Altar Servers St. Margaret Mary Minister Handbook Revised December 2016
2 Welcome Welcome to being an Altar Server at St. Margaret Mary. First off, thank you for your desire to participate in the Mass. We know that you are probably getting involved in many things from sports to music and more, so we thank you for your commitment to your parish community. This is a fabulous way to volunteer and demonstrate leadership in your community. The following pages have been put together to help you in your ministry as an Altar Server. We ask that you arrive at church 15 minutes before Mass begins. This will allow you to have adequate time to get ready, receive any last minute instructions from Father, prepare for your specific roll, and enter into the prayer of the community. 2
3 BEFORE MASS Vesting When you arrive at church, the first thing you will need to do is check in and get vested (dressed). The albs (robe) and sinctures (belt) are all found in the east sacristy. Find a robe that fits and a cincture that matches the color of the feast. Liturgical Colors Green Ordinary Time Purple Advent/Lent Gold Christmas/Easter Red Pentecost, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Martyrs (Saints who died for their faith) White Can be worn anytime Make sure the alb you choose fits appropriately, see the following page for details. 3
4 Sizing your Alb You will want to choose an alb that comes just above your ankles. If it is too long, you might trip over it. If it is too short, it tends to look a little crazy with the clothing you are wearing underneath. The Story of the Three Bears Altar Servers Candles Once you are dressed in your alb, your next duty is to light the four altar candles. Whoever is there first is assigned this task. 4
5 Opening Procession After all the before Mass duties are finished, proceed to the entrance doors of the church and wait with Father for the procession to start. One server will be designated the cross bearer. The cross bearer leads the procession followed by the two servers. They move to the foot of the Altar. Once everyone is in place, the servers who are not carrying the cross bow as a sign of reverence to the altar. The server carrying the cross does NOT bow. 5
Then the cross bearer continues on towards the tabernacle. The cross bearer puts the cross in the stand while the other two servers and the priest genuflect to the tabernacle. Once this is done, the servers go to their starting seats in the front pew. 6 Collect (Opening Prayer) After the Gloria is sung, one of the servers will need to be ready to bring the priest the Roman Missal (Red Book). When the priest says the words Let Us Pray the server should present the Missal to the priest making sure that the bottom of the book the part with the ribbons is facing the priest. Once the prayer is completed, the server may return the Missal to the table and continue back to his or her seat. 6
7 Setting the Altar (Setting the Table) At home, before meals, we need to set the table. This is the same at our celebration of the Eucharist. When the song for the presentation of the gifts begins, it is time to set the altar for communion. The credence table (table where all the dishes begin) is divided into four sections. The first items that need to go up are the Missal (red book) and the items in sections 1 and 2. They include: the chalice, the purificator (cloth to clean the cup), the water cruet, and the wine cups (weekends only). 7
8 Once you are finished setting the table, go to the seats behind the ambo (the place where the readings happen), and wait until the gifts are brought up. When the deacon or priest goes to receive the gifts (bread and wine), go with them to the front of the altar. Bring the bread and wine to the left side (side by ambo) of the altar and give them to the priest as he receives them. Do NOT place them on the altar yourself. Once you have given the gifts, one server will bring the bowl and towel, to the left side. The other server will pour the water over the priest s hands as he says a prayer. When this is finished, the water and wine cruets, as well as the bowl and the towel are returned to the credence table. 8
9 Sign of Peace During the sign of peace, the additional communion bowls are brought from the credence table to the altar so that everyone has the dishes they need to offer communion to the rest of the congregation. Receiving Communion Servers will stand alongside the communion distributors so that they are able to receive communion. After Communion The priest will purify (wash) the chalice and return hosts to the tabernacle. When he is finished he will say a prayer and close the Missal. When he returns to his seat, the servers clear the altar putting the Missal back at the table and the remaining dishes back on the credence table. 9
10 Closing Prayer When the priest says Let us Pray the server brings the Missal to the priest. Recessional Begin singing the closing song. When the priest begins to move, the servers will lead the procession out of church. The cross bearer removes the cross from the stand while the priest and other servers genuflect. Then they move to the front of the altar and bow (just like the entrance). Then the cross bearer, followed by the two servers, lead the processional out. A reminder that the cross bearer does not bow. After Mass Extinguish candles with the snuffer only. Please do NOT blow them out as wax will blow over the side of the candle. Return the albs and sinctures back to the sacristy. 10
11 Additional Comments Sitting Please sit reverently throughout Mass. Do not cross legs or slouch. If you need to cough or yawn, please cover your mouth. If you are coughing, please use hand sanitizer behind the altar before touching dishes. Kneeling when the congregation kneels, you kneel behind the altar. Kneeling pads are located on the back steps for you to use. Talking No talking during Mass. Participate You are a leader of prayer, and very visible to the congregation. As such, please participate in the responses to the prayers, as well as the singing. Scheduling Our parish uses and online scheduling system. A link to this page can be found on the parish website at smmneenah.org 11
12 Scheduling At St. Margaret Mary, we use a web-based scheduling program that is monitored by our Director of Liturgy and Worship, but allows volunteers to access and manage their own scheduling needs and preferences. The following pages will highlight features of that program. Although this system helps convenience, we do ask that if you are scheduled you do your best to show up. Please check the schedule, especially if you know you will be attending a particular Mass to see if subs are needed. Online sub requests will not be permitted 36 hours prior to Mass. If a sub is needed within 36 hours, it will be the duty of the volunteer to contact someone in their ministry to take his/her place. Contact information can be found under the roster tab in the scheduling program. 12
13 Scheduling cont. 2 13
14 Scheduling cont. 3 14
15 Scheduling cont. 4 15
16 An Alter Server Prayer Oh Jesus, my King and Lord, by the grace of the heavenly Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me in all righteousness as I serve You today at the Altar so I may be always worthy of Your presence. If I happen to make an mistake, may it be a lesson so my service will be perfect tomorrow. Jesus, I love you with all my heart. Amen. 16
17 Notes 17