as one who helps lead our worship, which we do every week as a parish. 7) It will help you discern your vocation in a new, more dynamic way. 4 ALTAR SERVING EXPECTATIONS General Expectations: For each Mass, all altar servers are expected to: 1) Fulfill their scheduled assignments (Sunday/daily Mass, funerals, weddings, etc.) 2) Be at the Church 20 minutes before Mass begins 3) Sign in upon arrival 4) Find a replacement for an assigned Mass if unable to make it 5) Wear "Sunday clothes" at Mass: o Modest, clean, and respectful clothing. Footwear must be suitable for walking around the altar. No t-shirts, jeans, leggings, shorts, sneakers, flip flops or other informal wear. Mass is a special occasion where God will come to be with us, so let’s dress nicely for Him! o Collared shirts must fold the collar down while serving so that it does not extend above the cassock 6) Pay attention and maintain appropriate conduct during Mass, as described in this handbook 7) Actively participate in saying and singing the appropriate responses throughout the Mass 8) Hang up the cassock and surplice after Mass and keep the altar server room organized Conduct during Mass: The altar server must take seriously their role, maintaining a spirit of reverence during the Mass given what the Mass is and what God and His people do during it. Proper Posture Together with the cassock and surplice you are wearing, you will draw more formality and reverence to the Mass and away from yourself by doing the following: • Stand/sit up straight with your head slightly bowed. Stand still, do not shift around. • Place your hands together or folded above the waist. Place them in your lap while seated. • Face whoever is currently speaking – priest, deacon, lector, or cantor. Do not face outwards towards the congregation or it will look awkward. You could also miss your task or miss seeing the priest/deacon asking for your help. • Walk slowly, taking your time. Do not rush. Entering/Leaving the Sanctuary When entering or leaving the sanctuary, we must always be respectful of our Lord in the tabernacle behind the altar. To do so, we perform a genuflection or a head bow. • We genuflect (kneel on our RIGHT knee) when we do not have anything in our hands. • If we have something in our hands, we perform a head bow. o Before and after Mass, we do our genuflection/head bow towards the TABERNACLE. o During Mass, we do our genuflection/head bow towards the ALTAR. 5 Behavior at All Times • Participate in the parts of the Mass along with the people. Don’t be afraid to sing and pray aloud. This will help others in the congregation to do the same. • Pray for your family and friends during the Mass. Ask Jesus to bless them and to give you a heart like his. • Do NOT look all over the place or talk to the other servers unless necessary. Remember that you are there to help the priest lead the people in worship. If the server is moving around unnecessarily or looks uninterested and bored, it looks really bad. • Do NOT laugh when things go wrong or if you make a mistake. It is perfectly OK to make mistakes – even the priest and deacon do sometimes! Just take it in stride and continue on. Roles during the Mass: There are three designations of Altar Servers at each Mass: Server A, Server B, and Server C. Each has unique responsibilities. Server A: • Carries the Processional Cross at the beginning of Mass • Holds the Roman Missal (book) for the Priest during the opening and closing prayers • Carries the Roman Missal to the Altar at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist • Removes the Roman Missal from the Altar at the end of the Liturgy of the Eucharist • Carries the Processional Cross at the end of Mass Servers B and C: • Carry the processional candles at the beginning of Mass • Carry the processional candles during the Gospel Procession • Bring the chalices and ciboria (the gold bowls that hold the Body of Christ) to the altar after the Intercessions • Receives the gifts with the priest and/or deacon during the Preparation of the Altar • Bring the small cruets of water and wine to the Priest or Deacon before consecration • Bring the large bowl, pitcher of water, and small towel to the Priest so he can wash his hands before the consecration • Carry the processional candles at the end of Mass Vesting Prayers: For the cassock: O Lord, the portion of my inheritance and my Chalice, it is You who will restore my inheritance. For the surplice: Invest me, O Lord, as a new person, who was created by God in justice and the holiness of truth. 6 SUNDAY MASS DUTIES
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