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Mary Queen Of Peace Servers Guild

Altar

Server

Manual

Spring 2018

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Welcome From A Word From Father Tom Mary Queen Of Peace ! ! Altar Servers Guild ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! When!I!was!in!Fifth!Grade,!I!was!trained!to!serve! The!motto!for!our!MQP!Altar!Servers!Guild!is! ! !at!my!parish,!and!I!have!been!privileged!to! Serviendo)Christus)Diligitur,!meaning!Through) serve!at!the!Altar!all!my!life,!then!as!an!Altar! Serving,)We)Love)Christ.!!I!hope!that!by!being!so! Server,!and!now!as!a!!! close!to!the!,!you!will!come!to!know! ! !and!love!Jesus!even!more!than!you!do!now.! As!a!boy,!I!loved!being!close!to!the!Altar! ! This!manual!outlines!your!responsibilities!as!an! !to!the!Priest,!and!to!Jesus.!!And!I!still!love! being!close!to!Jesus!at!the!Mass.! Altar!Server,!but!please!never!forget!that!your! ! most!important!job!is!to!help!the!congregation! I!am!so!happy!that!you!want!to!serve!at!the!Mass,! worship!Jesus!at!Mass.!!You’ll!do!this!best!by! and!I!hope!that!you!grow!closer!to!Jesus!and!grow! showing!reverence!during!Mass!and!paying!close! to!love!Jesus!in!the!Eucharist!more!and!more,! attention!to!the!duties!assigned!to!you.! ! just!as!I!did.!!When!you!serve!Mass,!you!serve! During!your!training!and!your!time!as!an! Jesus,!you!serve!the!priest,!and!you!serve!our! Altar!Server,!please!know!that!we!are!here! Parish!community.!! to!support!you!and!answer!any!questions! ! !that!you!might!have.! !Thank!you!for!your!service!and!your!willingness! ! to!share!your!time!and!your!gifts.! May!God!bless!you,!today!and!always!! I!am!so!happy!to!work!with!you!! ! ! Father John Vien Deacon Tom Mulvihill Altar Servers Guild Coordinator/ ! ! !

Table Of Contents ! ALTAR!SERVER!BASICS ! SUNDAY!MASS!SERVING!INSTRUCTIONS ! Before!Mass ! !

Introductory!Rite! Liturgy!of!the!Word ! Liturgy!of!the!Eucharist ! Eucharistic! ! !Rite ! Concluding!Rite ! After!Mass ! WEEKDAY!MASS!SERVING!IN STRUCTIONS! A!HELPFUL!GLOSSARY!OF!TERMS! ! Introduction

The Holy of the Mass, as the “source and summit” of our faith, is simply the very best thing we do as Catholics. Accordingly, you are an important part of our Parish’s efforts to make the Eucharist the very best it can be. It is also an amazing opportunity for you to grow in your faith AND serve Christ and his . For each one of you, it will bring you closer to Christ, and it should help you think about how you can serve Jesus and the Church now…and throughout your life!

It has been said that, “you can’t love what you don’t know.” As an , you will certainly get to know and understand the Mass better than ever before, and we hope this helps you grow in your love of the Mass as well. As John Paul II famously said to a group of Altar Servers, “You are much more than simple ‘helpers of the parish Priest.’ You are, indeed, servers of Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest.”

It is worth mentioning that the never does anything “willy-nilly,” or without a really good reason. Everything we do at Mass as a Parish Community ---the things we say, the gestures we make, the posture we assume--- it all matters, and it all has meaning. A really good example of this is the simple act of dipping your fingers in the font when you enter Church, and blessing yourself. In doing so, you remind yourself of your Baptism, you remember the won for you by Jesus on the , and you reaffirm your belief in the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and . Imagine that! In this truly simple act that takes just a second or two, you’ve acknowledged and demonstrated some of the most profound Theological realities of our Faith!

Accordingly, we urge you to take on this role responsibly and prayerfully…to pay attention, do your best, and even learn from any mistakes you might make. And…we hope you have FUN being an important part of our parish’s liturgies! Please feel free to ask questions along the way, and know that we ---, , Seminarians, and all of those involved with the Sacred Liturgy--- are here to help you.

ALTAR SERVER BASICS Ü

LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL THROUGHOUT THIS MANUAL ALTAR SERVER FOR HELPFUL HINTS TO BEING A GOOD SERVER

Prayer Before Serving At Mass Father in Heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ, showed his love for You by serving His needy brothers and sisters. I now ask You to give me your help as I serve You and Your people. Open my mouth to praise You in word and song. Open my ears to hear Your word. Open my hands to do Your work well. Take from my heart all evil and distracting thoughts. Help me to know what I should do, and do it well. Help me to serve reverently at Your Holy Altar, and so give You praise and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer After Serving At Mass Lord Jesus Christ, You are the eternal High Priest. You lead all Your in Heaven, and your people on earth, in praising God, our Father. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for letting me come before Your Holy Altar, so that, with Your help, I can praise my Father in Heaven as his Server. Help me to find joy in serving at Your Holy Altar. Help me to find gladness in knowing and doing Your will in all things. Glory to you, Lord Jesus, and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

THE TWO MAIN PRINCIPLES OF SERVING AT THE ALTAR REVERENCE Your primary attitude when serving at the Altar of Christ should be one of supreme reverence. It is a privilege to assist in such close proximity of the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. You will have many duties to perform as a server, but the most important of these is to worship Christ. ATTENTION It’s easy to get distracted when you’re at Mass; it happens to all of us. That’s why it is important to concentrate on each part of the Mass, focusing your attention on your responsibilities and the needs of the Priest.

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR SERVING ASSIGNMENT § Check the schedule so you know when you are assigned to serve. You should receive an e-mail reminder approximately four days in advance. Ü If your family has a “master calendar,” it is a good idea to log all of your serving dates on this when you receive the serving schedule, so you’re sure not to miss an assignment. § If you cannot make a serving assignment, use the scheduling program to request a sub on line OR call another server directly to sub for you. PLEASE don’t be a “no-show.” Ü You might consider pairing up with a friend and being “Sub-Buddies.” When you need a sub, you can call him/her first…and vice versa. § If someone asks you to sub, please be especially willing to help out, if you can. Ü You are always welcome to check in the Vesting in the back of Church before Mass to see if there are enough servers.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SERVING MASS § Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the start of Mass to allow enough time to prepare yourself and help out. Ü Wash your hands and use the rest room to Mass, as needed, to avoid an interruption during Mass. § Because you are preparing for the Mass, the “perfect prayer,” always take time to recite the Prayer Before Serving that is posted near the closet in the Sacristy to ask God’s help in doing your job well and entering fully into the mystery of the Eucharist. § You are among the leaders of the congregation. You are expected to ACTIVELY participate in the Mass: § Sing the hymns (there are on the table near the server chairs) § Recite the responses (including the Gloria and the Creed, which you should know by heart) § Make all of the gestures of the Mass, and be a model of participation § Do not talk in the unless it is truly necessary for the Mass, and then do so quietly and briefly. § It is important to maintain a reverent decorum at Mass. If you yawn or sneeze, please do so discretely and cover your mouth. Obviously…no gum chewing. Ü If you think you might need a tissue or a cough drop during Mass, please have these in your pocket. § If ever you feel faint or ill, please go to the Main Sacristy and sit down. Don’t worry about returning to Mass unless or until you feel fully well. Ü Please be alert. From time to time, the Priest or Deacon may need special assistance and will gesture to you or call you over. Or…you may have inadvertently neglected to do something, in which case they will get your attention and gently remind you. Ü Ask questions before Mass about any duty of which you may be unsure. § At first, wearing an alb during Mass may feel funny. Try your best to get used to it without squirming around or adjusting it unnecessarily.

PROPER DRESS AND APPEARANCE § The Eucharist is most important thing that we do as Catholics. And that is particularly true of those of us who have the privilege of participating as a minister of the Mass. Therefore, it is important that all of us in the Sanctuary are dressed appropriately for Mass, from the Priest and Deacon, to the and Eucharistic Ministers, to the Altar Servers. § Servers are expected to wear dress shoes. Practically speaking, that means: no tennis/athletic shoes, crocs, flip-flops, sandals, Uggs or hiking boots. § Please plan to wear “dress clothes” when you serve. That means appropriate dress slacks for boys, and slacks or a skirt/dress for girls. No shorts, please. Ü As a server, “loud” blouses or shirts tend to be seen through your alb. Please avoid these if you can. Your best choice is a white blouse or shirt, and khaki slacks or skirt. § Your hair should be well groomed. (Try not to look like you just rolled out of bed!)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT POSTURE AND GESTURES

Posture is how you use and position the parts of your body at a particular time. A server has to carry POSTURE out a number of different functions at Mass, and so there are different postures. Keep your eyes focused on the “action” of the Mass. There’s no need to peer around the Church. In Looking short, focus on Jesus: in song, in the readings, in the Eucharist. Walking Slowly, keeping pace with the others, and with your eyes straight ahead. Your body upright (and not leaning against objects), with your hands folded in front of your chest (well above your waist). This is a position of profound respect. Comfortably, but straight up, with both feet firmly on the floor (and, again, not leaning against Standing objects). Don’t “lock” your knees if you become fatigued. Sit down on your chair slowly, carefully, gracefully and in unison. Sit tall and don’t slouch. Place your hands folded on your lap. Sitting Ü A good rule of thumb is this: When you are sitting, your feet should be flat on the floor (don’t cross your legs or stretch them out like you are reclining). Unless you are sitting down or carrying something, your hands are folded (palm to palm) in front of your chest. Hands Ü If you are carrying something in one hand (generally you left hand), hold the other hand flat on your chest over your heart. Gestures are specific movements that you make at Mass that correspond to something ---important GESTURES and sacred--- that you are doing or saying. Deep bows (to the Altar) are made from the waist (to about 45-degrees), made smoothly, slowly and gracefully. Never walk and deep bow at the same time (stop fully and bow). “Deep” Ü Always make a deep bow at the mention of the Incarnation during the Creed (“and by the Power of the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man). Head bows are made slowly and reverently (Remember: You are NOT a bobblehead!), and more than “Head” Bowing a mere nod. Again…Never walk and head bow at the same time (stop fully and bow). Ü Whenever you are carrying something, give a head bow only (not a deep bow). With your hands folded in front of your chest, go down on your right knee (all the way to the ground, Genuflecting please). Keep your body straight, and try not to wobble on the way down or up. Also…please be careful that your alb doesn’t trip you. With your left hand over your heart, trace a cross with your right hand from the top of your forehead to halfway down your chest, then all the way from the left shoulder to the right. Three At the announcement of the , use the thumb of your right hand and slowly and deliberately Small trace a small cross THREE times: first on the forehead, next on the lips, then over the heart. Deep bow first, then receive on the tongue, or with two hands outstretched, one below the other. Make a “” with your hands (to receive the “King of Kings”), consume the Blessed , Receiving Holy then make the Sign of the Cross reverently. Communion Ü Think carefully about what you are doing, who you are receiving and how deeply privileged you are to be loved so much.

SUNDAY MASS SERVING INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE MASS § Sign in to the log book. (Ü This is a good time to wash your hands and use the rest room, if necessary.) § Get vested in your alb, while reciting the Prayer Before Serving. § Light Ambo and Altar candles. § Ask the Priest or Deacon if you can assist with any pre-Mass preparations. § Go to the Vesting Sacristy at least five minutes before Mass begins. § Light the processional candles. § Participate in the prayer before Mass led by the Priest.

PROCESSION § Proceed to the back of Church with the Priest and get in to your position. Begin the procession when instructed to do so. § The Cross Bearer (S1) is in front. § Candle Bearers (S2 and S3) follow about three steps behind, slightly to the sides. Please hold the candles up high, at the same height, and walk at the same pace/in unison. S2 S3 Ü If there are only two servers, carry the candles only. S1 Ü If there is only one server, he/she should carry the . Ü Reminder: Walk slowly and reverently (you are in no hurry). § When you enter the Sanctuary, move slightly to the left (between the Altar and the Ambo). S1 is slightly in front of S2 and S3. § When the others behind you enter the Sanctuary, they will either genuflect or deep bow. At this time, make a reverent head bow. § S1 leads the servers to the rear of the Sanctuary, placing the processional cross in the stand. S2 and S3 place the candles on the plexiglass square on the side of the main altar. § Proceed to your chairs together, then turn and face the altar with your hands folded.

INTRODUCTORY RITE Greeting • Penitential Rite • Gloria • (Introductory Prayer) Ü Participate fully and at all times during the Mass by reciting and/or singing at the appropriate times. Reminder: You are helping to lead the congregation in song and prayer! S1 brings the Roman to the Priest, making a head bow before the Altar, when he says/chants “Let us pray.” When S1 returns to his/her chair, all servers sit down in unison, and fold hands in lap.

Holding The § Bring the book to the Priest, holding it by the sides of the book, flat against your chest. § Rotate the book, tilting it slightly and placing the spine against your chest, so that the Priest can open it to the proper section. § Then hold the bottom of the book (with your fingers cupped over the pages at the bottom), tilted slightly, with the top of the spine against your chest. Ü Hold the book steadily (it’s hard to read when it is moving!). § After the Collect, the Priest will close the book. Ü Do not go back to your seat until the Priest has finished the prayer. Don’t forget the head bow in front of the Altar.

LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading • Responsorial Psalm • Second Reading • Gospel Acclamation () • Gospel • • Profession of Faith (Creed) • (Petitions) § Sit for the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm and the Second Reading. § Stand for the Gospel. § Sit for the Homily. § Stand for the Profession of Faith and General Intercessions. Ü During the Profession of Faith, please make a deep bow when the following is said: “…and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.”

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Presentation of the Gifts • Preparation of the Altar • Prayer over the Gifts • Eucharistic Prayer • § As soon as the General Intercessions are completed, and the Priest and the congregation are seated, the Servers prepare the Altar. ! ! TO THE PEWS !

LEFT CENTER RIGHT Corporal Corporal (School Side) (Rectory Side)

Two Communion Cups Three Communion Priest’s Cups Water

Three Three ITEMS&IN&ITALICS& Communion Cup Communion Cup & Roman Missal Pitcher are$already$in$place$before$ Purificators Purificators Of Wine Mass$begins$(corporals$ and$purificators),$and$are$ Priest’s (from Of Hosts not$the$responsibility$ Purificator Procession) of$the$servers.$ (from Offertory Procession)

Duties of S1 (Cross Bearer): § Take the Roman Missal and put it in the proper place on the Altar. (See diagram above for placement.) § Go to the rear of the Sanctuary, remove the Cross from the Cross stand, and proceed to the of the Sanctuary. Turn to face the Altar, and make a head bow. Then proceed down the main aisle to the Offertory gift table, turn to face the Altar, and wait there until the gifts are ready to be brought up. § When the participants of the Offertory procession are ready (when the Offertory collection is complete, and they are collecting the bread and wine from the Offertory gift table), slowly lead the procession to the Sanctuary. The Priest will be at the entrance of the Sanctuary by this time. Stop briefly at the entrance to the Sanctuary (before you step up in to the Sanctuary), and make a head bow. Then proceed to the rear of the Sanctuary, replace the processional Cross in the stand, and go to your chair.

Duties of S2 and S3 (Candle Bearers): § Go to the and bring 1) the Priest’s chalice, 2) the Communion cups (usually three or five) and 3) the cruet of water to the Altar and put it in the proper places. (See diagram for placement.) § The Deacon (or a Seminarian) may assist you in placing the items on the Altar. When finished, go to your chairs and sit in unison.

§ When the Priest goes to the entrance of the Sanctuary, one of the Cross Bearers will assist him. (If there is no Deacon present, BOTH should assist him.) Go to the entrance of the Sanctuary and stand on the Rectory side of the Priest, hands folded. Take the items given to you by the Priest, turn to the Altar and make a head bow in unison with the Priest, then put the items in the proper place on the Altar. (See diagram for placement.) § Both Servers go to the credence table: one server brings the glass dish, the other the small towel. Go back to the side of the Altar, with your toes almost against the step. § The server with the lavabo dish, should take the water cruet (either off the Altar or directly from the Priest or Deacon). The server with the towel should drape the towel over his/her folded hands. When the Priest approaches you, the server with the water should pour a small amount of water over the Priest’s fingertips (over the lavabo dish). The priest will then take the towel, dry his hands, then return it. Ü If you are the only server, place the towel over your arm, and carry the lavabo dish and the cruet of water as usual. After you have assisted the Priest in washing his hands, take these items back to the credence table, then come back to the Altar to retrieve the empty wine pitcher. § At this point, either the Priest or Deacon will hand the empty wine pitcher to the server with the towel. Ü BOTH servers stay in place until all of this is complete. Then, make a reverent head bow to the Priest, and return the items to the credence table. (The towel goes in the small basket on the ground.) § IF a song is still being sung both servers then return to the chairs and sit in unison. § When the Priest says, “Pray brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours…,” all three servers stand and walk over to the carpeted step at the side of the Altar and stand with hands folded. During The Eucharistic Prayer… § You will stand for the and for the (Holy, Holy, Holy), then you kneel on the step. The Bells Are Rung Three Times… § ONE SHORT RING: At the (when the Priest extends his hands and holds them flat over the bread and wine. (HINT: If there is a Deacon present, he will kneel…and that’s your cue to ring the bells.) § THREE RINGS: When the Priest raises the Sacred Host. § THREE RINGS: When the Priest raises the chalice with the Precious Blood. Ü It might take some practice to get the “three rings” right. They should be three distinct rings (of about two seconds each), with about a one-second pause between them. § Stand for the Our Father, the Sign of Peace and the of God. Then kneel until it is time to receive Holy Communion.

COMMUNION RITE § Receive Holy Communion in accordance with the suggestions in the “Altar Server Basics” section of this manual. Ü If possible, please stand close to the step to receive Holy Communion, in line with the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, so that the Priest or Deacon does not need to come down from the raised area to distribute Holy Communion. § After you have received Holy Communion, please kneel on the carpeted step in silent, personal prayer and Thanksgiving. § When the Priest, Deacon and Extraordinary Ministers leave the Sanctuary to distribute Holy Communion, S1 removes the Roman Missal from the Altar and places it on the servers’ table, and S2 or S3 remove any other items on the Altar (Priest’s chalice, purificators, etc.) and place them on the credence table. Ü Please use one of the missals found near the carpeted area to sing the Communion hymns. § After Holy Communion, the Priest (or Deacon) will consolidate the in to a single and place it in the . At this point, S2 or S3 should remove the Communion from the Altar (the Priest or Deacon may hand them to you directly) and place them on the credence table.

Ü Please do NOT stack the Communion patens, because they may still have small particles of the , and they need to be purified. Ü Look to make sure that all items have been removed from the Altar (except for the three corporals). § After the Priest sits, all three Servers rise from the kneeling position in unison, go to their chairs, and sit in unison.

CONCLUDING RITE § After a period of silence, the Priest will stand and say, “Let us pray.” At this point, S1 takes the Roman Missal to the Priest in the same way he/she did for the Collect (Introductory Prayer). Ü Do not go back to your seat until the Priest has finished the prayer. § Following the (something similar to “The Mass is ended. Go in peace.”), S1 will immediately retrieve the , and S2 and S3 the candles, and position themselves at the entrance of the Sanctuary, facing the Altar. (S1 will be on pew level, one step down from the Sanctuary, while S2 and S3 will be on the Sanctuary level, next to the Communion rail.) § At some point during the recessional hymn, the Priest will move from the chair, and stand in front of the Altar. When the Priest genuflects or bows, the Altar Servers will make a reverent head bow in unison, then turn and process slowly and reverently down the main aisle to the back of Church. § When you reach the back of Church, proceed to the Vesting Sacristy and put the processional Cross and the candles in the proper place (be sure to extinguish the candles.), and go down the side aisle to the Main Sacristy.

AFTER MASS § One of the Servers will extinguish the Ambo and Altar candles. The other servers will clear the items from the credence table as follows: § Place the Priest’s chalice and the Communion cups next to the sink. (Do not rinse.) § Place the Communion patens near these Communion cups. § Empty, rinse and dry the lavabo dish. Refill the water cruet. Place the water cruet, the lavabo dish and a clean small towel (from the top, right drawer in the Main Sacristy) on the cruet table for the next Mass. § Take the used Mass from the basket near the credence table, and place them in the hamper in the Main Sacristy. § Place the collection basket next to the safe in the Main Sacristy. Ü Ask the Priest, Deacon or Seminarian if there are other tasks with which you can assist. § Remove your alb, and hang it in the appropriate place in the closet, while reciting the Prayer After Serving. Ü Make sure you snap the top snap of your alb, so it doesn’t fall on the floor.

WEEKDAY MASS SERVING INSTRUCTIONS The procedures for serving at a Weekday Mass are essentially the same as a Sunday Mass, but a little bit simpler: § There are generally only two Altar Servers, so you will only carry the candles (not Processional Cross) at the beginning of Mass. One of you should assume the S1 duties, and you’ll share the other duties. § After the General Intercessions (Petitions), the Altar Servers will prepare the Altar, just as you would for a Sunday Mass (the Priest’s chalice, Communion cups, and cruet of water), except that the Priest’s chalice and the Communion cup(s) will go on the corporal on the right or Rectory side of the Altar. § At the Offertory, it is not necessary to go down the aisle to lead the procession. One server will meet the Priest at the entrance of the Sanctuary to bring the gifts to the Altar. § The rest of your duties remain the same, straight through the procession to the back of Church. § After Mass, the two servers will share the usual duties: 1) Extinguish the Ambo and Altar candles

2) Clear the credence table 3) Empty, rinse, dry lavabo dish, refill the water cruet, place these two item and a clean towel on the credence table 4) Place used linens in the hamper 5) Ask the Priest if there are others tasks with which you can assist

A HELPFUL GLOSSARY OF TERMS

LITURGICAL , ETC. : Small glass containers that hold water and wine. ALB: A white robe worn by Priests, Deacons and Servers. FUNERAL PALL: The large, white cloth placed on the casket : The outer worn by the Priest (color at funerals. changes according to the liturgical season). LAVABO DISH: The glass dish used to wash the Priest’s : The cord used as a belt to fasten and hold an alb. hands. COPE: A cape-like vestment worn by a Priest or Deacon for : The book of scripture readings. special services. : An ornate, gold metal stand used to hold the : Similar to the chasuble; the dalmatic is the outer consecrated host for . vestment sometimes worn by a Deacon (color changes PALL: A small square, covered in white that is used to according to the liturgical season). The dalmatic has sleeves; cover the chalice. the chasuble does not. PATEN: The saucer-like dish that holds the HUMERAL : A vestment worn over the bread that becomes the Body of Christ. shoulders (usually with a cope) by a Priest or PROCESSIONAL CROSS/CRUCIFIX: The large Deacon during Benediction of the Blessed crucifix carried by a Server at the head of most Sacrament. . MITER: The tall, pointed ‘hat’ worn by a PURIFICATOR: A small cloth used to wipe the . chalice. : A long, narrow band of colored cloth : A small, gold, circular vessel in which the worn by the Priest and Deacon that comes reserved host is kept for carrying the Eucharist down over the neck (in the case of a Priest) or to the sick. over the left shoulder (in the case of a ROMAN MISSAL: The book that contains all Deacon). the prayers, chants, and instructions for the celebration of Mass in the Roman Catholic ITEMS USED DURING LITURGICAL Church. CELEBRATIONS /: A vessel on a long chain : The white linen that covers used to hold the coals that burn the . the entire ‘tabletop’ surface area of the Altar. : An instrument for sprinkling PARTS OF THE CHURCH THE ALTAR BOY holy water. ALTAR: The sacred table upon which the Holy VINCENZO IROLLI BAPTISMAL FONT: The large marble basin (1860 – 1949) Sacrifice of the Mass is offered. used for the Sacrament of Baptism. AMBO: The stand from which the readings are BOAT: A small holder with a lid that holds the grains of proclaimed and the homily is delivered. incense. CREDENCE TABLE: The small table in the sanctuary (near the BOOK OF THE GOSPELS: The large book that contains the door to the Sacristy) that holds the sacred vessels and other Sunday and Holy Day Gospel readings. It is carried in the items used for Mass. procession by the Deacon or a . DEACON’S BENCH: The small bench where the Deacon sits in CHALICE: The cup used by the Priest at Mass that holds the the Sanctuary. wine that becomes the . OFFERTORY GIFT TABLE: The table in the center aisle of the CIBORIUM: A deep metal bowl (with a lid) which holds the Church for the gifts, which are presented by the people to consecrated hosts. the Priest. CORPORAL: A square, white cloth on the Altar. It functions : The large candle, first lit on like a placemat. night at the liturgy, and used during the Easter : A ceremonial staff carried by a bishop that is season; it is also used at baptisms and at funerals. hooked at one end like a shepherd’s crook.

Get to Know Your Servers

If you don’t know their names, you will look to be disinterested in their lives. Therefore, at the various Training Sessions, or even in the first weeks of school, make sure you have a volunteer to take pictures of each Server, so that each year a small photo album can be made up with the names of the Servers included with their picture. The Servers will enjoy looking back at these from time to time, to see their growth, but it will be very helpful to the Chaplain, the Coordinator, and PRESIDER’S the CHAIR : The of chair the where parish the to P riestget sits in the to know names.INCENSE Each: Small year, gtherains new which or make current a sweet smoke when Sanctuary. burned; it is used as a sign of our sweet prayers rising up to SACRISTY: The photo room album where could the clergy be placedsometimes in thevest sacristy for God and as a mark of hono to help the clergy getr for holy things. to know the Mass and where various items used in liturgical celebrations PROCESSION: The organized and orderly process by which young people. are kept. the liturgical ministers advance as a group into the sanctuary SANCTUARY: The elevated area of the church where the in a ceremonial manner. liturgical ministers do their jobs. RECESSION: A type of procession in which the liturgical SANCTUARY Have LAMP: The a Link red-tinted oncandle the next to Parishmain Websiteministers exit the sanctuary in an organized and orderly (“High”) Altar and the tabernacle. When lit, it signifies that fashion. Jesus is present in the tabernacle. TABERNACLEOur: The young “dwelling people place” are for the Eucharist after very comfortable checkingLITURGICAL MINISTERS schedules and looking for the celebration of the Mass. information on The Blessed Sacrament is kept the website. Therefore someALTAR thought SERVER should: A person be given who to wears the Altar an alb, sits in the there to provide Holy Communion for the sick, and for the sanctuary, and assists the Bishop, Priest, or Deacon during private adoration and devotion of the people. Server Guild in the electronic When format we pass of yourliturgica parochiall celebrations website. of the Roman Catholic Church. Nevertheless, it is in front of the tabernacle, we generally genuflect. BISHOP: A man who has received the fullness of the VESTING SACRISTYvery important: The small room to keep in the our back youth of Church safe, so personalSacrament information of should and be continues kept to the Apostles’ where the Priest ordinarily vests, and where the Altar Servers a minimum. mission of leadership and service. gather before the Procession. CLERGY: A term that refers to the collective body of ordained men VARIOUS TERMS (, Priests, and Deacons) who BENEDICTION: The service in which we serve the Church in a specific capacity. worship Jesus under the appearance of OR CROSS BEARER: The bread and a blessing is given with the person who carries the Processional monstrance. Crucifix. : The part of the Mass DEACON: A man ordained to share in in which the priest, using the words of Christ’s mission by assisting Bishops and Jesus, changes bread and wine into the Priests in the service of the Church. He Body and Blood of Christ. This change is undergoes training similar to a Priest, called . and may or may not also be married. : The moment at Mass the EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY Priest raises the host and the chalice COMMUNION: A lay person (not a (separately). (The Altar Server rings the member of the clergy) who distributes bells three times for each.) Holy Communion, either within Mass or EPICESIS: The moment of Mass when by taking it to a sick person. the Priest holds his hands over the LECTOR: A person who proclaims bread and wine, invoking the Holy Spirit Sacred Scripture during Mass. to change them in to the Body and LUCIFER OR CANDLE BEARER: The Blood of Jesus. (The Altar Server rings person who carries a processional the bells a single time.) candle. EUCHARIST: One of the of Initiation; the greatest MASTER OF CEREMONIES (MC): The head Altar Server (often Sacrament, in which, under the appearances of bread and a seminarian) at special celebrations (particularly when a wine, the Lord Jesus is contained, offered, sacrificed, and Bishop is present) who ensures that each Altar Server knows received. The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ himself, 6 his/her role(s) at a given Mass. in his Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. PRIEST: A man who is ordained to preach the Gospel and EXPOSITION – When the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the serve the faithful, especially by celebrating the Eucharist and monstrance on the Altar. the other Sacraments. HOLY OILS: These are used for members of the THURIFER: The person who carries the thurible (or censer) faithful during the celebration of certain sacraments. There and boat of incense. are three Holy Oils: Oil of the Sick (OI), Oil of Catechumens USHER: A person who escorts people to seats in the church. (OC), and Sacred (SC), and the are kept in the The ushers also help with the collection baskets before the (the display shelf near the Marian Altar). Presentation of the Gifts. HOMILY: When the Priest or Deacon speaks to the VIMPS: The Altar Servers who hold the Bishop’s crosier congregation about the readings. (staff) and miter (hat) at certain times during Mass.

Thank you for your service to Jesus, to His Church and to Mary Queen of Peace!

! ! THANK YOU FOR SERVING AT THE LORD’S ALTAR AND FOR MAKING OF THIS SERVICE A REAL SCHOOL OF FAITH AND CHARITY TOWARD YOUR NEIGHBOR

IN THE EUCHARIST, YOU EXPERIENCE THE INTIMATE

CLOSENESS OF JESUS, THE SWEETNESS AND POWER OF HIS PRESENCE. THE CLOSER YOU ARE TO THE ALTAR, THE MORE YOU WILL REMEMBER TO SPEAK WITH JESUS IN DAILY PRAYER; THE MORE YOU WILL BE NOURISHED BY THE WORD AND THE BODY OF THE LORD, THE BETTER ABLE YOU WILL BE TO GO OUT TO OTHERS, BRINGING

THEM WITH ENTHUSIASM THE GIFT

OF JOY THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED.

Mary Queen Of Peace FRANCIS Altar Servers Guild

! TO SERVE AT THE ALTAR

IS TO BE A FRIEND OF CHRIST

THE ALTAR SERVER OCCUPIES A PRIVILEGED PLACE IN THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION. HE WHO SERVES AT MASS EXPERIENCES FIRSTHAND THAT JESUS CHRIST IS PRESENT, ACTIVE AND REAL. YOU ARE MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLE “HELPERS OF THE PARISH PRIEST.” YOU ARE, INDEED, SERVERS

OF JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST.

BE DETERMINED TO CULTIVATE A FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM. YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT IN JESUS YOU HAVE FOUND A TRUE FRIEND FOR LIFE.

SAINT JOHN PAUL II

Mary Queen Of Peace Altar Servers Guild

! YOU ARE APOSTLES OF CHRIST WHEN YOU SERVE AT THE ALTAR

BY YOUR REVERENCE AND PARTICIPATION IN THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS, YOU PROVIDE A POWERFUL WITNESS TO OTHERS.

DON’T ALLOW YOUR FAMILIARITY WITH THE MASS LET IT BECOME A MERE HABIT. REDISCOVER EVERYDAY THAT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT MASS IS SOMETHING GREAT: GOD IS COMING IN OUR MIDST…AND YOU ARE ABLE TO BE CLOSE AND ASSIST, THAT HIS MYSTERY MIGHT TOUCH THE PEOPLE.

Mary Queen Of Peace POPE BENEDICT Altar Servers Guild !