Saint Frances Cabrini Altar Server Manual OFFICE: 303-979-7688 WEATHER HOTLINE: 303-953-7770 WEBSITE: www.sfcparish.org KRISTEN CONRAD: 303-953-7775 or 720-339-1943 kconrad@sfcparish.org Welcome to the Altar Server ministry at St. Frances Cabrini! Altar serving is a calling, and we are excited that you answered Yes to this very important ministry. As an Altar Server, you are assisting close to where a miracle occurs! You are an invisible helper to the Priest and Deacon during the Mass. As soon as an Altar Server dresses in their alb, they are on display to the community, and all their actions are to be performed with Attention, Dignity and most of all, Reverence. We ask that you please keep this packet in an accessible location at home, so you may refer to it whenever necessary to remind you of the responsibilities of each serving position. As you read through the details of each position, please remember your Posture, Purpose and Prayerfulness! Prayer Position palms and fingertips together pointed upward with thumbs crossed Posture pay close attention to when it is time to genuflect, stand, sit and kneel Helpful Reminder: When seated, avoid slouching and rest your hands in your lap. When kneeling, avoid sitting on your heels and keep your hands in Prayer Position. When standing, keep your hands in Prayer Position. When passing in front of the Tabernacle, please genuflect. To genuflect-- turn toward the Tabernacle (not the Cross or Altar) and bend down on your right knee, so that your right knee touches the floor, and bow your head you may make the Sign of the Cross as you genuflect. Purpose understand the purpose and responsibilities of each position Helpful Reminder: Altar Servers perform every action of the Divine Liturgy as a team. Altar Servers are to flow with the Mass and set a reverent example for the community. Prayerfulness always be mindful of the importance of reverent behavior Helpful Reminder: The interaction between the Priest, Deacon and Altar Servers during Mass can be described as a prayerfully choreographed dance. Each movement is purposeful and prayerful. Whenever an Altar Server is standing, walking, or kneeling, their hands are ALWAYS to be in Prayer Position.
ALTAR SERVER ATTIRE **NO DENIM, T-SHIRTS WITH DESIGNS, TANK TOPS, SNEAKERS AND/OR FLIP-FLOPS** Boy s: Girl s: slacks, plain t-shirts or polo or button down shirts and comfortable dress shoes with socks slacks or dress/skirt (no miniskirts), plain t-shirt or blouse and comfortable shoes (no high-heeled shoes); long hair is to be tied back; minimal make-up and jewelry The albs are light in color; therefore any bright colors and/or designs or prints WILL show through! Altar Servers are to blend in, and are never to be a distraction! ALTAR SERVER EXPECTATIONS **Reverent behavior is expected from an Altar Server from the time the alb is on until the alb is removed. This includes walking at all times, hands in Prayer Position, leaving cincture alone as soon as it is tied in place and remaining quiet unless helping a fellow Altar Server or speaking with the Priest/Deacon.** BEFORE & DURING MASS: Watch Altar Server Training video before serving at assigned Mass to review position responsibilities YouTube link: http://youtu.be/glha7j9vwak Arrive 20 minutes before Mass begins Sign-In in the Prayer Room If a server does not sign-in, it will be assumed that they were a no show (3 no shows and a server is removed from the serving rotation). Dress in alb and cincture, pray the Altar Server s Prayer Before Mass and return to Prayer Room (preferably 15 minutes before Mass begins) Participate in the Mass sing, pray, respond, listen to Readings and Homily and watch Priest/Deacon for ques FOLLOWING MASS: Pray Altar Server s Prayer of Thanksgiving After Mass Remove cincture and hang on bar (please keep same colors together) Remove alb and hang back on hanger (size number of alb should match number on hanger)
ALTAR SERVER POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES **The Altar Server Training video and this manual are excellent resources to review before serving at your assigned Mass!** Deacon Priest Book- Bearer Cross- Bearer Candle- Bearer Candle - Bearer CROSS-BEARER Moving to the right of the Baptismal Font and then the to the left of the Altar (figure 8), carry the Cabrini Cross for the Procession into the Sanctuary and stop in front of the Ambo, facing the Altar Once the Priest and Deacon walk down from the Altar, walk the Cabrini Cross to the Sacristy and place in holder Assist the Deacon by carrying the book stand and vessels from the Sacristy and place on the Altar Join the Priest and Deacon in front of the Altar for the receiving of the Gifts and be prepared to receive the tray of ciboria and/or carafes to bring to the Altar Working together with the Book-Bearer, assist the Priest and Deacon in dressing the Altar by placing/organizing the ciboria on the Altar (use attached picture, included in this manual, for a reference) Be sure empty bowls (ciboria) are placed at the edge of the Altar Hand the empty tray to one of the Candle-Bearers, who are standing behind the Altar Working together with the Book-Bearer, wash the Priest s hands and then take the bowl, cruet and finger towel back to the Sacristy When the choir begins to sing the Holy, Holy, Holy or Sanctus, together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the front of the Altar and kneel Together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the other side of the Altar (in front of the Ambo) for the Our Father. Please keep hands in Prayer Position during the Our Father. Following the Our Father, walk with hands in Prayer Position to your seat behind the Ambo and prepare to kneel When the Priest returns to the Altar, following Communion, take the tray back up to the Altar and be prepared to receive the ciboria from the Priest and organize them into the tray
CAREFULLY walk the tray back to the Sacristy and return to a kneeling position behind the Ambo Once the choir announces the closing song, retrieve the Processional Cross from the Sacristy and moving to the left of the Altar, lead the Procession out of the Sanctuary BOOK-BEARER With hands in Prayer Position, follow behind the Candle-Bearers in Procession into the Sanctuary (figure 8-right of the Baptismal Font and left of the Altar) When motioned by the Priest/Deacon throughout the Mass, hold the large and thin books for the Priest/Deacon during Opening Prayer, General Intercessions and Closing Prayers o The Priest/Deacon will hand you the book that needs to be held o Please hold the book steady so the Priest/Deacon may read from it Assist the Deacon by carrying the book stand and vessels from the Sacristy and place on the Altar Join the Priest and Deacon in front of the Altar for the receiving of the Gifts and be prepared to receive the tray of ciboria and/or carafes to bring to the Altar Working together with the Cross-Bearer, assist the Priest and Deacon in dressing the Altar by placing/organizing the ciboria on the Altar (use attached picture, included in this manual, for a reference) Be sure empty bowls (ciboria) are placed at the edge of the Altar Hand the empty tray to one of the Candle-Bearers, who are standing behind the Altar Working together with the Cross-Bearer, wash the Priest s hands and then take the bowl, cruet and finger towel back to the Sacristy When the choir begins to sing the Holy, Holy, Holy or Sanctus, together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the front of the Altar and kneel Together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the other side of the Altar (in front of the Ambo) for the Our Father. Please keep hands in Prayer Position during the Our Father. Following the Sign of Peace, take the book stand and book from the Altar and place the book stand on the credenza by the Sacristy and the book on the Deacon s chair Once the choir announces the closing song, walk with hands in Prayer Position and follow behind the Candle-Bearers as the Procession leads out of the Sanctuary (figure 8- left of the Altar and right of the Baptismal Font)
CANDLE-BEARER Please always walk slowly and side-by-side with the other Candle-Bearer AND hold the candle with BOTH hands Before Mass begins, please make sure all candles in the sanctuary are lit, place kneeler pads at the corners of the Altar steps and, together with the other Candle-Bearer, take a candle with BOTH hands from beside the Ambo, and slowly walk side-by-side into the Gathering Space With BOTH hands holding the candle, and standing side-by-side with the other Candle- Bearer, follow behind the Cross-Bearer in Procession into the Sanctuary (figure 8-right of the Baptismal Font and left of the Altar) Once the Priest and Deacon walk down from the Altar, walk the candle over to the right of the Ambo and CAREFULLY place it in its holder (the candles are heavy, therefore it is important to gently and slowly guide them into their holders please do not drop them into their holders) At the time of the Gospel, retrieve a candle with BOTH hands from beside the Ambo and, along with the other Candle-Bearer, lead the Deacon/Priest towards the Altar (there should be a Candle-Bearer on each side of the steps leading up to the Altar) Facing towards the Altar, wait for the Deacon/Priest to start to descend the stairs and, along with the other Candle-Bearer, lead the Deacon/Priest to the Ambo On either side of the Ambo, both Candle-Bearers will stand facing towards the Ambo at about a 45 Degree angle during the reading of the Gospel After the reading of the Gospel, walk the candle over to the right of the Ambo and CAREFULLY place it in its holder, and then with hands in Prayer Position, return to your seat behind the Ambo to listen to the Homily Once the Collection begins, retrieve a candle with BOTH hands from beside the Ambo and, together with the other Candle-Bearer, walk side-by-side into the Gathering Space (figure 8-left of the Altar, right of the Baptismal Font) Either the Ushers or Priest will motion to the Candle-Bearers to lead the Procession of the Gifts down to the Altar (figure 8-right of the Baptismal Font, left of the Altar) Walk the candle over to the right of the Ambo and CAREFULLY place it in its holder With hands in Prayer Position, BOTH Candle-Bearers are to walk over to the bottom of the stairs to the Altar and wait to receive the carafes and tray from the Deacon or Priest Walk the carafes and tray over to the Sacristy and then return to your seat behind the Ambo When the choir begins to sing the Holy, Holy, Holy, together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the front of the Altar and kneel
Together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the other side of the Altar (in front of the Ambo) for the Our Father. Please keep hands in Prayer Position during the Our Father. Once the choir announces the closing song, retrieve a candle with BOTH hands from beside the Ambo and follow the Cross-Bearer as the Procession leads out of the Sanctuary (figure 8-left of the Altar and right of the Baptismal Font) Once back in the Gathering Space, walk the candle back into the Sanctuary and gently place back into its holder What happens if only 3 servers show-up for Mass? If the Cross-Bearer does not show, the Book Bearer will assume the responsibilities of both the Cross-Bearer AND Book-Bearer. This is the same should the Book Bearer not show. If a Candle-Bearer does not show, the Book-Bearer will move to the Candle-Bearer position, and the Cross-Bearer will assume the responsibilities of both the Cross-Bearer AND Book- Bearer. ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULING Kristen Conrad will create the Altar Schedule utilizing the program Ministry Scheduler Pro, as well as assign positions for each month. [It is very important that servers NOT trade positions as the Priests want each server to become familiar with ALL the positions. ALL positions hold equal importance and are to be performed as such!] The hope is that Altar Server families receive a schedule at least 2 months in advance for planning purposes. There are 2 exceptions during the program year, and this will occur following the 2 Altar Server Training Meetings (October and February). Should your family be aware of vacations or specific weekends that your server will not be available, please update your profile in Ministry Scheduler Pro with these dates. Also, should a server not be able to make their assigned Mass, it is the server s responsibility to arrange for a trade or substitute. Servers may use Ministry Scheduler Pro to Request and Accept Sub Assignments. Should at any time you have questions or issues with Ministry Scheduler Pro, please contact Kristen Conrad. Notes:
PARTS OF THE MASS A. Introductory Rites ( including the Entrance Procession) (a) Procession path 1. Cross-Bearer (carrying Processional Cross) 2. Candle-Bearers (2) (carrying candle) 3. Book-Bearer (hands in Prayer Position) (b) Where to put the Cross/ Candle 1. Cross goes behind the wall in the Sacristy 2. Candles go on the right of the Ambo (c) Welcoming Prayer (Book-Bearer) B. Liturgy Of the Word (a) First Reading (Altar Servers Sitting) (b) Responsorial Psalm (Altar Servers Sitting) (c) Second Reading( Altar Servers Sitting) (d) Alleluia ( Altar Servers Standing) a. Candle-Bearers side-by-side to retrieve the candles b. Lead the Deacon or Priest towards the Altar and from the Altar to the Ambo (e) Gospel Reading (Book-Bearer and Cross-Bearer standing) a. Candle-Bearers to stand facing the Ambo at a 45 degree angle (f) Homily (Altar Servers sitting) C. Liturgy of the Eucharist i. Creed (Altar Servers standing) ii. Intercessory Prayers (Book-Bearer) iii. Setting the Altar (Cross-Bearer and Book-Bearer) 1. Book-Bearer and Cross-Bearer follow Deacon to Sacristy to retrieve vessels and then begin to set the Altar iv. Presentation of the Gifts (Candle-Bearers) 1. Retrieve candles then walk side-by-side (to the left of the Altar) to the Gathering Space and lead the Procession of the Gifts back into the Sanctuary (to the left of the Altar). Place the candles back in the holder and then stand at the foot of the Altar to wait for the tray and carafes to be handed to you to take back to the Sacristy. 2. Return to your seats briefly until the Holy, Holy, Holy or the Sanctus begins
3. When the Holy, Holy, Holy or the Sanctus begins you will join the other Altar Servers and walk with hands in Prayer Position to the front of the Altar and kneel v. Presentation of the Gifts ( Cross & Book Bearers Only) 1. Follow the Deacon and the Priest to the front of the Altar to collect the Gifts. The Priest or Deacon will hand them to you and you will take them to the Altar. Working together, finish setting the table and hand off the tray and carafes to the Candle-Bearers at the foot of the Altar. 2. Once the Priest holds up the Chalice to present the wine, stand side-byside to the right of the Priest, one with the bowl (Lavabo) the other with the Cruet and Finger Towel draped over your fore arm. The Priest will then turn to you for the washing of the Priest s hands. 3. Once this is done, return these items to the Sacristy and, together with the other Altar Servers at the Holy, Holy, Holy or the Sanctus, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the front of the Altar and kneel vi. Our Father (ALL Altar Servers) 1. Walk with hands in Prayer Position to the other side of the Altar and join the congregation in prayer keep hands in Prayer Position during Our Father a. Sign of Peace Book-Bearer to return book to the Deacon s chair ii. Communion (Cross-bearer) a. Together with the other Altar Servers, walk with hands in Prayer Position to the aisle closest to the Tabernacle and line up to receive Communion. Walk with hands in Prayer Position back to your seats and kneel until the Priest returns to his seat. Please avoid sitting on your heels and/or talking to your neighbor! b. The Cross-Bearer will take the tray from the Sacristy at the end of Communion (usually once the Priest makes his way back up to the Altar) back up to the Altar to collect the vessels. Stand to the left of the Priest and assist in putting the ciboria away. CAREFULLY walk the tray back to the Sacristy. 2. Concluding Rites a. Closing Prayer (Book-Bearer) b. Once choir announces the closing song, the Cross-Bearer retrieves the Cross from the Sacristy and the Candle-Bearers retrieve the candles. Process out.