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Instructions for Servers

Contents Introduction ...... 3 Instructions for An Explanation of the ...... 3 Ministers of the Mass ...... 4 Altar Servers The of the Mass ...... 5 Introductory Rites ...... 5 Liturgy of the Word ...... 5 Liturgy of the Eucharist ...... 6 Concluding Rite ...... 6 Procedure for Regular Liturgy ...... 7 Before Mass ...... 7 Introductory Rite Procedures...... 8 Liturgy of the Word Procedures ...... 8 Liturgy of the Eucharist Procedures ...... 9 Concluding Rite Procedures ...... 10 After Mass ...... 10 St. Mary of the Assumption Glossary of Terms ...... 11 Other Guidelines ...... 15 Roman Pylesville, Maryland 2

Introduction Ministers of the Mass This pamphlet provides background that an needs to serve with confidence. Because this ministry is so important to the success of the community’s liturgy, an altar server be responsible and Celebrant: The who presides over the celebration. reliable with a deep sense of the honor such service brings. : An ordained man, either a permanent deacon or a deacon Who can be an altar server at St. Mary’s? Any young person in fourth studying to be a priest (transitional deacon). The deacon proclaims the grade or older who is a member of the parish can become an altar , preaches, prepares the altar and the gifts and helps minister at server. . The deacon also performs baptisms, weddings and funeral services. An Explanation of the Mass : The people who read the first two readings. The Mass is the public worship of our parish community. It is the celebration that nourishes us and gives us the strength we need to live Altar Servers: Those who minister at Mass in the sanctuary. out our lives in a Christian way. Celebration of Mass together is the most important thing we can do as a community. Our celebration of Eucharistic Ministers: The lay ministers who help distribute the Eucharist continues the sacrifice of Jesus. By sharing the Body and consecrated bread and wine, Christ’s Body and Blood. , we are strengthened in our relationships with Jesus and : The person who leads the community in song. with each other. Music Director: The person responsible for the music program in the The liturgy is divided into two parts: 1) the Liturgy of the Word, and 2) parish; frequently also the director. the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the Word we hear God speaking to us through the readings, and we are instructed by the Musicians: Those who play the organ, piano or guitar, or sing to help content of the . lead the congregation in song.

The Liturgy of the Word ends with the Prayer of the Faithful. The Ushers: Ushers serve to keep things running smoothly before, during Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the . During this time of and after Mass. They greet and seat people, take up the collection, the Mass, the priest consecrates the bread and wine into the body and distribute bulletins and take care of other details. blood of Jesus. This is a central mystery of faith and the highlight of our celebration together. By receiving communion, we acknowledge our Sacristans: Those whose ministry involves setting up the church for belief and seek a closer union with Jesus. liturgies, providing all needed articles and cleaning up after Mass.

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The Sequence of the Mass Homily: Also called a . The priest or deacon preaches about the scripture readings of the day. Introductory Rites Entrance : On weekend liturgies, this begins from the back Profession of Faith: The time when we recite the Nicene or Apostles’ of the church. Those participating are ordinarily the priest, deacon or Creed (a summary of our faith) together. lector, and altar servers. : Also called the Prayer of the Faithful. The Greeting: The welcome and call to prayer, usually done by the deacon or lector brings the needs and wants of the congregation before celebrant. God.

Penitential Rite: A time when the community recognizes sinful areas in Liturgy of the Eucharist their lives and asks for forgiveness. Preparation of the Gifts: Also called The Offertory. At this time, the collection, the offerings of the people is taken up. Some of the Gloria: A great hymn of praise. It is either sung or said on all Sundays members of the community bring forth the bread, wine and collection. and on great feasts except during and . Eucharistic Prayer: The heart of the Eucharist. It includes a , the Opening Prayer: Prepares us for the beginning of the Liturgy of the Holy, Holy, Holy, the Consecration, and the Great Word. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word Communion Rite: This begins with the Our Father, and ends with the First Reading: Read by the lector and usually taken from the Old Prayer after Communion. Testament. Concluding Rite Responsorial Psalm: A hymn from the Book of either sung by Closing Blessing: The priest gives God’s blessing to the people. the cantor or read by the lector. : The priest or deacon announces that the Mass is over and Second Reading: Read by the lector, and taken from the New tells the people to love and serve the Lord. Testament, other than the Gospels. There is no second reading during weekday Mass. Closing Procession: Altar servers, lector/deacon and priest leave the church by way of the center aisle. Gospel Acclamation: The “.” During Lent, another phrase is substituted for the Alleluia.

Gospel: Read by the priest or deacon. It is taken from one of the four gospels.

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Introductory Rite Procedures Procedure for Regular Sunday Liturgy Begin the procession with the Processional , followed by two altar servers with hands folded prayerfully, moving slowly and keeping one Before Mass pew between the Processional Cross and altar servers. Followed by the ALWAYS ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES EARLY deacon carrying the “Book of the Gospels” and then the priest.

Always dress appropriately and modestly to serve the “KING OF KINGS” In front of the altar, separate making enough room for all ministers (deacon, and priest) to stand in a straight line. All bow together. Sign-in on the book in the for the Mass you are serving. Left altar server proceeds to your chair and remains standing. Vest in a robe and cross. The robe should hang down to the top of your shoes. Processional Cross is returned to its stand and the server bows to Our Lord in the tabernacle and joins the left altar server in front of a chair Remember you are part of a team. Help the sacristan if needed. Such and remains standing. as:

 Are the candles lit at the tabernacle and ambo? Liturgy of the Word Procedures  Are hosts and wine on the offertory table at the back of church? Sit during the First Reading, the psalm, and Second Reading. Stand during the Gospel Acclamation. Make the thrice cross when the Check on the for priest or deacon announces “A reading from the Gospel of ….” Remain  the priest’s , standing through the Gospel and be seated for the homily. Listen, pay  the water in a small attention to the priest at all times and never talk in the sanctuary. pitcher, After the homily, stand for the Profession of Faith and the Prayer of the  the hand washing set Faithful. including;  the ablution bowl, pitcher, & towel,  two small , and  two purificators.

Quietly line up in the back of church.

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Liturgy of the Eucharist Procedures communion. Bow before receiving the Eucharist and again before When the ushers begin to take up the collection, altar servers prepare receiving the Precious Blood. After receiving communion, return to your the altar. seat and kneel in private prayer.

One server lights the candles at the altar and removes the bookstand. After communion, an altar server may need to bring the priest the small water pitcher for him to wash his chalice and return it to the credence One server extinguishes the candles at the ambo. table.

One or two servers bring the priest’s chalice, the small water pitcher, After the Tabernacle doors are closed, altar servers may sit. the two small chalices and the two purificators to the altar. Concluding Rite Procedures When the priest stands to receive the gifts, altar servers move to each One server bows to Our Lord in the Tabernacle and stands next to the side of the priest to assist. If you receive the bread or the wine, Processional Cross. carefully with two hands, place them on the altar. If you receive the collection bag, place it on the floor next to the altar. During the closing hymn, when the priest walks to the front of the altar, the altar servers join him, and the lector and the deacon and all bow After the priest mixes the water and the wine, an altar server should together. remove the small water pitcher from the altar. Begin the recessional procession with the Processional Cross, followed Two altar servers assist in washing the priest’s hands. One server brings by two altar servers with hands folded prayerfully, moving slowly and the large pitcher and ablution bowl. The other server brings the towel. keeping one pew between the Processional Cross and altar servers. The The two altar servers approach the priest together and return together. deacon and the celebrant follow.

If there is only one server, drape the towel over the arm carrying the After Mass bowl. Pour water over the priest’s hands. He will take the towel from Return to the sacristy via the outside of church. your arm and return it after drying his hands. Keep talking to a minimum. Sit if the congregation is still sitting. Remain stand when returning from washing the priest’s hands. Kneel after the Holy, Holy, Holy. Stand after Keep voices low. the Great Amen. Extinguish candles if needed. Ring the hand bell three times at the of the Host at the consecration; three times at the elevation of the chalice. Carefully hang up your robe on the hanger. .

Give and receive the sign of peace with fellow altar servers. When the Remember, it is an honor and pleasure to serve the Lord, so it is good to Eucharistic ministers come into the sanctuary, join them for smile.

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If you cannot serve on your assigned date, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Glossary of Terms If you are not assigned to serve, please be available and volunteer to : The serve if more altar servers are needed for Mass. : The first outer vestment that a NOTES worn by the priest. priest or deacon It looks similar to a puts on as he poncho. prepares to celebrate the liturgy. It is white and looks like Ciboria: a robe. Containers for extra consecrated Boat: The container hosts. They are that holds the reserved in the . tabernacle. Book of the Gospels: The book Cincture: The rope- of readings like belt that the of the priest, deacon and Gospels from servers tie around the New their . Testament used during the Liturgy of the Word. : The while Censor: The linen container that napkin on contains the lit which the vessels of bread and charcoal into wine are placed during the which the incense is placed. Mass. Chalice: The cup-like Credence Table: The table on vessel that holds the which the wine, water, finger Precious Blood during bowl and towel are the liturgy. placed. 11

Dalmatic: The Presider’s Chair: Sanctuary: The area outer vestment The chair at which surrounding the altar where the with sleeves worn : the main liturgy is celebrated. by the deacon. The book of celebrant sits readings : The light kept during the liturgy. from burning near the tabernacle to scripture used during the liturgy Processional indicate the presence of Christ Finger of the Word. Cross: The in the . Towel: The cross used to towel used Monstrance: The lead Sacristy: The by the sacred vessel used at room where priest to dry to display the Mass. and his hands after he washes Blessed Sacrament. other equipment them. or for Mass is kept. Funeral Pall: Ambo: The large white Pall: The The place : The piece of fabric cardboard square from narrow vestment used to cover covered with which the worn by the priest the casket during the funeral. cloth used to liturgy of the Word is and deacon. cover the top of the chalice. proclaimed. Bucket: The bucket Tabernacle: The locked containing the : The Purificator: compartment in the sanctuary holy water used large white candle used The napkin where the Blessed Sacrament is for blessings at at funerals, baptisms used by the reserved. weddings, funerals and during priest to wipe

and the penitential Season. the chalice after communion rite of certain liturgies. and by the Eucharistic Minister : The to wipe the cup during the Lectern: The plate on distribution of the Precious stand used by the which the Blood. cantor or hosts are musician to hold placed during the Mass. : The large book music. of prayers used by the celebrant at Mass.

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Other Guidelines

1. Every attempt will be made in scheduling to accommodate your preference in Mass times. There may, however, be times when these preferences cannot be met.

2. If you discover that you cannot get to church for a Mass for which you are scheduled, it is your responsibility to find a replacement from the list of altar servers. If you cannot find a replacement, even at the last minute, call the rectory and let Father know that you will not be there. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

3. Remember it is your responsibility to get to Mass at least 15 minutes early.

4. If you have any suggestions on how to do things more easily or efficiently, do not hesitate to bring them up to Father

5. A final thought – It is a wonderful thing that you serve the community in this way. In doing this you help the entire congregation celebrate the Mass more reverently. Your energy and enthusiasm can inspire everyone.

Prepared: February 2020

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