The Altar Server Ministry: Growing Closer to Christ and Reverently Serving His Church

Becoming an altar server is something of a rite of passage for many youths of the parish. Children grow up attending Mass, beginning as infants and toddlers crying and talking noisily in the pews. As they get older, they grow in self-control and reverence. At the age of 7 or 8, they receive their First Holy Communion and, finally, they can participate in the Mass by receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Once a child is in fourth grade, they are able to begin assisting as an altar server at Mass. Participation in this ministry helps children gain a special closeness to the Divine Liturgy and that brings them closer to God in a whole new way.

“Instead of just being another person watching, altar servers are an active part of the Mass,” says Wayne Sulak, who coordinates the Altar Server Ministry. “They are a part of the celebration of the Eucharist. This participation deepens their faith.”

The altar server schedule is made based on which weekend Mass a family usually attends. Typically there are two servers per Mass. If it is a holiday or special feast day, there will sometimes be more servers depending on the needs of the Liturgy. Training to become an altar server is a straightforward process, as well.

“Right now, servers’ duties are very simple due to COVID restrictions,” Wayne says. “They carry in the candles for the processional and recessional and ring the bells during the Eucharistic prayer. Soon we will be adding holding the candles for the proclamation of the Gospel and presentation of the gifts. Training for new servers is done one on one. I will meet with a new server and one of their parents for a basic training.” Once their duties increase, there are larger training sessions and refresher sessions for current altar servers.

Having altar servers at Mass is relatively new for the parish. Until 2016, the parish did not have any altar servers. It was only the presider and the deacon who would be by the altar.

“Two kids would carry in the candles and then go sit with their families,” Wayne says. “At the end of Mass, they would carry them back out. It was pretty special when we did begin to have altar servers. The very first Mass at the parish with altar servers was at the 40 th Anniversary Mass for the parish.

“We often see our servers begin to serve in the parish in different ways as they get older,” he adds. “Many of them will graduate from being servers to being Eucharistic Ministers or lectors. They just change their involvement in the Mass to a new ministry. It is so great to see that. These kids are going to be the Catholic leaders of the future.”

If you would like more information, or to sign up your child to become an altar server, please contact Wayne Sulak at ewsulak@gmail.com or 817-360-5922.

Servers Carson and Angelina Bullock

Servers Carson and Angelina Bullock

Servers Jacob and Noah Roach