SERVING AT THE 9.30

PLEASE NOTE

These notes are intended to provide a framework for the server, whether he/she is young or old, experienced or a novice, and whether or not he/she is licensed to administer the .

GENERAL MATTERS

1. A punctual arrival in the is essential.

2. Although the Sacristan makes every effort to see that the sanctuary is in readiness, the server, in co-operation with the thurifer, should always check the following details -

a) that the furniture is properly placed and that hymn-books are provided for the Celebrant and other clergy who may be present (as well as for the Thurifer and Server);

b) that the and large wine are at the back of the church for the children (or sidespeople) to bring forward. The two are on the – the larger one complete with patten and ’s wafer. Also on the credence table should be the bowl and towel, and the small for wine and water;

c) that the amplifier (controlled from the back of the church) is on and that the microphones at the lectern and in the are functioning;

d) that the missal stand with book (including the day’s propers) is on the ;

e) that the alms dish is near the server’s place;

f) that the correct numbers are displayed on the hymn-board.

If a Thurifer is rostered, he/she should attend to the placing of the brazier and incense on the altar (pulpit side). If no Thurifer is rostered, the server may need to attend to this. Please note that the brazier should not be placed directly on the . Another white cloth (such as a lavabo towel) should be placed under the brazier.

3. It is the duty of the server (or the thurifer, if there be no server) to light the altar candles and the candles at the lectern and at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. During the Easter Season, the in the sanctuary is lit. If there is a Baptism, the portable stand for the Paschal Candle is placed

______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 1 at the font and the candle lit.

Candles on the far side of the sanctuary (the right side looking up from the church) are always lit first and extinguished last.

The server may enlist the aid of one or more of the children in lighting the candles.

4. In the sanctuary, the following general rules of conduct apply -

- Back shoes are to be worn.

- Unless some task is being performed, the hands are joined, with right thumb over left.

- When performing a task with one hand (e.g., ringing the bell) the other hand should be placed on the breast.

- Movements in the sanctuary should never be sloppy - nor should they be made with pseudo-military precision. Generally speaking, movements should be made squarely.

- The head is always bowed slightly (not an exaggerated movement) when the name of Jesus is said.

- Servers always allow the Priest to sit before they do so themselves.

- When seated, the hands are placed flat on the knees.

- Objects are always passed with the right hand.

- Servers should keep their eyes to the front and not gaze at the congregation.

- The Sign of the is made at the traditional places, and in the way. This will be discussed at rehearsals.

BEFORE MASS

As 9.30 approaches, all assemble in the sacristy. The server (or thurifer, if there be no server) is responsible for seeing that the sanctuary lights have been switched on at the 5-minute bell.

The Celebrant will offer some prayers, and may use the following versicles, to which the responses should be made aloud.

______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 2 V. I shall go to the altar of God. R. To God, my joy and my delight.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who has made heaven and earth.

V. Let us proceed in peace. R. In the name + of Christ. Amen.

SERVING THE MASS

The thurifer leads in, followed by the server. All stand in their appointed positions (demonstrated at rehearsal) and genuflect together. The server goes directly to his/her place beside the credence table.

(A reminder that the head is bowed at the traditional places in the Gloria in Excelsis and that the is made at the end of the Gloria – see the appendix to these notes.)

The server remains standing until the First Reading, for which he/she sits.

The server stands after the Second Reading - either when the Celebrant stands or when the thurifer enters - whichever comes first. The server faces the lectern for the reading of the , making the Sign of the Cross at the correct time during the introduction. (The correct time is while the words “Glory to You ...” are being said, not before).

The Sign of the Cross is usually made at the beginning of the , after which the server sits. It is common for the Sign of the Cross to be made also at the end of the sermon, after which the server stands promptly (unless the celebrant chooses to observe a period of silent reflection).

Bows are made at the traditional places during the Creed and the Sign of the Cross is made at the correct time at the end of the Creed (see the appendix).

The Greeting of Peace is extended to the server by the Celebrant, or an Assistant Priest/. A bow is given before and after the Greeting, the form of which will be demonstrated at rehearsal. The correct response is “And also with you”.

The Greeting of Peace is extended to the server at his/her place beside the credence table. It is not a casual greeting and is given and received in the formal manner, as per demonstration. The server does not leave his/her place beside the credence table to exchange a greeting with others in the sanctuary.

At the (immediately after the Greeting of Peace) the server assists the Celebrant or another priest/deacon to prepare the vessels. ______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 3

The server may assist in carrying the sacred vessels to the altar, if he/she is licensed to administer the chalice; otherwise he/she stands at the credence table, facing inwards, until all vessels have been taken to the altar. Because of lack of room on the altar itself, the priest/deacon may bring the burse and chalice back to the credence table.

As soon as the priest/deacon has taken all the vessels to the altar, the server moves forward with the water cruet in the right hand. Priest and server bow to each other. The wine cruet, which the priest has received from the children, is used to fill the chalices and given to the server (left hand). Some clergy will expect the water cruet to be held aloft for a blessing before it is passed to the priest. The wine cruet is then transferred to the right hand so that the water can be received with the left. Priest and server exchange bows.

While this has been going on, the collection has been taken up. When the server judges that the sidespeople are ready to bring the collection forward, he/she takes the alms dish, bows before the altar, and the alms at the bottom step. When the alms have been transferred to the large dish, the server turns, bows, and goes to the end of the altar for the Celebrant to bless the alms.

After the alms have been blessed, the server takes them back to his/her place and returns to the altar for the Lavabo. This little ceremony should begin and end with an exchange of bows. The bowl is held in the left hand, with the towel draped over the left forearm. This leaves the right hand free to pour water over the priest’s fingers.

The server remains standing during the and the . He/she kneels after making the Sign of the Cross at the beginning of the Benedictus – “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. The bell is rung as soon as the words “ in the highest” have been said or sung.

The server remains kneeling throughout the Thanksgiving, ringing the bell as indicated in the appendix to these notes.

The bell is again rung to signal to the congregation that it is time to come forward for communion. The cue for this is when the Celebrant, having partaken of the Host, is about to drink from the chalice. The server kneels in his/her place to receive communion or to be blessed. It is customary to make the Sign of the Cross before receiving each element.

The server stands during the communion of the people (unless he/she has been licensed to administer the chalice and has been asked to assist).

After the Communion, if the Celebrant chooses to sit in reflection for a few moments at this time, the server may sit also.

As soon as the Celebrant returns to the altar, the server takes the wine (right hand) and water (left hand) cruets to the altar for the ablutions - the “washing up”.

______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 4 The Priest and server exchange bows before and after the Ablutions.

The traditional way of performing the Ablutions is for the Celebrant to hold out the chalice, into which the server pours a very small amount of wine. The Celebrant consumes this wine, then holds out the chalice again with his fingers across its mouth. The server then pours a small amount of wine and a little water over the Celebrant’s fingers and into the chalice. The Celebrant may then require a little water to be poured onto the .

Nowadays, many require only water for the Ablutions, but the server must go to the altar “ready for anything” with both cruets. Priests will always help and prompt the novice server in this matter.

After the Ablutions, the server returns to his/her place. If the burse and chalice veil have been left at the credence table, the server takes them and places them on the altar, being careful to avoid the brazier of hot coals.

The server does not carry the chalices back to the credence table unless he/she is licensed to administer the chalice. This function is performed by the priest or deacon. If it is convenient, either the thurifer or the server may take the ciborium from the altar (after it has been cleansed) and return it to the credence table.

The server stands in his/her place for the final prayers, notices, recognition of the children’s work and the blessing (which is received with a Sign of the Cross). After the blessing, he/she follows the Thurifer to the appointed place for a .

In the recessional, the server follows the thurifer (i.e., they do not walk as a pair).

At the west door, the Celebrant will dismiss the sanctuary party with prayer, usually ending with "May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, ". It is our practice for the servers to complete the prayer by saying "and rise in glory."

The thurifer and/or the server may assist the priest to remove his and take them back to the sacristy.

The server must assist with the clearing of the sanctuary in readiness for the next Mass. This includes extinguishing candles, clearing the credence table, moving furniture, moving the altar to the repository and putting various items away. Water from the lavabo is poured down the , rather than down the sink.

Reminders

In and , the Gloria in Excelsis is omitted and black cassocks are worn.

When entering, leaving or crossing the sanctuary (other then during the 9.30 Mass itself) the proper reverence to the High Altar is a genuflection, ______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 5 not a bow. Some of us are getting a bit creaky around the knees, but some semblance, at least, of a genuflection should be made.

Note: The rules which have been made re the handling of the sacred vessels (only by those licensed to administer the chalice) are, in part, to make the task less complicated (and less hazardous) when young people are serving.

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Appendix to Notes on Serving at the 9.30 Mass

The Gloria in Excelsis, with cues marked for the head and making the Sign of the Cross.

(N.B. The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted in Advent and Lent)

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, , you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory + of God the Father. Amen.

The , with cues marked for bowing the head and making the Sign of the Cross.

We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary ______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 7 and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life + of the world to come. Amen.

Thanksgiving 3, with cues for bowing the head and ringing of the sacring bell (N.B. – The Celebrant may an use alternative version of the Thanksgiving, but the same basic principles apply)

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, it is our duty, our joy and our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ your only Son our Lord.

For he is the true high priest, who has freed us from our sins and made us a royal priesthood to serve you, our God and Father.

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we ______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 8 proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed + is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

(RING BELL)

Holy and gracious God, all creation rightly gives you praise. All life, all holiness, comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, whom you sent to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

Hear us, merciful Lord; through Christ accept our sacrifice of praise; and, by the power of your Word and Holy Spirit, sanctify this bread and wine, that we who share in this holy sacrament may be partakers of Christ's body and blood.

Who, when his hour had come, on the night before he went up to the cross to make full atonement for the sins of the whole world, offering once for all his one sacrifice of himself, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' (RING BELL AS THE PRIEST ELEVATES THE CONSECRATED HOST)

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' (RING BELL AS THE PRIEST ELEVATES THE CHALICE)

Let us proclaim : Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Therefore, in obedience to his command, we commemorate and celebrate his saving passion and death, his mighty resurrection and ascension into heaven and we eagerly await his coming again in glory.

We thank you that by your grace alone you have accepted us in Christ; and here we offer you a spiritual sacrifice, holy and acceptable in your sight. Through Christ, receive this our duty and service, and grant that we who eat and drink these holy gifts may, by your Holy Spirit, be one body in Christ, and serve you in unity and peace. In your grace and mercy, bring us to the joy of your eternal kingdom with all the company of the redeemed. May we praise you in union with them, and give you glory through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father ______serv_930_v4_120902.doc Page 9 eternal, in songs of never-ending praise: (RING BELL)

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

Note:

There is one further ringing of the bell (as indicated in the notes) to invite the people to come forward for Communion. This happens when the priest takes his own communion from the chalice.

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