At Our Lady Help of Christians all boys and girls in grades 5 to 12 can be altar servers whose parents are registered in the parish: they are expected to participate as Altar Servers at the Saturday, Sunday and Holy Day Masses.
Pope John Paul II said that Altar Servers are “servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal high priest. Therefore, you are called in a particular way to be young friends of Jesus.”
Altar servers play a crucial and necessary role in the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass. Being an altar server helps young people become more confident interacting with other people and being in front of people. Furthermore altar servers get a chance to deepen their faith in a way that is fun and interesting. They also get a chance to make good friends.
Training sessions are required and are conducted in the Fall of each year. Any prospective server who misses them must make them up. They will only be assigned to serve after they prove themselves to be comfortable and confident in the Sanctuary.
- Candidates should be willing to recite the prayers aloud and
be willing to have hands joined when in Sanctuary
Candidates must arrive at least 20 minutes before the assigned Mass begins. Dress up, sign in, check the sanctuary for all needed items, place the cushions and the bell in front of the altar and take a seat in the rear of the church with the other ministers for silent prayer and reflection.
Once you process into Mass, always have your hands joined. Be sure to change the roles of Crucifer and acolytes. Here at OLHC we genuflect to the Jesus in the tabernacle upon arrival and departure in and out of the sanctuary, other times we bow.