Gina Transki, Coordinator
[email protected]
"The altar server occupies a privileged place in the liturgical celebration. The altar server presents himself to a community and experiences firsthand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgical act. Jesus is present when the community comes together to pray and render praise to God.
Jesus is present in the Word of sacred Scripture. Jesus is present above all in the Eucharist under the signs and bread and wine. He acts through the priest who, in the person of Christ, celebrates the holy Mass and administers the sacraments.
Therefore, in the liturgy, you are much more than simple 'helpers of the parish priest'. Above all, you are servers of Jesus Christ, of the eternal High Priest. Thus, you, altar servers, are called in particular to be young friends of Jesus. Be determined to go deeper and to cultivate this friendship with Him. You will discover that in Jesus you have found a true friend for life."
- Pope John Paul II
Requirements
+ You must have made your First Holy Communion through 12th grade and be a parishioner at St. Joseph Church. Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and carry them out well and with appropriate reverence.
+ Servers receive proper formation before they begin to serve. Altar Server training meetings are held on Saturday mornings. Please contact Gina or the parish office for details. Formation includes instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy (their names and use), and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Servers receive guidance on maintaining proper decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions. There are many details which are discussed at each meeting.
+ After sufficient training, new altar servers will be commissioned during Mass with a special blessing from the priest on a date to be announced.
+ Altar Server meetings also serve as a community. We would like to incorporate activities to share time to get to know each other. We are thinking of excursions to various nearby shrines and perhaps a yearly family picnic. Ideas are welcome and plans will be forthcoming.