Altar Servers' Training Schedule

Altar Servers' Abridged Dictionary

Guidelines for Altar Servers from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy

Altar servers carry the cross, the processional candles, they hold the book for the priest during the prayers that are not at the altar, they carry the incense and censer, assist the priest when he receives the gifts of bread and wine from the people, and wash the hands of the priest. Servers also assist the deacon as necessary when one is present.

With the assembly, servers respond to the prayers of the liturgy, take part in the dialogues of the assembly and presider, and also join in singing the hymns.

Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well, and with reverence. They should already have received Holy Communion for the first time, and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.

Their formation "should include instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy (their names and uses), and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Servers should also receive appropriate guidance on maintaining proper decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions. In the tradition of the church, Altar Servers are vested. This helps prevent difficulties regarding appropriate dress," and insures unity of vesture with the other ministers.

Altar Servers (youth)

General Information: Training & Scheduling:

Servers are required to attend training sessions before being scheduled to serve at Mass. In addition, they should attend updates for all servers. Once a child is trained and willing to accept the responsibility of serving, he or she will be scheduled to serve at the Mass time the family attends most often. All servers are responsible for finding their own replacement when they are unable to serve at a Mass for which they have been scheduled. The server schedule allows for vacation or away dates, if the dates are provided to the scheduler three weeks before each new schedule is published.

Readiness:

Parents are the primary educators and formers of their children in the Catholic Faith and Tradition, and know the readiness of not only their child, but the readiness of the family for the child's commitment to be an Altar Server.

Does your family pray together? Do you participate in Sunday liturgies regularly? Is your child interested and attentive at Mass? Does he or she pray with the community, sing the hymns and songs? Has your child asked about serving? Is your child ready to take on this responsibility, and will he or she have your full support in that commitment?

High school and college-age servers:

Blessed Trinity encourages older youths and young adults to continue the ministry of serving at the Altar. This ministry is not a "children's" ministry although we have many children serving well in it. We always are happy to have our experienced high school age and young adult servers at Mass, contributing their unique knowledge and skills to minister at the altar.

Altar Servers (adults)

Adult men and women also take part in liturgical ministry by being Altar Servers here at Blessed Trinity. Adults Servers may serve at Sunday or weekday Masses, or for funerals or weddings.

For more information about Altar Serving, call Deirdre Sweet at the parish office, 407-277-1702 x 127.