SERVER

Servers assist the priest during Mass. Open to youth, 6^th grade and older. Training is provided. Schedules are mailed to you listing the dates you will serve.

Procedure

1. Be in the sacristy 15 minutes (or at least 10) before Mass. Put on an alb that fits you.

2. Light the candles.

3. Go with Father Tom to the back of church, one server carrying the crucifix and goes first. (On Wednesdays and Fridays enter from the side.) The other server walks with hands folded. Reaching the altar the server with the crucifix should be on the right side of Father. The other server genuflects with Father.

4. Server with crucifix takes it to the stand at the right of the altar, the other server goes to stand by the chairs. Answer the prayers with the congregation.

5. When Father says: “Let us pray”, the server who did not carry the crucifix takes it to Father with the front of the book facing Father. Hold the book so Father can easily read the prayer.

6. At school Masses after the petitions, the server in charge of the book takes the book and places it on the altar. The other server places the chalice above the book and water on the left side of the altar. Take the dishes of hosts, two cups of wine and white cloths on the table and place them on the altar, too. Then go to the foot of the altar and take the hosts and wine from Father after he receives them from the children.

7. On Sundays when the ushers come to the front and bow before the altar, the server in charge of the book places it on the altar while the other server places Father’s chalice above the book and the water on the left side of the altar. Then both return to the small table and take the chalices with wine and the white cloths and place them on the right side of the altar. Then sit down and wait for Father to go to the foot of the altar to receive the gifts.

8. The server who has the hosts, hands it to Father, and then takes the water from the side of the altar while the other server continues to hold the cruet of wine. Hand Father the wine and then the water with handles towards Father.

9. Both servers go to the table. The one with the water picks up the dish for the washing of hands. The other server takes the towel and opens it so Father can easily wipe his hands. Return to your chairs.

10. At the handshake of peace, go to the altar and shake hands with Father. Remain there to receive Holy Communion. When Father finishes taking the hosts from the ciborium, he hands the ciborium to one of you. Place it on the table. Stand near the side of the altar and receive Holy Communion. As soon as the Eucharistic Ministers proceed to their places, servers remove the book and chalice from the altar. Take book back to stand near your chair and the chalice is placed on the table. Then go and kneel down. When Father sits down after Communion, you sit down.

11. When Father prays again at the end of Mass, the server in charge of the book takes the book to Father.

12. After the blessing, take crucifix from the stand and when Father begins to go to the altar and kisses it, move to the foot of the altar. The server with the crucifix does not bow or genuflect. The other server genuflects with Father and then proceeds with Father to the back of church.

13. Don’t rush out, an even pace of walking will allow Father to keep up with you.

14. Do not remove albs until you have extinguished the candles and taken all the sacred vessels from the table to the sacristy.

15. Now you have served the Lord and it will be on your resume when you get to heaven!!