Holy Spirit Server Procedures January 2013 Robert.marusa@frontier.com 317 439 6734
Procedures for Altar Serving Before Coming To Church: 1. Review these instructions; they will be available in the Sacristy. 2. Make sure your shoes are neat and clean; wear dark pants and a light colored shirt with no writing on it. 3. Be sure your hands are clean, face is washed and hair is combed. Look presentable. Fifteen (15) Minutes before Mass is Scheduled to begin: 1. Sign in with the Mass Leader at the ministry table outside the Sacristy. 2. Go to the Sacristy and put on your alb. 3. Go into the Church (Worship Space) and check and fill all candles with oil. 4. Light all of the candles in the Sanctuary and the two on the altar. 5. Check that all items for the Preparation of the Gifts are present on the Credence Table as pictured in Figure 1 below. The Water Cruet, Bowl and Towel for Washing of the Hands and an empty Chalice with a Purificator as shown in Figure 1. The trays of Chalices containing wine and the trays of Patens either containing hosts or empty should also be arranged as shown in Figure 1. 6. Check the placement of the Purificators on the Alter as in Figure 2 below. The trays of wine will be placed between the front candle on the Alter and the Purificators with the Purificators to the left of the trays. Figure 1 Figure 2 Five (5) Minutes before Mass Begins: -If there are two (2) Servers: Get a candle from each side of the altar and meet at the back of Church for the Entrance Procession. -If there is only one (1) Server: You do NOT carry a candle for the Entrance Procession; gather at the back of the Church with the other Liturgical Ministers. During The Mass: 1. The Cross will go first when the choir starts singing to begin the Entrance Procession. Servers are walking directly behind the Cross, side-by-side and close to the pews, followed by the Lectors and Priest. If there is no Cross, the Servers will go first when the choir starts singing. As you approach the altar, servers will walk to the edge of the first step, at the corner - ALWAYS (there are 3 or more people behind you so leave room for them between you). 2. If you are carrying a candle, DO NOT BOW, SIMPLY NOD YOUR HEAD when the Priest and other ministers bow. We do not want to spill the oil or get near the flame. Proceed up the steps after the Priest, to replace your candle in its holder. Meet the other server at your bowing spots (see Figure 4) to make a reverent bow together facing the altar, then go stand in front of your chairs on either side of the Priest. 3. If you are the only server and NOT carrying a candle, go directly to your bowing spot and bow to the Altar then proceed to the chair to the left of the Priest and stand with the Priest. pg. 2 Holy Spirit Server Procedures August 2013
4. Participate during Mass. Servers are setting the example. Remember, you can see everybody and everybody can see you (If you yawn or cough, please cover your mouth. If you feel sick, quietly leave the Sanctuary and go to the rest room). 5. For the Opening Prayer the Priest will say: "Let us pray..." Stand at a 45 degree angle to the Priest, not directly in front of him, holding the Missal (the big red book) angled so that the Priest can easily see to read the prayer. After the prayer is read, close the Missal and put it back on the stool. Be careful not to lose the page ribbon placements. Stay standing until the Priest sits for the Liturgy of the Word readings. 6. Be seated when the Priest and Congregation sit for the Liturgy of the Word and the Homily. 7. After the Homily, stand when the Priest and Congregation stand for the Profession of Faith and General Intercessions and Prayers of the Faithful. 8. The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins. For the Offertory, as soon as the Priest sits, the servers prepare the Altar and the Preparation of the Gifts for the Consecration. 9. The lead Server picks up the Missal from the stool and takes it to the bowing spot (see photo page 5) while the other Server goes straight to the bowing spot. As soon as the two Servers are together, they make a quick bow to the Altar and begin preparing the Altar (setting the table). 10. The Server with the Missal puts it on the Altar and opens it to the first ribbon from the front cover. We open the Missal so that we know how much space it will occupy on the Altar. At the same time, the other Server gets the tray(s) of cups (the wine chalices) from the Credence Table and places it/them on the right corner of the altar. Leave the cups on the tray(s) but take the coverings off of the cups and return them to the Credence Table. Repeat this step if there is a second tray of wine cups. The empty cup, with the cloth Purificator, is then placed on the Altar to the right of the Missal. Remove the cloth Purificator from the empty Chalice and place it on the Alter at the base of the Chalice. 11. The Server who puts the Missal on the altar will get the tray(s) of Patens containing the hosts and arrange the Patens on the left side of the Altar, removing the Patens from the tray(s) and placing them directly on the Altar as shown in the picture below. Set the tray on the Altar next to the Missal, and then take the Patens off of the tray arranging them on the Altar as illustrated in the pictures. Arrange Patens containing hosts on the inside of the two rows and towards the candle side of the Altar. Place empty Patens on the outside row (towards the edge of the Altar). (Hosts might catch in Alb sleeves if you reach over full Patens). The Priest will fill the empty Patens with left-over hosts from the back Tabernacle; it is easier for him if the empty Patens are on the outer edge of the Altar. Return the empty Paten tray(s) to the Credence Table. Figure 3 Figure 4 The Altar should now be set as in these examples: pictures Figure 3 & 4: pg. 3 Holy Spirit Server Procedures August 2013
Note: Servers should work together preparing the Altar so they are both busy setting the table (Altar) and the task is completed as quickly, accurately and safely as possible. General Practice is to first place the Missal, the tray(s) of wine, the empty cup and then the Patens on the Altar in that sequence. One server can hold the tray of hosts while the other is taking the Patens and arranging them on the Altar for example. One server can return the tray(s) to the Credence Table while the other server straightens the Patens on the Altar as neatly as possible. Remember, we are setting the table for the greatest of all visitors, Jesus. 12. When the preparation of the Altar is complete, both servers should stand in their bowing spot and wait for the Priest to walk down the Sanctuary steps to receive the Gifts from the Gift Family. Follow the Priest as soon as he starts down, one server on each side of the Altar and down the steps. Stand a half step behind the Priest while waiting for the Gift Family to bring the gifts and hand them to the Priest. The Priest will then hand one of the two Gifts to each of the servers. Follow the Priest back up the Sanctuary steps, one server on each side of the Altar carrying the Gifts. 13. The Server with the Gift Paten and the large Host will hand the Paten to the Priest first and then go immediately to the Credence Table bringing back only the Cruet of water to the Altar. The Server with the Gift Wine Cruet will hand the Wine Cruet to the Priest secondly. Wait for the Priest to empty the wine into the empty cup and return the empty Wine Cruet to you. Take the empty Wine Cruet to the Credence Table and bring back the Bowl and Washcloth. If you will be holding the water Cruet for the Washing of the Hands, exchange the empty Wine Cruet for the Water Cruet with the Second Server, who will take the empty Cruet back to the Credence Table to get the Bowl and Wash Cloth. 14. The server returning to the Altar with the Cruet of water will stand to the right of the Priest at the corner of the Altar. Hand the Water Cruet to the Priest-HANDLE FIRST when he reaches for it. The Priest will pour one drop of water into the Chalice containing the wine from the Gift Family and hand the Water Cruet back to the server. When you receive the Water Cruet back from the Priest, use both hands to receive the Cruet, and then arrange it so that you are holding the Cruet BY THE HANDLE in your right hand. 15. The servers now assist the Priest with the Lavabo. (The Rite of Hand Washing, before celebrating the holy Liturgy originated from the practical precaution of cleanliness, which is now practiced symbolically.) The server with the bowl and wash cloth should now be standing to the left of the server with the water cruet. The server will hand the bowl to the server holding the water cruet once he is holding the water cruet by THE HANDLE. The server now holds the bowl in his left hand and the water cruet in his right hand over the bowl ready to pour the water over the Priests hands. The server with the wash cloth opens the wash cloth fully and holds it next to the bowl in preparation of catching any drips of water from the Priests hands. When the priest places his hands in the bowl, pour water slowly over the Priests hands until he lifts his hands indicating you to stop pouring the water. The server hands the wash cloth to the Priest and the Priest dries his hands, folds the wash cloth and hands it back to the server. The Priest will bow and may say thank you or God Bless you to the servers, who then return the bow to the Priest. 16. Servers return the water cruet, bowl and towel to the credence table then go stand at the Server's Kneelers. Do not place the cruet or the wash cloth in the bowl containing the water. 17. During the Eucharistic Prayer, which is after the Holy, Holy, Holy, you will KNEEL. 18. At the Elevation of the Body and Blood of Christ you ring the bells as long as the Priest elevates each of them or for about a count of four seconds. (Ring the bells loudly and holding the bells out in front of the kneelers, the kneelers block the sound). (It may seem loud to you, but not to the rest of the Worship Space). You ring the bells two times, first as the priest raises the large Host and after he says This is my body IT WILL BE OFFERED UP FOR YOU and second, when the priest raises the Challis containing the wine and after he says DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. 19. During the "Lord's Prayer", stand at the kneelers, hold the other Server's hand and Say the Our Father together as you would if seated with the Congregation. pg. 4 Holy Spirit Server Procedures August 2013
20. When the Priest announces the Sign of Peace, offer the Sign of Peace to the other Server then go up the Sanctuary steps; you may offer the Sign of Peace to the Priest (some Priests do and some don't do the Sign of Peace). One of the servers must remove the Missal from the Altar and replace it on the stool. Stand together in front of the Cross in the Communion Spots (see photo on page 5). 21. The Eucharistic Ministers will gather in the Sanctuary with the servers for Communion. Remain standing in front of the Crucifix and receive Communion. 22. After the Priests and E.M.s have all left the Sanctuary to distribute Communion, remove the trays from the altar and return them to the back Sacristy. Clear the Credence Table also, taking all items to the back Sacristy. You can take several trips from the Credence Table to the back Sacristy to safely carry all of the items. When all items have been taken to the back, return to the kneelers and kneel until the Communion service is finished, the Ciborium is taken to the back Tabernacle and the Priest sits in his chair. 23. After the Priest sits in his chair, stand and go to the Server bowing spots (see photo on page 5). When together, BOW together, and return to your chairs next to the Priest and sit. 24. The Priest will end the Silence after Communion when he has completed his meditation prayers. He will stand by his chair or go to the Ambo to begin the Concluding Rite. 25. Servers stay seated until the Priest completes the Announcements This brings to attention certain announcements from the parish. 26. Servers stand with the Congregation for the Greeting and Blessing For the last time the priest and the people exchange greetings Dismissal the mass ends with the solemn blessing of the congregation. 27. For the Closing Prayer, the Server will hold the Missal for the Priest as you did for the Opening Prayer. Look for the Priest to say "Let us Pray" as the signal for you to hold the Missal. If he takes the Missal to the Ambo, he will read the closing prayers from the Ambo, the servers stand at their chairs for the closing prayer. 28. After the Final Blessing of the Congregation, the Priest will walk to the Altar and BOW to the altar. When the Priest starts toward the Altar, go and get your candles. If the Priest is carrying the Missal as he leaves the Ambo heading toward the Altar, walk over to him and take the Missal from him, and return the Missal to the stool before you get your candle. 29. Follow the Priest down the Sanctuary steps, one server on each side of the Altar, to your respective places at the step corners facing the Cross. The Priest will wait for the Lectors and the Cross Bearer to gather. When he is ready, he will BOW to the Altar, Servers walk to recess out behind the Cross Bearer. Everyone else will be Recessing out behind you, in the same order that you Processed in. When you get to the back of the Worship Space, blow out your candles, being careful to hold them up straight so that you don't spill out the candle oil. After Mass: 1. When the closing song has finished, go back to the Sanctuary, put your candle in its stand, and blow out all of the candles. 2. Go to the Sacristy and hang up your alb, CLOSE THE CLOSET DOORS. THANK YOU FOR SERVING IN THIS REVERENT AND REWARDING MINISTRY! YOU ARE VALUABLE ASSETS TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY. pg. 5 Holy Spirit Server Procedures August 2013
Server Bowing Spots and Communion Spots: Appendix 1 Server Training Process First step: in training is to familiarize yourself with the actions of the Servers during the Mass. Please take your Server instructions to Mass and follow along during the Mass while watching the Servers. This will make the instructions very clear when you read them the next time. Second step: is to spend one to two hours with me in church walking through the procedures for the Servers one on one or two on one. This is a dry run, you will learn what to do when arriving for a Mass when you are scheduled to serve, sign in with the Mass leader, dawn your Alb and prepare for the Mass. We will run through the entire Mass step by step, start to finish. Third step: you will be scheduled to serve a Mass or two with me or another experienced server. Arrive for this Mass 30 minutes before Mass time to get ready and review. At last step: you will be scheduled to serve on a regular basis at your preferred Mass time. You will be scheduled with me or a veteran server on the first 3 month schedule. After the first schedule and you meet all the requirements, you can be scheduled to serve with a partner of your choice. Any questions, please feel free to contact me. Robert Marusa Server Training Robert.Marusa@frontier.com 317-439-6734 Personal Cell 317-877-3142 Home Office 317-877-1902 Home Office Fax pg. 6 Holy Spirit Server Procedures August 2013
Appendix 2 NEW SERVER SIGN UP INFORMATION FORM CURRENT SERVER INFORMATION UPDATE FORM LAST NAME FIRST NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE PHONE NUMBER (Number you want us to call you on) EMAIL ADDRESS (Best way for us to communicate) MASS PREFERENCE: PLEASE CIRCLE ONE SERVER PARTNER PREFERENCE: SATURDAY 5:30 P.M. 8:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. Robert Marusa Server training robert.marusa@frontier.com (Best way for you to contact me) 317 439 6734 Personal Cell (Best number for you to call and leave a message, second best way to contact me) 317 877 3142 Home Office 317 877 1902 Home Office Fax (return forms if you take home to fill out or put info into an email) 7178 Oakbay Dr. Noblesville, IN 46062 Please keep my information handy and call my cell anytime to notify me of a change in your status to serve. If you can t make a scheduled mass, please let me know or find an alternate from the alternate list and let me know you found a replacement. After two absentees without making arrangements for a replacement, we will check to see if you want to continue to be scheduled for serving. pg. 7 Holy Spirit Server Procedures August 2013