St. John of the Cross Parish Altar Server Handbook

Transcription

1 St. John of the Cross Parish Altar Server Handbook Updated 2012

2 Scheduling Servers Servers receive schedules periodically throughout the year. It is your responsibility to find a substitute if you cannot make your scheduled Mass. Servers missing more than two Masses in a six month period will receive a phone call to determine if they are still interested in being an altar server. If you are not scheduled for a Mass, we encourage you to stop in the sacristy before Mass to see if a sub is needed. At Home Wear appropriate Sunday clothing no jeans Wear nice shoes no gym shoes, clogs, sandals, flip clops or platform shoes. During the summer months (May through September) you may wear khaki or navy walking shorts with a collard shirt and clean gym shoes. Make sure your hair is combed neatly and will not require any of your attention during Mass. Make sure your hands are clean. When you arrive at Church Arrive at Church 15 minutes before Mass on Sundays. Arrive 10 minutes before Mass during the week. Go directly to the Sacristy. If you are late, and a new server is already dressed in his or her alb when you arrive, you will be unable to serve. Sign in on the Servers sign in sheet. If you are a substitute please indicate that. Put on a server s alb. Check for proper length the bottom of the alb should just touch the top of your shoes. Put on a cross around your neck, under the alb collar.

3 As the sacristan or presider for any special instructions for this Mass. On Sundays, decide who will be the crossbearer and the two candlebearers. Conduct at Mass When passing in front of the altar without carrying anything, bow reverently, not quickly, in front of the altar. Do not walk across the Sanctuary (the raised area around the altar) unless you need to. Walk around the area to light candles, carry items to the credence table. During Mass, sit up straight with lower back against the pew back. Keep your eyes focused on the central action. Take part in all responses, songs and gestures. You set an example and the congregation follows you. Do not talk or laugh with the other servers. Do not turn around at your seat.

4 Crossbearer Summary of Servers Roles During Sunday Mass (includes Saturday Vigil) Carries the cross in. Sits on end of altar servers pew. Brings the Roman Missal up for Opening Prayer. Brings the Roman Missal up at the Preparation of the Gifts. Receives gifts with other servers and places them on the altar. Removes the Roman Missal After Communion Brings the Roman Missal up for the Prayer After Communion Carries the Cross Out. First Candlebearer Works with second candlebearer most of the time. Carries candle in Opening Procession and sits next to crossbearer in servers pew. Carries candle in Gospel Procession. Brings the tray with 4 chalices and 4 purificators up at the Preparation of the Gifts to the altar. Receives gifts at foot of altar with other servers and places them on the altar. Brings empty decanter and tray to credence table. Carries towel to priest when second candlebearer brings bowl/pitcher. Carries candle out in Closing Procession.

5 Second Candlebearer Works with first candlebearer most of the time. Carries candle in Opening Procession and sets next to first candlebearer in servers pew. Carries candle in Gospel Procession. Waits in pew as altar is set. Receives gifts at foot of altar with other servers and places them on altar. Brings pitcher of water to priest or deacon with handle out. Brings pitcher and bowl to priest and pours water for washing hands. Carries candle out in Closing procession. If there are only two servers: One should be the crossbearer the other a candlebearer. The second candle may be placed out by the credence table for the Gospel Procession. At the Preparation of Gifts, when the ushers begin the collection, both servers set the table. One server carries the Roman Missal to the altar, while the other server carries the tray with the 4 chalices and purificators. Both servers join the presider or deacon to receive the gifts. If there is only one server: The server should carry the cross. A candle may be placed out by the credence table to be carried in the Gospel procession. At the Preparation of gifts, fits bring up the Roman Missal, then bring up the tray with chalices and purificators. Join the presider or deacon at the steps to receive the gifts.

6 Sunday Mass Duties Before Mass The Sacristan will ask the servers to put the following on the credence table: lavabo bowl and towel Water cruet or pitcher Wooden tray with chalices and purificators Roman Missal (red book) They go in this order from left to right. The Sacristan will ask the servers to light the candles by the altar and the Easter candle during the Easter Season. The Sacristan will ask the servers to place the following on the Gift Table located in the rear of church Ciboria with unconsecrated hosts (lids are kept in the Sacristy or at the Tabernacle) and decanter filled with wine. Check that there is a bottle of hand sanitizer near the servers kneelers. In the time remaining before Mass, servers are to sit in the Sacristy in the red chairs and quietly prepare yourself for Mass. Ask any questions to the Sacristan. Have a clear understanding of what serving position you have and your duties. Sunday Mass Duties After Mass The servers go to the credence table and carry all items, including the Roman Missal back to the sacristy. The servers extinguish the candles with the snuffer. The servers hang up albs in the closet. Return crosses to the drawer. Check with the Sacristan to make sure you haven t forgotten anything.

7 Weekday Mass Server 1: Processes in with Server 2 Brings up Roman Missal for Opening Prayer (not for Fr. David) Brings Roman Missal to Altar at preparation of gifts Brings water pitcher and lavabo bowl to altar Removes Roman Missal at Communion Brings Roman Missal up for Prayer after Communion (not for Fr. David) Processes out with Server 2 Server 2: Processes in with Server 1 Brings chalice(s) and purificator(s) to altar Walk with Server 1 to receive wine cruet from altar Brings towel to altar Processes out with Server 1

8 TERMS TO KNOW: acolyte: another name for altar server alb: white robe worn by servers and presiders altar: table of the eucharist ambo: lectern where the scripture is proclaimed ambry: cabinet on wall behind font that hold sacred oils aspergillum: metal instrument used to sprinkle holy water assembly: people gathered to celebrate liturgy baptismal font: pool of water used for baptism boat: small bowl that hold incense Celebrant: Priest who presides over Mass chalice: special cup that holds wine that become Blood of Christ chasuble: outer colored garment that priest wears ciborium: bowl that holds bread that becomes the Body of Christ corporal: square cloths on altar where gifts of bread and wine are placed credence table: servers table cruet: small pitcher that carries water or wine finger towel: towel used to dry presider s hands flagon: large vessel used to hold wine gift table: table on which bread and wine are placed before Mass lavabo bowl: bowl used when washing presider s hands Presider: Priest or lay minister who leads other types of liturgies such as a prayer service purificator: napkin used to wipe the chalice or communion cups that hold the Blood of Christ Roman Missal: large red book that contains the priest s prayers sacristy: room where ministers prepare for liturgy and storage for items used to celebrate liturgy sanctuary: space around altar and ambo

9 stole: long vestment worn around neck by presider of deacon usually varies in color by liturgical season. tabernacle: vessel or cabinet that hold the Body of Christ outside the liturgy so that it may be taken to the faithful who are sick or homebound thurible: vessel or pot for holding burning charcoal and incense thurifer: minister who carries thurible

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11 St. John of the Cross Parish 5005 S. Wolf Road Western Springs, IL Phone: Parish Website: Server Web Terminal: My User ID is: My Password is:

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