A LTA R S ER V E R S :
P ER FO R MI NG PRAYERFU L SE RVI C E F OR G OD A ND PA RI S H
O
ne of the blessings of serving in the When asked to describe what being an church is that you can always do so altar server is like, Isaac offers a powerful prayerfully. Altar server Isaac Fleck has reflection. learned this directly through his service “Being an altar server is nothing short during Mass. of heavenly,” he says. “I love being on the “Altar serving has broadened my altar. I love blending in and serving the definition of prayer,” Isaac says. “Being a community around me, learning to look server, doing my job on the altar is a form out and love everyone just for being at of prayer.” Mass, and participating in such a holy Isaac began as an altar server when he act, receiving the grace of God. It fills my was in fifth grade. heart with joy.” “My Sunday school teacher passed out a Altar servers assist the clergy, both (From left) Evan, Isaac paper to go to a training to become an altar priests and deacons, in the Celebration of and Andrew Fleck server,” he says. “Before that, I had always the Mass. Their responsibilities include carwanted to be up on the altar, so I jumped at rying the cross and candles, assisting with the chance. I’ve served for the past seven years. And I’ve setting the altar and receiving the offertory gifts, as well loved every minute of it!” as ringing the bells during the Eucharistic prayer. Through serving on the altar, Isaac has found him“The best part of altar serving is definitely ringing self drawing closer to the Lord, and to the members of the bells when the priest is holding up the Host,” says the Church. Evan Fleck, Isaac’s brother, who is also an altar server. “Altar serving has inspired me to learn everything “Everyone in the church is quiet and the bells make a about my faith,” he says. “I’ll admit that in the past, really nice ringing sound. I have been more interested in filling my head with “I wanted to get involved because it was something knowledge rather than my heart. But recently I’ve that I had never done and wanted to do,” he adds. “I learned that interior conversion comes from sharing thought that being an altar server was going to be a love with others.” really hard job because I thought everyone was going to Isaac points to an experience he had at a Catholic be looking at me. They weren’t.” camp that helped further deepen his appreciation for Like Isaac, Evan has found serving in this way to be altar serving. a spiritually enriching experience. “Meeting the wonderful, amazing, spiritually-filled “It has set me on a new direction to experience God people there has truly transformed my heart,” he says. in a way I have not before,” he says. “I think it has brought “Their love for the Gospel was so infectious. While me closer to God and it has also deepened my faith.” there, I got the opportunity to serve and I’ll tell you, that An annual training session for altar servers is typiMass was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever cally offered around September. At St. Monica, any boy had. Those people made the Mass what it should be — a or girl regularly receiving the Sacraments of the country coming together to worship, not just praying in Eucharist and Reconciliation and in fourth grade or the same place, but to become one to praise God.” older can serve.
If you would like to participate, please contact Fr. Vinny or Deacon Bob at the parish office 317-253-2193. 4
