ALTAR SERVER GUIDE St. Joseph the Worker Parish November 2016
---------- + --------- Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church 7405 South Redwood Rd West Jordan, UT 84084 Website: www.sjtwchurch.org Please review this web site for any updates to this Altar Server Guide under the Ministry Schedules tab. Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 5:30 pm Sunday Mass 9:00 am & 11:30 am ---------- + ---------
SERVER S GUIDE INDEX Page WELCOME! 1 Altar Servers Prayer 2 Definition of Altar Server 2 Dress Code for Altar Servers 3 Vestments 3 Altar Server Rules 4 Altar Server Functions During Mass 6 Definition of Terms 15 Pictorial Section 19 Credence Table Setup 19 Chalice Setup 20 Roman Missal 21 Offertory Table Setup 21 Presider s Book 22 Bells 23 Altar Candles 24 Holy Water Container 24 Tabernacle 25 Thurible, Boat and Incense 26 Notes 27 ---------- + ---------
WELCOME Thank you for your desire to serve. You are now a member of a very special group of young people in our parish who have answered God s call to ministry. God has called you at a young age to help Him. As a St. Joseph the Worker Parish family altar server, you are a liturgical minister of our parish. Liturgical ministers have special tasks to perform during our liturgies, especially during the celebration of the Eucharist (the Mass). The Altar Server is very important in helping God s people worship in the best possible way. ---------- + --------- 1
ALTAR SERVER PRAYER Loving God, you call us to serve you, be with you and one another at Mass. Help me, for you have called me. Keep me prayerful and alert to you. Help me to help others in prayer. Thank you for the trust you ve placed in me. Keep me true to that trust. I make my prayer in Jesus' name, who is with us in the Holy Spirit. Amen. ---------- + --------- DEFINITION OF ALTAR SERVER It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God and therefore servers are chosen from those who display a desire for a more intimate union with our Lord at the Mass - and to serve Him. Our loving Savior becomes present on the altar just as He was at the Last Supper. For that reason you are truly a servant of the altar of Christ. Accordingly, Servers have a solemn responsibility to do their assigned duties with dignity and reverence. It is a blessed expression of your faith. Our parish welcomes your service. Our prayer is that you will continue your holy service for many years to come and be an example to others. 2
DRESS CODE FOR ALTAR SERVERS SHOES dress shoes (preferably black or brown shoes for boys and brown, black or white for girls) should be worn. HAIR Hair should be neat and trimmed, appropriate for boys and girls. Girls should have their hair tied back so that it is not in their face. JEWELRY Do not wear anything that will make noise and/or will be distracting, or that will cause you to have problems serving. VESTMENTS Cassock and Surplice ---------- + --------- Help one another. Make certain your vestments are clean and fit properly. 3
ALTAR SERVER RULES Arrive at least 20 minutes before the Mass starts to get dressed and make sure that the Altar is prepared. Make sure the candles are lit - and bread, wine, water, towels, bowl, prayer books, and any other sacramentals are in their proper place. Have candles and cross in your hands five minutes before Mass. Perform the duties assigned during the Mass in the prescribed orderly manner. Maintain a prayerful posture during Mass. If you are sitting your hands should be folded in your lap. Be quiet and respectful when on the Altar, you are role models. PAY ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES - and respond immediately when the priest or deacon asks for help. After the Mass, return candles and cross to the Sanctuary to ensure that everything is set up for the next Mass. Make sure that your cassock and surplice are hung in place after Mass. 4
ALTAR SERVER RULES (-continued-) Attend Altar Sever Training Classes when they are scheduled. Altar Servers should not leave the sanctuary after the start of Mass for any reason except bathroom emergencies, illness, or when directed to do so by the priest. Serve at every Mass for which you are scheduled - or make arrangements to have someone cover the Mass. ---------- + --------- 5
ALTAR SERVER FUNCTIONS Please arrive minimum 20 minutes before Mass! --Vest in surplice and cassock. --Go to altar: Get candles Bring to vesting area --Go to altar: Get cross Bring to vesting area --Quietly wait nearby vesting area in preparation for group prayer before Mass. Procession: Line up in front of baptismal table. --Cross-bearer leads procession. --Candle-bearers follow cross-bearer. Music begins Begin to process at 2 nd verse The priest/deacon will nod when to proceed. Cross-bearer leads. --Process ahead slowly. Don t race. Candle-bearers - follow 3 pews behind cross. Approach altar: Cross-bearer turns right. Stop face altar Right candle bearer turns right. Stop face altar Left candle bearer turns left. Stop face altar There is no need to when holding something. Priest/Deacon approach altar - stop & bow to altar. They then proceed up sanctuary steps toward altar. Cross-bearer places cross on stand and proceeds to east pew (first pew). Candle-bearers place candles at altar stands and proceed to their seats at sanctuary. 6
Introductory Rites: Left altar server holds Presider s Book open at first page. ** At times priest will use the Roman Missal (large red book on credence table) Left altar server stands before priest for Opening Prayer. Put Presider s Book on stand when priest is done. NOTE: Altar servers should participate in prayer responses during the Mass Liturgy of the Word: The Lector approaches the ambo to for 1 st and 2 nd readings. Altar servers sit. Gospel: At the Alleluia the altar servers stand. --Altar servers approach altar and take candles. Wait as the Priest or deacon elevates the Book of Gospels at altar and Alleluia is sung. --As priest/deacon moves to the ambo the altar servers proceed to the ambo. --Altar server closest to the ambo leads the priest and stands at west side of the ambo. --Altar server on east side follows priest and stands at east side of ambo. Servers remain there during the gospel reading. When the priest/deacon finishes reading and says: The gospel of the Lord Altar servers place candles back at the altar. Return to sit at your original seats. 7
Profession of Faith (following the homily) Priest/deacon stand. Altar servers stand. Hold Presiders Book for priest. All profess the Nicene Creed Prayers of the Faithful: Once the priest/deacon has completed the Prayers of the Faithful - altar servers have multiple functions: *If there are three altar servers: (See page bottom) --The cross bearer takes the cross to the front of the altar and proceeds up the aisle for the Offertory Procession. Stand at front of the baptismal font. --The other altar servers stay at sanctuary and assist the priest/deacon in preparing the altar. Immediately bring up these items: -- chalice Place them all -- wine cups at left corner -- purificators of the altar. -- water cruet -- Roman Missal (large red book) -- (Leave gold ciboriums on credence table). Altar servers then proceed with priest/deacon to the front of the altar for the Offertory Procession. * If there are two servers: one performs the cross-bearer function the second server assists with altar setup. 8
Offertory Procession: Once the ushers have completed the collection and the offertory couple are ready - Ushers will signal Cross-bearer to proceed down the aisle to the altar. Cross-bearer approaches the priest and turns right then stops and waits. Priest/deacon and altar servers will receive the gifts. --Collection basket goes on altar step --Priest will hand the gold paten and wine to altar servers. --Bow then proceed to altar. --Cross-bearer returns cross to stand, goes to credence table and prepares for washing of hands by taking hold of a white towel. --Altar servers bring gold paten and wine to priest/deacon. --Altar servers should stand at altar to the right of priest/deacon. --He will pour water into wine vessel then wine into cups. He will hand water cruet and empty wine pitcher to servers. --Altar servers return cruet & pitcher to credence table and return to altar for Washing of Hands. (See next page.) 9
Washing of hands: --One altar server holds water cruet. --One server holds the lavabo (water dish). --One server holds the towel. Approach the priest. He will turn to you when ready. Pour water on priest s hands over lavabo slowly. Priest dries hands and returns towel. --Return lavabo, water cruet and towel to credence table. Before Eucharist Prayer: The cross-bearer proceeds to bells located nearby ambo. This server will ring the bells. The other servers position themselves to left of crossbearer. Priest begins Eucharist Prayer : **** NOTE: The bell is rung three times during the Eucharist Prayer. Bells are rung using a three-ring increment; Ring (pause) Ring (pause) Ring (pause) When to ring the bells: First: Ring bells at early onset of Eucharistic Prayer when the priest places both hands over the chalice.. Ring (pause) Ring (pause) Ring (pause) 10
Second: Ring bells when the priest elevates the Precious Body Ring (pause) Ring (pause) Ring (pause) Third: Ring bells when the priest elevates the Precious Blood Ring (pause) Ring (pause) Ring (pause) Done: Put bells back in basket. Following the Eucharistic Prayer (Doxology) Altar servers stand. The Lord s Prayer: Pray along with the congregation. Sign of Peace: Offer one another the Sign of Peace. Offer priest/deacon the Sign of Peace. NOTE: (On a Sunday Mass) if the ciboriums are still on the credence table - place them all on altar at priest s left side. (Ciboriums are the empty, gold vessels that hold communion hosts.) Altar servers should then move toward the lector s chair, near ambo, to allow room for the Eucharist Ministers who are entering the sanctuary. 11
Communion: The priest will distribute communion to Eucharistic Ministers first then to altar servers. Once Eucharistic Ministers have left to distribute Holy Communion the altar servers can return to their seats. Remain seated during communion. After Communion: Altar servers at the sanctuary must assist with removing ALL items from the altar. Immediately following communion: -- Bring the water cruet to the altar. --All servers should stand at left of altar. --As the priest/deacon places purified items at left corner of altar the servers are to take items to credence table. --Everything must be removed from the altar! Once everything is returned altar servers may return to their seats. Closing Rite & Announcements: Altar servers stay seated. Altar server to left of priest should have Presider s Book open and ready. 12
Closing Prayer: All stand. --Altar server stands before priest with Presider s Book open. --Return Presider s Book back on small table when priest is done. (--Sit if priest asks congregation to sit for brief announcement.) Final Blessing: All stand for blessing. Closing Hymm: Stand momentarily. Wait for 1 st verse to end or if priest motions you to go. --Cross-bearer gets cross. --Altar-servers get candles from altar. --Cross-bearer proceeds to center aisle between first pews. Stop and face the altar. --Candle-bearers stand to left and right of cross-bearer. Stop and face altar. Altar servers do not bow. Priest/deacon reverence the altar & proceed to front. After a momentary pause priest/deacon bow then turn to face the middle aisle. 13
Closing Procession --Cross-bearer turns and leads procession out. --Candle-bearers turn and follow 3 pews behind. --Priest/deacon follow them out. Following Mass: Return candles and the cross to the altar and/or sanctuary area. Hang up cassocks and surplices on hangers. Thank you for your service! ---------- + --------- 14
ALTAR SERVER DEFINITION OF TERMS 1. The main areas of the church with which you should be concerned: a. The sanctuary is the area in the center and toward the front of the church where the altar, the ambo, and the priest s and deacon s chairs are located. b. The sacristy is the room where many of the items used in the celebration of the Mass are stored. This includes ciboriums, chalices, wine cups, communion hosts, corporals, purificators, books, candles, thurifer, wine and water. c. Other areas include the baptistry, where the baptismal font is located and where baptisms may be celebrated; the chapel of reservation, where the consecrated Holy Eucharist is kept outside of Mass; and one or more reconciliation chapels, where the sacrament of penance is celebrated. 2. Special books that are used during the celebration: a. The Lectionary is the large book containing the Bible readings. b. The Roman Missal is the large red book used by the priest when standing at his chair or at the altar during Mass. (The former name for this book was the Sacramentary.) c. Other books may be used too in the sanctuary, including a hymnal, and a Presider s Book. 15
3. Special vessels used in Mass: a. The chalice is the cup that holds the wine for consecration and communion. b. The ciborium is a special vessel used to hold the breads for communion of the people. It has a lid with a cross atop of the lid. c. The cruet is the small jar that holds water Mass. Cruets are usually made of glass or ceramic, with a handle. d. The decanter is a large jar that contains the wine to be used at Mass. A decanter is usually made of glass or ceramic. e. The lavabo is the dish used for the Washing of Hands. f. The paten is a plate that holds the breads for consecration and communion. 4. The vestments and linens used in Mass: a. The alb is a long white robe worn by the priest and other ministers, altar servers. b. The cincture is a rope or cord worn around the waist over the alb, c. The corporal is a white cloth spread upon the altar during Mass to hold the chalice, paten and ciboria. d. The chalice veil is a cloth that covers the chalice during the Mass when the chalice is not being used. It is not commonly used any more. e. The chasuble is the outer garment worn by the priest at Mass. It may be white or another liturgical color and usually matches the color of the stole. f. The dalmatic an outer garment worn by deacon g. The finger towel, or hand towel, is a cloth napkin used to dry the priest s hands. 16
h. The pall is a small, square, protective cover of stiffened cloth placed on the chalice during Mass. i. The purificator is a white linen cloth which the priest or deacon used to wipe out the chalice during Mass. Other vestments which may be worn in certain circumstances include the following: j. The amice is an oblong white linen cloth worn about the neck and shoulders, under the alb, by a priest or deacon. k. The cassock is a robe (usually black) worn in some parishes by the priest and other ministers during liturgical functions. It is also used by altar servers. The white surplice is worn over it. l. The surplice is a white garment, shorter than an alb. It is worn over the cassock. m. The miter is a ceremonial hat sometimes worn by a bishop on special occasions. The crosier (more often referred to as "staff") is the shepherd s staff carried by the bishop. 5. The following furniture items may be found in the sanctuary: a. The altar is the holy table from which the priest presides over the liturgy of the Eucharist. It is covered with an altar cloth. b. The ambo is a stand from which the lector reads from the lectionary book. The priest or another minister reads from The Book of Gospels from here. He also delivers the homily from here. 17
c. The credence table is the sanctuary side table wine and water cruets, communion patens, etc., are kept during Mass. d. The gifts table holds the bread and wine before it is presented to the altar. (This is also called the offertory table.) e. The presiders chair is from where the priest presides during the Liturgy of the Word and concluding prayers of the Mass. 6. Some other items with which to be concerned: a. The ambry cabinet that holds the holy oils. b. The aspergill is the holy water sprinkler, a device, usually a metal stick, used to sprinkle holy water for blessings. c. The censer (or thurible) is a metal container on a chain in which incense is burned via charcoal. d. Chrism is holy oil used to anoint people in baptism, confirmation and ordination. The chrism is kept in the ambry. e. The funeral pall is a large decorated cloth that covers the casket at a funeral Mass. f. The host is a term for the bread that is consecrated at Mass for the communion by the priest. Many parishes follow the practice of having a large host for the priest and small individual hosts for the people. g. The incense boat is a covered container that holds incense that burns in the censer. h. The tabernacle is the large, ornate box in which consecrated Eucharistic Bread is kept for the communion of the sick and for adoration by the people outside of Mass. It can be located in an area apart from the sanctuary. ---------- + --------- 18
Saturday Mass - Credence Table Setup 1 Chalice 4 Purificators 1 Roman Missal 4 Cups 1 Lavabo (water dish) 1 Finger Cloth 1 Water cruet (w/water in it) Sunday Mass - Credence Table Setup 1 Chalice 6 Purificators 1 Roman Missal 6 Cups 1 Lavabo (water dish) 1 Finger Cloth 1 Water cruet (w/water in it) 19
Chalice components (in order of placement) 1 Chalice 1 Purificator 1 Paten (gold) 1 Large Communion host 1 Pall (square cloth green, white or red) 2 Corporals. Chalice setup (with 2 corporals set at side) 20
Roman Missal Placed on bottom shelf of Credence Table Offertory Table Setup 1 Book of Gospels 1 Wine decanter (w/wine) 1 Paten (w/unconsecrated communion hosts and one large host) **Check this table before Mass begins. 21
Presiders Book Confirm this book is on table next to presider s seat before Mass begins. 22
Bells Confirm the bells are near the ambo before Mass begins. (Inside basket) 23
Altar Candles Confirm all candles are lit before Mass begins. Holy Water Pot w/aspergill Used at special occasions. 24
Tabernacle The tabernacle is a liturgical furnishing used to house the Eucharist outside of Mass. It provides a location where the Eucharist can be kept for the adoration of the faithful, for later Masses and distribution to the sick.) 25
Thanksgiving Prayer After Serving Our Dear Lord, lead all your saints in heaven and your people on earth in praising God. Thank you for letting me come before your altar to serve you. Help me to find joy in serving at your holy altar. Help me to find gladness in knowing and doing your will in this way. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. ---------- + --------- 26
BY YOUR SERVICE BRING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST TO OTHERS ---------- + --------- 27
NOTES
November 2016 ---------- + ---------