“When you take part in the Liturgy by carrying out your altar service, you offer a witness to all.

Your absorption, the devotion that wells up from your heart and is expressed in gestures, in song, in the responses: if you do it correctly and not absent-mindedly, then in a certain way your witness is one that moves people.”

-Pope Benedict XVI addressing altar servers on August 2, 2006

Serving at the table of the Lord is an important and wonderful way that people young and old can assist in the Eucharist ‐‐ the source and summit of our lives as Christians.

When done with reverence, respect, and attention, as the Pope suggests, this can be a wonderful service to our faith community and indeed an act of love that draws the server closer to God.

• Participate in initial and on-going training as scheduled
• Be available when scheduled (approximately twice per month) or find a replacement from the provided Altar Server list.
• Be able to work together as a team.
• Arrive in the Sacristy 15 minutes before Mass is scheduled to begin to adequately prepare the altar and yourself.
• Dress appropriately.
• Understand the Liturgical structure of the Mass you will be serving.
• Even when not scheduled, check-in at the Sacristy to verify if additional Altar Servers are needed. Be available to assist if needed.

• Have a strong desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
• Have a deep sense of the spirit of the liturgy and be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner.
• Be an active member of the parish community and believe in the teachings of The Holy Catholic Church.
• Be a male or a female in 4th grade or older and have already received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.
• Anticipate what may happen next by paying attention to the priest throughout Mass.
• Be physically capable of assisting on the altar.

• In addition to initial and ongoing formation, servers are scheduled approximately every 3 months.
• Altar Servers are required at all Masses; Servers should be available whenever possible if coverage is needed