The closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the word and the body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received.

Pope Francis, 2015

Altar Servers are a very special team of people in our parish. Its members have undertaken a serious responsibility, to serve God, their parish and the priest. They should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received their First Holy Communion and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.

Being an altar server means that you reflect the solemnity of the liturgy in assisting the priest. Your work on the altar should be ‘invisible’ – helping the community focus on the celebration itself, without distraction. A few simple rules are worth remembering:

  • You must be neat and clean.  Clean face, hands, hair, shoes, etc
  • Appropriate clothes: dress as you would to go anywhere important.
  • Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days.
  • Serve at every Mass when scheduled.
  • Servers should know the responses and say them out loud.  Even if you don’t have a response, and only the priest is speaking, pay close attention to the prayers as they are being prayed.  God is speaking to you too!