ALTAR Server Manual
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ALTAR Server manual Revised June, 2013 Dear Altar Server, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for stepping up and offering your time and talent to serve our parish community as an Altar Server. The Ministry of Altar Server is very important in that, in a very real way, you act as “the hands of the priest,” insuring that we celebrated the sacred liturgy with dignity and reverence. As an Altar Server you are called upon to advance your life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This ministry is rooted in your baptism as a Christian. As such, it also demands that you strive to imitate the Lord in the way that you conduct yourself, both inside and outside the church building. The way that you conduct yourself during the liturgy serves as an example to all who are worshipping at whatever Mass or other service in which you are assisting. I encourage you to support your ministry by doing the following on a regular basis: Attending Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, regardless of whether you are assigned to serve or not. (This is one of our principal duties as baptized Catholic Christians); Continue to develop your relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer. The Mass is the highest form of communal prayer in which we participate as Catholics, yet it must be supported by our personal commitment to not just knowing about God, but knowing God through our personal prayer. Commit yourself to being a person for others through acts of service and charity. Whenever you are given an opportunity to make someone’s life a little easier through volunteering to serve, take advantage of it. As a Christian, that’s one of the principal ways that we live out our faith outside of formal worship. As you grow older and begin considering what you might want to do with your life, I hope that you will give due consideration to serving the Lord in the priesthood or religious life. God calls each of us to a vocation and it’s important that we keep our hearts and minds open as to how God might be calling us to live our lives: as a priest ore consecrated religious, as a married person (and probably as a parent as well), or as a person who is single for the Lord. The more we commit ourselves to developing our relationship with God, the more clearly we might come to discover the Lord’s will for our lives. Again, thank you for using your time and talent to serve God and our parish as an Altar Server. Know how much we appreciate your willingness to be of service. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask the priest who is celebrating the Mass. I look forward to serving with you! Your brother in Christ, Fr. Jim Proffitt Pastor 2 QUALITIES THAT AN ALTAR SERVER SHOULD POSSESS Requirements for Altar Servers: A Candidate should fulfill the following requirements: A strong desire to serve at the altar of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. An active member of St. John the Evangelist parish, regularly attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Have already made their First Holy Communion. Memorize all the prayers, gestures, and responses of the Mass. Characteristics of a Server: A Server should possess the following characteristics: Don’t fumble and stumble. Don’t daydream, yawn or fall asleep. Anticipate what might happen next. Be able to conduct oneself with reverence while serving, so as not to become a distraction for the congregation. Be able to work together in a team. Be able to facilitate the public expression of shared prayer. Scheduling: All servers are expected to serve the liturgies for which they have been scheduled. In the event that you are unable to serve a particular liturgy it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Servers who habitually miss their assigned masses will be removed from the schedule. Schedules are available via email when they are available. If you have conflicts you can request a substitute, but ultimately it is the responsibility of the assigned altar server to see that the Mass is covered. 3 THE BASICS OF SERVING You will receive appropriate training to get you started. During the training you will learn some basic information about the Catholic Church. You will also learn how to carry out specific tasks while serving at the Altar. Posture - Posture is how you are using the parts of your body at a particular time. A server has to carry out a number of different actions at mass, and so there are a number of different postures. Walking - We do a lot of walking everyday and sometimes we get sloppy as we do it. Always walk with your back straight and your head held high. Bowing - When you bow to someone or something at mass, it should be a smooth forward inclining of your head and shoulders. When you bow to the altar, bow deeply at the waist and bring yourself slowly to your full height. When you bow to the priest, bow your head slowly and gracefully. Never walk and bow at the same time: stop before bowing. Genuflecting - When you genuflect, keep your hands in front of your chest while you go down on your right knee. Keep your body straight. Do not wobble back and forth. Be sure that your cassock isn't going to trip you on the way down or up. Kneeling - When you kneel, your body should be upright and your hands should be in front of your chest, well above your waist. If you lean your body forwards or backwards you will hurt the muscles in your back or the ligaments in your knee. Standing - Always stand up straight with both feet firmly on the floor six to eight inches apart. This will give you balance and comfort at the same time. Don't lean against the furniture or against the walls. Sitting - Sit down on your seat carefully and gracefully. Once you are seated, sit tall and don't slouch. Place your hands on your lap or flat on your thighs in a relaxed manner. Hands - Unless you are sitting down or carrying something (like a candle); your hands should be kept joined in front of your chest, palm-to-palm, fingers pointing upward. Keep your hands high up on your chest. If you are carrying something in one hand hold the other hand flat on your chest. Eyes - During Mass always look towards the place where the action is happening: the celebrant’s chair, the ambo or the altar. When a reader is reading the scriptures, you should be looking at the reader. When you are talking to someone you expect that person to look at you the same is true at mass. If there is an MC keep an eye on him. They might want you to do something at any time. General Appearance - Know what you are to do while serving, and when you are to do it. Never fidget. Always do things smoothly. If you make a mistake, never get flustered. 4 BEFORE MASS BEGINS Punctuality and Proper Attire: Altar servers should arrive in the sacristy 15 minutes before the liturgy for which you are assigned. Sign in on the bulletin board in the sacristy and proceed to the Altar Server’s sacristry to get dressed. When serving on the altar, it is never appropriate to wear shorts or sneakers/tennis shoes. For boys, a collared shirt and slacks (no jeans) with dark shoes is appropriate. For girls, the following would be appropriate: blouse and skirt (knee-length) or slacks and sensible shoes (no sneakers/tennis shoes or high heels). No sandals or open-toed shoes, please. Select a cassock and a clean unwrinkled surplice from the server’s closet. The cassock should come down to your shoes: make sure it is not too long or too short. Remember that your shoes are the one item clothing that will always be visible. For that reason, please do not wear tennis shoes/sneakers or other types of casual footgear. Whatever you wear, be sure that it is neat and clean. Shorts and T- shirts are not appropriate attire when serving. Select a clean, unwrinkled white surplice. The surplice should extend to slightly below your waist. Prepare for Mass: When you are vested, return to the sacristy and be sure that everything is set up for Mass. Make sure that all the altar candles are lit. Exercise caution when dealing with the open flame, keeping it away from your clothes as well as from other people. Light the candles that are on/around the altar and by the tabernacle. During the Easter season you may also be called upon to light the Paschal Candle which is the large candle blessed at Easter and used also at baptisms and funerals. Make sure that the following items are set up: o Credence Table - Baptistery Side: tray with chalices and purificators, one cruet with water, and the Roman Missal and stand. o Credence Table - Blessed Mother Side: Celebrant’s chalice, tray with chalices and purificators, two water cruets, lavabo pitcher/bowl/finger towel, empty ciboria if needed. o Tabernacle – Check to insure that the key is in the tabernacle. o Gift Table – Make sure that he ciboria with the bread as well as the wine cruet are there. Prayer: Take a moment to say a Prayer Before Mass. Take a seat on the bench in the sacristy in front of the bulletin board and wait for the celebrant.