Christ the King Roman Catholic Church Commack, New York Altar Server Handbook June 2014
Christ the King Altar Server Ministry Ministry Leader Sheilah Schumann 499-7896 sheilah_s@yahoo.com Moderator Father Brian McQuade 864-1623 bmcquade@ctkrcc.org Training Coordinator Christian da Luz 368-9251 Scheduling Website http://www.ministryschedulerpro.com?user=ctkcommack - 2 -
Altar Server Dress Code The Eucharist is a sacred and special meal. When we come to Mass, the way we dress should show that we are the Body of Christ and that we are going to a special banquet. Altar servers play a public role at Mass and set an example for the rest of our parishioners. Therefore, we would ask you to please dress accordingly whenever you come to Mass, particularly when you are assigned to serve. We have designed the following guidelines to help everyone determine what is and what is not appropriate dress for altar servers. Boys should wear dress slacks and a collared shirt. For girls, a top with sleeves, a knee length skirt, dress slacks or a dress with sleeves are appropriate. Dark dress shoes and socks should be worn by boys and girls. The following items are not appropriate at any time: Tight fitting or sleeveless tops Tops with plunging necklines Jeans Shorts T-shirts Short skirts (above the knee) Flip flops Sneakers Sweatshirts, sweatpants or sweatsuits Windsuits or jogging apparel Any clothing with words, logos or slogans Beach sandals - 3 -
Instructions for All Altar Servers Before Mass Be in the church at least fifteen minutes before Mass starts. Go to the Ministers Room and put on an alb that fits you. Sign in (even if you are filling in for someone else). Decide with the other servers who will be the Cross Bearer, the Book Bearer and the Assistant. Wait quietly in the gathering space for the priest. During Mass Follow what the assembly does. Always look attentive and prayerful during Mass. There should never be any chewing of gum or candy. When you are standing in position, fold your hands in front of you. Do not swing your arms back and forth. Participate in the prayers and hymns of Mass using the hymnal. Always be attentive during Mass. Instructions for the Cross Bearer During the Introductory Rites Lead the Entrance Procession by carrying the cross high and walking slowly. Don t begin the procession until the first verse of the hymn is over. Upon reaching the altar steps, reverence the altar with a very slight bow of the head. Place the cross in its stand and take the first seat. - 4 -
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist As the ushers start preparing for the collection, take the cross down the center aisle to the table with the gifts. Lead the Procession with the Gifts when the usher directs you. Return the cross to its stand. When the assembly begins kneeling for the Eucharistic Prayer, place your kneeling cushion (found under your chair) onto the bottom step of the sanctuary facing the altar. Follow the assembly in kneeling. When the assembly stands for the Our Father, return to your seat and place the kneeling cushion back under your chair. At the Sign of Peace, come up to the sanctuary. Stand next to the altar to receive Communion. As soon as you have finished receiving, return to your seat and sit (even though the assembly will be kneeling). If you wish to receive from the chalice, remain at the altar until it is offered to you. During the Concluding Rite After the final blessing and dismissal, lead all in the Recessional. Return to the ministers room and carefully hang up your alb in the closet. Instructions for the Book Bearer During the Introductory Rites Stand side by side with the assistant behind the cross bearer during the Entrance Procession. Upon reaching the sanctuary steps, reverence the altar with a bow. - 5 -
Have a seat next to the cross bearer. Listen for your cue during the Gloria: For you alone are the holy one... Immediately bring the small Missal to the priest for the Collect. Do not open the Missal, the priest will open it. After the prayer, leave the Missal on the lower shelf of the credence table. Go to your seat to listen to the Word of God. During the Liturgy of the Word After the homily, listen for your cue during the Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.... Immediately bring the binder up for the Prayer of the Faithful. Do not open the binder. After the prayer, leave the binder on top of the credence table and return to your seat. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist When the ushers start the collection, go with the assistant to prepare the altar by setting up the corporal, large Missal, chalices, and purificators. Return to your seat. Go with the priest and the assistant to receive the gifts, assisting as directed. At the washing of the priest s hands, assist with holding the towel or holding both the cruet and the finger bowl and pouring water from the cruet over the priest s fingers. Return to your seat after placing the water bowl, wine flagon, cruet and towel back on the credence table. - 6 -
When the assembly begins kneeling for the Eucharistic Prayer, place your kneeling cushion (found under your chair) onto the bottom step of the sanctuary facing the altar. Follow the assembly in kneeling. When the assembly stands for the Our Father, return to your seat and place the kneeling cushion back under your chair. At the Sign of Peace, come up to the sanctuary and assist with placing the ciboria on the altar. Stand next to the altar to receive Communion. As soon as you have finished receiving, return to your seat and sit (even though the assembly will be kneeling). If you wish to receive from the chalice, remain at the altar until it is offered to you. Before the end of Communion, take the large Missal from the altar and place it on the lower shelf of the credence table. After Communion, listen for your cue from the priest: Let us pray. Bring the small Missal to the priest but do not open it. Wait there throughout the announcements unless the priest tells you to return to your seat. During the Concluding Rites After the Final Blessing, join the priest in the center aisle to reverence the altar. Follow the cross bearer in procession while standing next to the assistant. - 7 -
Instructions for the Assistant During the Introductory Rites Stand side by side with the book bearer behind the cross bearer during the Entrance Procession. Upon reaching the sanctuary steps, reverence the altar with a bow. Have a seat next to the book bearer. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist When the ushers start the collection, go with the book bearer to prepare the altar by setting up the corporal, Missal, chalices, and purificators. Return to your seat Go with the priest and the book bearer to receive the gifts, assisting as directed. At the washing of the priest s hands, assist with holding the towel or holding both the cruet and the finger bowl and pouring water from the cruet over the priest s fingers. Return to your seat after placing the water bowl, wine flagon, cruet and towel back on the credence table. When the assembly begins kneeling for the Eucharistic Prayer, place your kneeling cushion (found under your chair) onto the bottom step of the sanctuary facing the altar. Follow the assembly in kneeling. When the assembly stands for the Our Father, return to your seat and place the kneeling cushion back under your chair. At the Sign of Peace, come up to the sanctuary and assist with placing the ciboria on the altar. - 8 -
Stand next to the altar to receive Communion. As soon as you have finished receiving, return to your seat and sit (even though the assembly will be kneeling). If you wish to receive from the chalice, remain at the altar until it is offered to you. During the Concluding Rites After the Final Blessing, join the priest in the center aisle to reverence the altar. Follow the cross bearer in procession while standing next to the book bearer. Important Terms to Know Acolyte a man preparing to become a priest or deacon is installed by the bishop as an acolyte. He assists the priest at Mass, helps to set the altar and assists with the distribution of Holy Communion. He may wear an alb when he serves as acolyte. Alb the white garment that the altar servers and other ministers wear. It reminds us that when we were baptized, we were called to serve Jesus. Altar the sacred table in the middle of the sanctuary where the priest offers the bread and wine which become the body and blood of Jesus. When the church was dedicated, the bishop consecrated the altar with special oil. Altar Candle the candles at the altar that are lighted for Mass. Ambo the place where the scripture readings are proclaimed and the homily is given. Baptismal Font the large bowl in the middle of the church we celebrate the sacrament of baptism. Binder the prayers for intercessions and often other additional blessings and prayers are copied into a special liturgical binder that we use during Mass. One of the servers is responsible for holding the binder. - 9 -
Bishop the man who is appointed by the pope to be in charge of the diocese. The Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre is Bishop William Murphy. Occasionally he, or one of his assistant bishops, comes to our church for the sacrament of Confirmation or for other special occasions. When the Bishop comes for Mass, we have extra servers to assist with the special symbols that he uses. Book of the Gospels the special silver covered book that is carried by the deacon or lector during the Entrance Procession. The Gospel is proclaimed from it during Mass. Cantor the person who leads the singing of the responsorial psalm and other sung parts of the Mass. Censer (Thurible) The gold vessel with a chain that we burn charcoal and sweet smelling incense in for special feast days. Chalice the sacred vessel which is used for the consecration of wine which becomes the blood of Christ during Mass. Ciborium the sacred vessel which is used for the consecration of the bread which becomes the body of Christ during the Mass. - 10 - Corporal the square linen cloth which is unfolded on the altar for Mass. The sacred vessels are placed on it. Credence Table the table in the sanctuary where the sacred vessels, linens and the Missal are kept during Mass. Cruet the small glass pitcher with water is used during the preparation of the gifts. Deacon the man who sits next to the presider in the sanctuary. He wears a stole that goes across his chest. At Mass he proclaims the Gospel, reads the intercessions, gives directions to the assembly (ie: let us offer each other a sign of Christ s peace, etc.) and distributes communion. The deacon is an ordained minister. Finger (Lavabo) Bowl the small glass bowl that is used for the washing of the priest s hands during the preparation of the gifts. Finger Towel the towel that is used to dry the priest s hands during the preparation of the gifts. Flagon the large glass pitcher which contains the wine and is carried up in procession to the altar during the preparation of the gifts.
Gift Table the table by the baptismal font where the flagon of wine and large ciboria with hosts are placed before they come up in procession. Holy Water Bucket and Sprinkler during the Easter Season we use this container to bless the assembly with holy water at the beginning of Mass as a reminder of baptism. At other times of the year, we use holy water for special blessings. Incense Boat the container that the incense is kept in before it goes into the censer. Lectionary the special book that is used for the scripture readings at Mass. Lector (Reader) the person who proclaims the scripture readings at Mass. Master of Ceremony The person during special liturgies who makes sure that things run smoothly and that everyone knows what is going on. Sometimes this will be one of the senior altar servers or an adult person. Paschal Candle The very large candle kept by the baptismal font. It is used to remind us that Christ is the light of the world. During the Easter season it is lit at every Mass and it is kept in the sanctuary. It is also lit for baptisms and funerals. Presider s Chair the special chair in the sanctuary where the priest sits during Mass. Processional Candle During special feast days, we carry these beautiful candles next to the cross and during the procession with the Book of the Gospels. Processional Cross The cross carried by one of the altar servers to accompany the various processions. Purificator the white folded linen that is used when the communion ministers wipe the chalice. Sanctuary the area of the church where most of the liturgical furnishings are. The sanctuary is elevated so that people may see what is going on. Missal the red book which contains the prayers and instructions for the priest used during the celebration of Mass. - 11 -
Sanctuary Lamp the lamp hanging above the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel which tells us that the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle. Sacristan the person who sets up the vessels and books for Mass. Sacristy the room next to the blessed sacrament chapel where the vessels and vestments are stored. The priests and deacon also prepare for Mass in the sacristy. Tabernacle the special container in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved for people who are sick and can t come to Mass, for those who wish to pray with Jesus after Mass. Occasionally if we run short of hosts during Mass, extra consecrated hosts are taken from the tabernacle. Prayer for Altar Servers Loving Father, creator of the universe, you call your people to worship, to be with you and one another at Mass. I thank you for having called me to assist others in their prayer to you. May I be worthy of the trust placed in me and through my example and service bring others closer to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen. - 12 -