Ministry of Altar Servers

Altar Servers are those people who assist the Priest at the altar during the celebration of the Mass. They may be persons of various ages and either gender. Two servers are required for each weekend Liturgy and others for special Liturgies. Rosters for Altar Servers are compiled in advance in May and October each year.

Requirements for Altar Servers
Altar Servers must be prepared to perform their ministry with sincere devotion and decorum. They must be deeply imbued with the spirit of the Liturgy and willing to be led, in a way appropriate to their age and understanding, to a deeper understanding of the prayerful intention and spiritual disposition which must inform anyone engaging in liturgical ministry. Everyday actions such as walking, sitting, standing are vested with a deeper and more spiritual significance when done before, during and after the Sacred Liturgy, therefore Altar Servers must be prepared to undergo training in the correct, orderly and reverent performance of their ministry.

Preparation
Altar Servers must arrive at the church 15 minutes before the commencement of Mass and report to the Mass Co-ordinator. Altar servers will be designated as Server 1 and Server 2
All Altar Servers must dress with the dignity befitting the Eucharistic celebration, that is, neatly, cleanly and simply dressed, not to draw attention to themselves. The accepted form of dress for Servers of all ages is the Alb, tied with a Cincture.
Before the Celebration of Mass begins, Server 1 will reverently bow before the Cross, remove it carefully from the wall and take it to the Sacristy. Server 2 will light the candles in the church.

Procedure
Procession into the church: After the Introduction, and during the playing of the Entrance Hymn, Server 1 will lead the procession, carrying the Cross, raised and facing forward. He/she will be followed by Server 2, Reader 1and the Celebrant.

Commencement of Mass: On arrival at the foot of the altar, Server 1 will proceed to place the Cross on the rear wall and bow to it. Server 2 will remain at the foot of the altar until the Celebrant has bowed to the altar. Then both servers will sit in the front row, at the right hand side facing the altar. Server 2 will return to the foot of the altar and hold the Sacramentary for the Celebrant during the opening prayers. Both servers will remain seated during the Liturgy of the Word and Homily

General Intercessions: On completion of the Profession of Faith (Creed), S2 will take the Sacramentary to the Celebrant for the Prayers of the Faithful.

Preparation of the Altar:

On completion of the Intercessions, both servers will move to the Sanctuary, S2 taking the Sacramentary, and wait facing the congregation, by the credence table while the Eucharistic Ministers place the cloth on the table. S1 and S2 will then:
· Take the corporal and lay it open in the centre of the altar
· Place the Sacramentary to the left of the corporal,.
· Place one chalice and purificator together with the carafe of water to the right of the corporal.
· Take any pyxes from the credence table and place them on the left front side of the corporal.
· Return to the credence table and wait, facing the congregation
· Hold the bowl and finger towel for the Celebrant to wash his hands.

Preparation of the Gifts
Once the Celebrant has poured wine and water into the chalice, one server will remove the stopper of the wine carafe and water bottle from the altar, place on credence table, then both return to their seats.
At the Sign of Peace, Altar Servers will:
· Exchange the sign of peace with each other and those nearest to them.
· Take the three chalices and purificators from credence table and place to the right of the corporal
· Place the plate(s) on the left side of the corporal
· Stand at the right side of semi-circle of Communion Ministers (facing congregation) to receive Communion, then return to places once Ministers are in position.S2 takes the sacramentary.
Final Prayers: S2 holds the book for the Celebrant.

Recessional:

During the final hymn, S1 bows to the cross and carries it down to the foot of the altar with the Celebrant and S2. When the Celebrant is ready, all bow to the altar. S1 then leads the procession, followed by S2 and Celebrant, to the Sacristy. After the final hymn, the cross is returned to the church.