ALTAR SERVER'S ASSOCIATION ST. JOSEPH CHURCH MIRA ROAD (E)

Transcription

1 ALTAR SERVER'S ASSOCIATION ST. JOSEPH CHURCH MIRA ROAD (E)

2 BORN TO LOVE BORN TO SERVE ALTAR SERVERS HANDBOOK COMPILED BY: ALTAR SERVERS ASSOCIATION ST. JOSEPH CHURCH MIRA ROAD (EAST)

3 PRIVATE CIRCULATIONS ONLY ST. JOSEPH CHURCH MIRA ROAD (EAST) THANE

4 CONTENTS 01. THE LIFE OF OUR PATRON SAINT 02. OPENING AND CLOSING PRAYER 03. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 04. GENERAL RULES 05. BASIC RULES FOR SERVING THE MASS 06. MEANING OF OUR LOGO 07. LITURGICAL COLOURS 08. PRINCIPLE SACRAMENTAL SIGNS 09. SIGNS AND SYMBOLS 10. THREE OILS 11. DESCRIPTIONS OF VESSELS AND VESTEMENTS 12. PRAYER BEFORE AND AFTER SERVING 13. ANTHEM

5 THE LIFE OF OUR PATRON SAINT John Berchmans was born on 13th march 1599, in a small town of Belgium. His father was a shoe-maker and not rich. From his early childhood John was a happy and lovable character. His father was an excellent Christian. Even before the age of 7 years, John would rise early and serve several masses in the morning. That is why he was chosen as the patron Saint of ALTAR SERVERS. In his later years too, he was always ready to render service to others. He often acted as peacemaker when his companions quarrelled. John lived a life of prayer. He overcame all financial hardship and studied to become a priest. He joined the novitiate of the Jesuits. Here also he was liked by all. But John suddenly fell ill and gradually became very weak and had to lie in bed. John's great devotion to 'Mother Mary' through the rosary, kept him at peace during this period. He died at the young age of 22years. St. John Berchmans, Pray For Us.

6 OPENING PRAYER SIGN OF THE CROSS OUR FATHER Jesus my Lord and my Friend, I thank you for the gift of this beautiful day. I offer all that it promises, entirely up to you. Help me to be kind, helpful to all. Help me to take my studies and other responsibilities seriously. In my joys and difficulties, walk with me Dear Jesus. Teach me to listen to whatever you have to tell me today. 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be. CLOSING PRAYER SIGN OF THE CROSS Dearest Jesus, I thank you all that has happened today, I thank you for all the love and kindness I have received from you, through my family, friends, and so many others. Please bless and protect my family. I'm sorry Jesus, for my failure, to live like you today; for the times I was rude selfish and lazy, I ask your pardon. Give me the grace of good rest tonight. Help me to serve you better tomorrow. Amen. GLORY BE

7 ALTAR SERVER An Altar Server is an assistant to the priest and deacon during the mass and other religious services. Altar Servers do the supporting tasks at the Altar. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AIM: Feel close to Jesus during the Mass; firm, kind and courteous to all during the day. MOTTO: BORN TO LOVE BORN TO SERVE PATRON: Saint John Berchmans Meetings: 3 PM to 4:15 PM on Sunday Service: To serve during the Eucharist ACTIVITIES 1. Formation of Groups with Leaders & Headboy Headgirl 2. Induction & Training for newly joined Altar Servers by Animators 3. Patron s Feast Day, Annual Day, Vianney Sunday celebrations 4. Creative Tasks & Card Making Competitions 5. Advanced training to serve Feast masses 6. Sports Day & Indoor Games 7. Annual Picnic 8. Christmas Stall & Newspaper drive 9. Visit to special places, Altar Servers Rally, Bible sharing & quiz

8 GENERAL RULES Silence in the sacristy Reach the sacristy 15 minutes before the Mass Extra servers should reach the sacristy 5 minutes before Mass Dress decently and be presentable before Mass Recite the Prayer before Mass after Dressing Vest (dress 10 minutes before the Mass) Silence in the sacristy See that the candles are lit before the Mass starts Help the Priest to vest After the Mass help the Priest to unvest Maintain the Dairy An Altar Server must attend ever serving allotted, if the server cannot attend the assigned mass, it is the server s responsibility to find a substitute for that mass & inform the Animators. If Any Servers is Absent for 5 servings and 3 meetings continuously, he/she will be asked to leave.

9 BASIC RULES FOR SERVING THE MASS 1. Keep your hands joined. 2. Respond to the mass prayers Loudly, join in the singing and be attentive to assist the Priest. 3. Your Decorum on the Altar is important. So avoid scratching, yawing, looking at the people. Use a Handkerchief. 4. While standing- look ahead, keep your legs straight and firm, feet together and don t look at your feet or at the floor. 5. While walking- walk slowly, walk erect, avoid Swaying, and always lead the procession and the Priest. 6. While Sitting- Place your palms on your laps, keep feet firmly on the ground, not under the chair, keep your knees still and not together. 7. While Returning from the Altar- wait for the celebrant to turn away, only then you can make an inside out turn and return. 8. BOW TO THE CELEBRANT AFTER THE LOVABO. 9. While moving across the tabernacle and The Altar BOW respectfully and then proceed. 10. While Carrying smaller vessels use your right hand to hold the vessel and keep your left hand on your chest. 11. While Carrying larger vessels use both your hands to hold the vessel and keep the vessel above waist level.

10 While taking Clothes from the Cupboard -Wear the clothes only when you are ready to vest. -Pick the right size. -Keep the hanger back in the cupboard. -KEEP THE CLOTHES IN THE CUPBOARD During the mass when should the thurifer bearer go to the Priest? -1st time when the Priest reaches the Altar -2nd time when the Alleluia is being sung, the server, will go to the main celebrant to put the incense. Then the Server goes and stands near the Ambo. -3rd time after giving the wine and water and before the washing of the hands. First, the priest incenses the offering and the Altar; then the celebrants are incensed by another Priest or the Altar server and the Altar server incenses the Congregation.

11 MEANING OF OUR LOGO The Three stars and the Cross (OCD) First star- OBEDIENCE- Obey your elders who are in the place of God Second star- COMMITMENT- Come what may, I am Committed to my duty. Third star- DEVOTION- May your devotion draw other children closer to God. THE CROSS - There is a lot of real love hidden in every Sacrifice. LITURGICAL COLOURS RED- The colour of fire and blood is worn on martyr's feast days, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Pentecost. WHITE- Is a festive, joyful colour. It is used during the Christmas and Easter Seasons, Feasts of our Lord and Mother Mary. VIOLET- Symbolizes repentance and penance. It is used during Advent, Lent and Funeral Mass. GREEN- Is the colour of anticipation and hope. It is worn during ordinary time, the Liturgical season between Easter and Advent.

12 THE PRINCIPLE SACRAMENTAL SIGNS WATER: In Baptism, water is sign of new life/new birth. We are Cleansed from sin, buried with Christ so as to rise with Him to new Life. BREAD: This is the sign Jesus used to describe Himself as the " BREAD OF LIFE." Following His command, in faith, we take and eat this bread, His Body, and become one with Him. WINE: This sign which Jesus used for His Blood, speak to us giving and of sacrifice in order that we might enjoy the benefits of His love in the banquet which is the foretaste of heavenly joy. Signs and Symbols in Catholic worship CROSS: The Cross is a Symbol of Victory and Glory for Christians. ALPHA and OMEGA: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying the Beginning and the End. It symbolizes Christ, our beginning and end.

13 WHEAT AND GRAPES: Because of the bread and wine they produce, the symbol of wheat and grapes are often used to designate Eucharist. IHS : This shield marks out the first three letters of the name JESUS in Greek i.e. IHSOUS INRI: These indicate the first letters of the Latin words JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS, i.e. IESUS NAZERENUS REX IUDEORUM. THE THREE OILS The oils used for anointing are specially blessed for this purpose by the bishop at the chrism Mass on Maundy Thursday. It is called Chrism Mass because one of the oils used is called CHRISM OIL. The Oil of the Sick: It is used for anointing those who as sick in mind or body, for those about to undergo surgery, those in old age. It is God's gift to Ailing children, administered through the Priest. The Oil of Catechumen: A Catechumen is somebody who is preparing to become a Christian, and so this oil is used in Baptism. The Holy Chrism: Holy Chrism is the oil used to anoint people at their confirmation. It is also used to anoint Priests on their ordination. It is also used in the consecration of altars and church buildings.

14 DESCRIPTION OF VESTEMENTS AND VESSELS Alb-A long fine robe Cassock -A long white or black garment worn by priests Surplice-A waist length robe Cincture-Cord worn around the waist Chasuble-The Uppermost vest Stole-Worn by the Priest above the alb Dalmatic- Dress used only by the Decons during Mass Habit-A long black, brown or white colour garment worn by the carmelite Priests and brothers of our Parish.

15 Humeral Veil- Used by the Priest to cover himself while taking the holy Eucharist in procession or during the adoration Lectionary- Book of readings Lectern/Ambo - Reading stand Lector-Reader Missal-Mass prayer book used by the Priest during the Mass Lavabo- washing bowl Chalice -Container in which wine is poured. Purificator- used with the chalice Paten- On which the Host is kept for consecration Pall- Used to cover the chalice

16 Corporal-A small cloth which the chalice and host is kept during consecration Cruets- contains wine and water Ciborium-Contains the Host Particles Tabernacle-where the blessed sacrament is preserved Credence table-where the sacred vessels are kept Host - Used for consecration by the Priest Particles-Which is distributed during the mass to the people Monstrance-Used for adoration Lunette-The host is kept in the lunette which is kept in the monstrance for adoration Thurible- vessel containing burning coal for incensing

17 Thurifer- Altar server holding the Thurible Boat -Contains the incense grains Bells- Rung during Consecration Clappers-Wooden damped bells used during the Holy Week Altar-It is the place where the Holy Eucharist is Celebrated Pastoral Staff - Used by the Bishops and cardinals and Pope Skull Cap -Worn by the Bishop and cardinal and Pope Miter-Worn by the Bishop and Cardinal's and Pope

18 Easter candle Sprinkler- Used to sprinkle Holy Water Communion Plate- used while Distributing communion so that small pieces of the consecrated host may not fall down people Pyx- A Small Container used to take communion for the aged and sick

19 PRAYER BEFORE SERVING Sign of the Cross Jesus my Lord and my Friend, I thank you the gift of this beautiful day, and also for giving me this opportunity to serve you. Help me to take my studies and other responsibilities seriously. May I be helpful at home and to the needy. In my Joys and difficulties walk with me Dear Jesus. Sign of the Cross PRAYER AFTER SERVING Sign Of the Cross Thank you Jesus, I stayed Close to you at the Mass as a Server. Once again I ask you to bless me and my Family. Give me the confidence That I can become better every day. Sign Of the Cross

20 ANTHEM THANK YOU JESUS FOR ALL, THE THINGS THAT YOU DO FOR ANSWERING MY CALL AND BEING WITH US YOU HAVE CALLED US TO SERVE AND LORD HERE WE ARE WE HAVE COME WITH GLADNESS AND JOY CHORUS:MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD ALL THE EARTH AS WE SING OUR SONG WITH JOY... SERVE AND MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE YOU HAVE SHOWN US THE PATH AND BEEN OUR STRENGTH WE PROMISE TO SERVE YOU, O LORD BE A FRIEND AND OUR GUIDE AND A BROTHER TO US AS WE HAVE COME TO SERVE YOU WITH JOY.