St.
Patrick’s P A R I S H
Altar S
Young Parishioners Sharing Ta T Altar servers at 2022 Easter Vigil
Altar servers assisting during Palm Sunday
St. Patrick’s altar servers
he sacrifice at the altar is the most important part of the Mass, and the Eucharist is at the center of the Catholic faith. Altar servers have an amazing opportunity to see everything up close and help facilitate the Mass. All ministries are important, but in these ministries, young men assist at the altar and show reverence and respect for the Mass. Liz Cruz coordinates the Altar Server Ministry at St. Patrick’s. She and her husband, Ryan, are parents to four sons and a daughter — two of their sons are altar servers. Liz is very passionate about this ministry and how it lays the groundwork for a lifetime of faith for the young men of our parish. “This ministry fosters engagement in the Mass, fellowship, vocation awareness, and a place to grow and learn from Father and one another,” Liz says. Raised here at St. Patrick’s, Liz and her three sisters sang in the choir and served as lectors. Her brother, Joe, was an altar server — Liz witnessed the impact this ministry had on Joe. When Liz and Ryan moved back to the area in 2014, they went to several different Catholic Churches. One of the reasons they came back to St. Patrick’s was the Altar Server ministry. “We were desperate for our sons to be a part of a thriving, well-trained, altar-serving community at their critical ages, to draw them deeper into their faith and understanding of the Mass,” Liz says. “I was thrilled that Father was facilitating that at St. Patrick’s.”
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“The altar servers experience the Mass from a completely different perspective. The knowledge they gain about the parts of the Mass, the workings of the Mass and the organization of everything on and off the altar is truly incredible.” — LIZ CRUZ 4
