Altar Servers
Please contact Fr. Gerry if you are interested in serving at Mass
ALTAR SERVER GUIDELINES
Arrive in the sacristy fifteen minutes before Mass. Put on your robe (the rope should hang on your right side).
Light the candles, check that everything for Mass is on the table and the sacristy doors are closed, then go to the front entrance to prepare for Mass to begin.
Procession: allow five seats between each person. Let the music set the tempo. Cross bearer bows head briefly and places the Cross on the side wall. After bowing to the Altar, other servers go to their place in the first pew.
Cross bearer then takes the Roman Missal and stands near the Celebrant. After the opening prayer return the Missal to the table and go to your seat in the first pew.
Setting the altar: unfold the white cloth in the center of the altar; chalices to the left side, pall and purificators in right corner of altar.
Gifts: place wine directly on the left front of the altar, near the chalices; hand the bread to the priest. Do not place one chalice behind the other. Do not take wine pitcher to the side table, until the wine has been poured by the celebrant. After the priest has washed his hands, bring the Missal to the altar.
During the Consecration, ring the bells only once, quickly, when the priest raises the host and the chalice.
The server(s) should go to the front of the sanctuary for reception of the Eucharist, once the Eucharistic ministers proceed to their locations for distributing of the Eucharist to the congregation.
After Communion the cross bearer removes everything from the Altar and brings the Missal to the priest.
After the Closing prayer return the Missal to the table and stand by the Cross. When music begins, go to the center aisle with Cross and wait for the Celebrant to bow. Procession begins.
After Mass, clean the table and prepare everything for the next Mass. If it is the last Mass, put everything away.
NEVER PUT HANDS IN POCKETS. SIT UP STRAIGHT. DO NOT SLOUCH. PAY ATTENTION. RESPOND TO PRAYERS. SMILE!