Altar Server Training Manual
Altar Server Training Manual
Altar Server Training Manual
You are an important part of something awesome! You will learn a great deal about the Mass, your Parish, and your Catholic faith. Youll get to learn these things while serving at Mass and at the Altar Server Meetings and other Altar Server activities. Youll have opportunities to participate in parish life at Mass, in community service activities, and even fun events especially for Altar Servers. You have many people to help you grow in your Altar Server Ministry. In addition to the other Altar Servers, both Altar Server Youth and Adult Leaders are here to help you both at Mass and at our meetings. The Altar Server Youth Leaders are: Drake Ardon, Naomi Benitez, Zach Mathison, Lisa Ocampo, Jorge Soto, and Jasmine Viernes.
For Meetings & Training, the leader is: Laura Chun: 760-726-2486 chun@pacbell.net For English Scheduling/ Attendance, the leaders are: Anna Ardon: 760-721-0381 aardonsd@cox.net Gherlyn Conejos: 760-805-1757 gntconejos@gmail.com The Spanish Speaking Masses, the leaders are: Daniel Ramirez: 760-433-4602 daniel_ramirez@yahoo.com Lucila Marez: 760-529-0828 marezlucy@yahoo.com For Spanish Scheduling/Attendance, the leader is: Nubia Cerda: 760-439-3235 nubiac@live.com Altar Server Alb Sacristan: Gina Mora: 760-721-5181 gina.mora@cox.net 1
This is the Altar Server manual. This is a great place to go to for help in being an Altar Server. Please read it at home and even ask your parents to read it with you. It will help you to understand about being an Altar Server. The Parish Website is there for you: If you have a computer, please visit the Altar Server page of the parish website at: http://www.sanluisreyparish.org/altarservers.html (you could also go to the parish homepage and then search on Altar Server). Bookmark the Altar Server page and check back often. Youll find the Altar Server schedule posted there each month, an Altar Server Newspage/blog with current news, photos, or even video clips of what the kids are doing in the Ministry. Theres a link for Learning about Liturgy, where just some of the things well learn in our meetings are posted, including guides to liturgical vocabulary, the Order of the Mass, and even this manual. So, please bookmark the Altar Server page and check back often! Please note: Rosters with Altar Server names, phone numbers and email addresses (for your use when you may need to find a substitute to serve in your place) will be distributed at meetings and sent directly to Altar Server families via email. Rosters with personally identifiable information will not be posted on the parish website. People to help you: In addition to the youth and adult leaders of the Ministry your greatest help can come from other experienced Altar Servers. There is an Altar Server assigned as a Cross at each Mass. The Cross Altar Server is also a Leader. They are there to help you, too! During Mass, our wonderful Celebrants will also support you. Always watch Father very carefully though the entire Mass. Father will discretely signal to you if there is something special they need you to do but you'll have to be watching them to see it!
Five Things to Check at Home before Mass: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Hair Hands Shoes Clothes Heart
Monthly Schedules: Scheduling requests are due to the Scheduler by the 1st day
of the previous month. The schedule will be completed around the 15th and will be emailed to Altar Server families and also posted on the Altar Server page of the parish website: www.sanluisreyparish.org/altarservers.html. Paper copies will be placed on the Altar Server bulletin board in the Altar Server Vestry for kids to take home and put on the family bulletin board. Your presence is very important. Please serve when youre scheduled, or find a substitute ahead of time when you cant.
You are an important part of the Mass. Your priest and your congregation depend on you. Please serve when you are scheduled to do so or find a Substitute Altar Server to serve in your place.
Albs: At most Masses, the Altar Servers wear the white albs in the Altar Server
Vestry. Choose one that fits; a little shorter is better than too long (keeps it clean and keeps you from tripping over it!). When you attach or detach the velcro tab, get your fingers under the tab itself and pull it off gently, do not pull or tug on the alb material itself. Make sure the cincture or rope you choose is the correct Liturgical color (check the liturgical calendar on the wall for the color of the day), tied on the left, not too loose, and not too long. After Mass, hang the albs nicely in the closet.
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Ways Altar Servers Help Prepare for Mass: After you are prepared for Mass, it's time to help get the church ready, too. The Cross needs to make sure the following tasks are done. The Cross can ask the other Altar Servers to help, too. If you notice that the Chalice with Purificator and Pal are not on the credence table, please make sure to tell the EM Steward for that Mass. The Steward is the Eucharistic Minister who is in charge of the Eucharistic Ministers for that Mass.
Five Things to do at Church just before Mass 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Reserve Altar Server Seats with Rope or Acolyte Chair Sign Chalice with Purificator and Pal on Credence Table Water Cruet, Washing Bowl, Hand Towel on Credence Table Light Candles - 10 Minutes prior to Mass If incense is being used, start prepping 20 minutes prior to Mass.
You are very visible at Mass: At one point or another, every person at Mass will
be looking at you so be a great example for them! Smile and greet people before Mass. As you process with Father in church, fold your hands in front of you in respect. During Mass, all Altar Servers stand up and sit down in unison.
Candle Bearers are next. There are usually two Candle Bearers. On special occasions, the Candle Bearers may actually carry candles, although this does not happen on regular Sundays. The 'Candles' process together at the beginning and end of Mass. During the offertory, you will go to the back of the Church and escort the gifts to the front of the Church. Candle Bearers always walk together in unison. You assist the priest in washing his hands and help clear the Altar. The Candle Bearers must always keep their eyes on Father during Mass in case they are quietly called to assist in some way. Try not to cross in front of Father if it can be avoided. The Thurifer carries the incense and uses the incense at Mass. Incense represents our prayers ascending to heaven and is used to incense the Altar at the beginning of Mass, the Celebrant and the Gospel, and a third time to incense the Gifts and the People of God. Incense is used at the larger Sunday Masses as well as special liturgies. The Cross Bearer is the lead Altar Server. The Cross Bearer lights the candles ten minutes before Mass. The Cross Bearer tries to find Emergency Substitutes for any scheduled Altar Servers that are not there. The Cross checks with Father before Mass to see if he has any special requests (a glass of water or Kleenex near his chair or an urgent errand). Try not to cross in front of Father if it can be avoided. You assist the priest in receiving the gifts at the Offertory. You also will hold Father's book during Mass. Watch Father attentively during the entire Mass; Father may need your help and will signal to you. You are the priests assistant and your job is very important even for such things as knowing where the Serra Center air conditioning switch, light switch, Sacristy Key, and Serra first aid kit are. You will be carrying the cross in the front of the procession before and after Mass. Always be Reverent with the cross. If the cross becomes heavy as you stand during the recessional song, gently place the base on the floor. As you process out after Mass, make sure the Cross does not hit the ceiling. Help the other Altar Servers understand what they need to do. Be kind, patient, and discreet as you provide direction to the other Altar Servers. The younger Altar Servers look to you to help them and be their good example.
Thank you so much for Altar Serving! You are showing your love to God and are graciously serving our Community. You are an important part of something awesome!
Many thanks to Marge & Joe Ontiveros, whose 2006 Altar Server manual had been used as a reference. This manual was written by Laura Chun. Send any comments or suggestions to chun@pacbell.net. Current as of 8/27/10. Images licensed to Laura Chun.
This is your certificate for a prize from The Altar Server Prize Box!
Did you read and understand this manual? If so, just sign below! Bring this certificate back to our October meeting on 10/21/2010 to redeem for a prize.
___________________________________ Altar Server Signature ___________________________________ Parent Signature ___________________________________ Parent email and phone Mark your calendars for our September 2010 Meeting as well! It will be September 16th at 6:30 starting in the Serra Center and then concluding at the fire pit near the tennis courts (east of McKeon Center) for our annual Campfire & Smores