altar server handbook - keller, tx server handbook-1.pdf · the proper celebration of the sacred...

Revised 09/01/2015

ALTAR SERVER

HANDBOOK

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Catholic Parish

Keller, Texas

If you have any questions, contact:

Mrs. Candy Warner, Director of Liturgy

817-431-3176

Mr. Gerry Asher, Server Training Volunteer

817-581-0304

Email: [email protected]

Revised 09/01/2015

mailto:[email protected]

Revised 09/01/2015

Revised 09/01/2015

Am I Ready to Serve at Mass?

Excerpts from “A Liturgical Footnote” by Fr. J.C. Garrett

The proper celebration of the Sacred Liturgy is central to our lives as Catholics. In fact, the first document

issued by the Second Vatican Council was on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. One of the key

phrases from that document is that all the people attending the Mass should have a “full, conscious, active

participation” in the liturgy, each according to their proper order (as an aside, this English translation is a

little inaccurate, for in the official Latin the word “actuoso” is used which is more correctly translated as

“actual” not “active”. This is important because we Americans often take the word “active” to mean to be

doing something, but the Church considers being attentively silent, say in reflecting on God’s Word, as

“doing something.”).

For all of us to participate in the Mass as the Church wants us to we need to have an understanding of the

gestures, the symbols, even the environment that makes up the Liturgy. This understanding allows us to

join ourselves more fully with all that is happening during the Mass. And what, you might ask, is

happening at Mass? Fr. Francis Randolph, in his guide to the Mass entitled, “Know Him in the Breaking

of the Bread,” beautifully puts it, “Here in the Mass we meet our Lord Jesus Christ; we share in his birth,

death, and Resurrection; we are nourished with his Body so that we may become the Mystical Body of

Christ, which is the Church. Be aware of that, and whether the Mass is in the new rite or the old or another

yet to come will not matter.”

Mass, especially Sunday Mass, is not something that one should “just show up at.” Rather, it is important

for the person to be prepared to enter into the celebration of the Mass. So how does one get ready for

Mass?

It begins with recognizing that Sunday is not like the other days of the week. Sunday is the Lord’s Day,

and therefore the Lord should be our central focus for Sundays. The Sabbath rest is God’s gift to us because

He knows that we can be prone to overwhelm ourselves with busyness. He wants us to rest, to be renewed,

and to spend time with Him who is the source of our lives and the goal of our lives. This means that we

should not “fit Mass” into our Sunday schedule, but rather Sunday Mass should be our first priority, and

anything else is arranged around it.

Next we should make ourselves hunger for the Lord. In the “good old days” this meant that we had to fast

from food and drink (except water) from Midnight (Sunday) until we went to Mass on Sunday morning.

This extended period of going without physical food helped us really hunger for the Food from Heaven,

the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. While the Church has relaxed this extended fast before Mass, it did

not eliminate it. All Catholics, especially those who plan to receive Holy Communion, are suppose to fast

for one hour prior to Mass. This means one hour before the start of Mass, not when you think you will be

receiving Communion. Obviously those who, due to age or medical condition, are excused from fasting

in general are also excused from the Sunday fast as well.

Revised 09/01/2015

Another thing that we should do to prepare ourselves for Mass is to make an examination of conscience.

The late Pope John Paul II repeatedly stated that just attending Mass is not sufficient reason for receiving

Holy Communion. Rather, all Catholics are to make a conscious, deliberate examination of conscience to

be sure that they are in a State of Grace (have not committed a mortal sin), and to beware of their venial

sins so to ask forgiveness for them in their prayer at Mass. Such a deliberate examination of conscience

before Mass helps prevent developing a too casual attitude towards the Eucharist, which is the source and

summit of our lives.

Finally each Catholic should bring their intentions, their spiritual sacrifices, to the altar at Mass. In our

baptism we were all made “Priest, Prophet and King,” and while the Ministerial Priesthood is distinct

from the Priesthood of the Baptized, both, in their proper ways, are a participation in the One Priesthood

of Jesus Christ. Just as the priest makes a specific intention before each Mass he celebrates, each member

of the congregation should also make a specific intention for the Mass they are attending. They can bring

a special need of their family, their friends, community, or workplace to the Altar, lifting them up in prayer

to our one Mediator, Jesus Christ. The reason why it is important to arrive at church early is so that we

can take some time for quiet prayer to examine our consciences, ask the Lord of Mercy for forgiveness,

and to form our personal Mass intention. With this done, we are ready to begin the celebration of God’s

love for us.

So, where is my head – and my heart? Considering this example of a proper mindset for all who participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,

how much more important is that mindset for those who serve at the altar?

Once you’ve made the external preparations to serve – that is, vested in the cassock and surplice – take a

few minutes to prepare internally, by spending some time in prayer. The kneelers on the back of the very

last row of pews in our church are the perfect place to make those preparations.

Server’s Prayer Before Mass

Open my mouth, O Lord, to bless Your Holy Name.

Cleanse my heart from all evil and distracting thoughts.

Enlighten my understanding, inflame my will,

That I may serve worthily at Your holy altar.

O Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate,

Obtain for me the grace of knowing my vocation in life.

Grant me a true spirit of faith and humble obedience

so that I may ever serve Christ the High Priest and willingly follow him

who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Amen.

Revised 09/01/2015

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALTAR SERVER

An Altar Server assists the priest and deacon during Mass. In order to assist properly in the holy sacrifice

of the Mass, a Server must possess and exhibit reverence at all times. This attribute is expressed at all

times by having your hands folded in prayer, sitting or standing straight with good posture. It is

important that Servers are always aware that they are in the presence of God: both by virtue of the Blessed

Sacrament in the tabernacle, and the fact that the altar is the sacred place which carries the sacrifice of our

Lord, Jesus Christ, at every consecration.

Servers should always make time to pray before serving, in preparation for their duties, asking for God’s

grace to help them faithfully assist in the Mass.

This ministry requires participants who are mature and responsible. Remember first and foremost that

assisting at Mass as an Altar Server is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, the following qualifications must

be met to become an Altar Server at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:

Member of SEAS Parish

Received their First Holy Communion

Begun the 4th Grade

Know the prayers and responses of the Mass thoroughly so as to fully participate while serving

Read and follow the Altar Server Handbook.

SENIOR SERVERS

Experienced Servers may apply to be a Senior Server. These Servers will be paired with new Servers to

act as role models and guides. They also will receive special training to serve at weddings and funerals.

Serving at a funeral is a rewarding experience because it brings comfort to the grieving family. Contact

Mrs. Candy for an application. If chosen to be a Senior Server, the letters “SS” will appear next to your

name on the Server list.

SIGNING IN

If you are scheduled to serve, YOU MUST ARRIVE AT LEAST 20 MINUTES BEFORE MASS

BEGINS. Upon entering the Church, go immediately to the sign-in book and write your name in the

“Altar Server” column; then go into the Usher’s Room and get vested. If you are not scheduled to serve,

but wish to do so as a substitute, please check with Mrs. Warner or the Mass Captain before signing in;

you may have to wait for a few minutes to allow the scheduled Servers a chance to show up. If you are

late and a substitute has already been allowed to get vested in your place, the substitute will serve.

This policy is to encourage everyone to be on time and prevent any last-minute chaos.

If you are attending Mass with your family and you notice that there are only one or two Servers assisting

the priest, notify Mrs. Warner or the Mass Captain at the back of the Church and get vested. Proceed up

the right side of the sanctuary, bowing to the altar, enter through the Sacristy door, and take your position

on the altar.

Revised 09/01/2015

DRESS

A prime example of reverence is being well-groomed and wearing the appropriate clothing when serving.

Yes, even though you’ll be wearing a cassock and surplice over your “street clothes,” dress is very

important.

Servers at SEAS will observe the following Dress Code:

Well groomed – hair neatly styled, hands and nails clean, smiling faces

Neatly dressed - long, dark dress pants are preferred; clean, “non-distressed” blue jeans are

acceptable. NO shorts, NO faded, torn or baggy blue jeans.

Dark (black or brown) dress shoes or boots are preferred; they should be clean and polished.

Athletic shoes are acceptable so long as they are a modest style, clean and in good repair. NO

soccer shoes, sandals or “flip-flops.”

ALTAR SERVER CASSOCKS & SURPLICES

Wearing the proper cassock & surplice size is the key not only to “looking good” but also to performing

your duties safely and efficiently.

The specific size of the cassock or surplice is noted in the form of a two-letter code (CE, DF, etc.). The

first letter relates to the chest size, the second letter to the length. A properly fitting cassock should have

a hemline around the ankles, with the sleeves ending at the wrists. If the hemline is too long you run the

risk of tripping; if it is too short, the resulting fit will be a distraction to the congregation. Take the time

to find a cassock which fits you properly, and remember the letter code on the size tag for your future use.

If you can’t find a cassock which ends exactly at your ankles, opt for the next size shorter – remember,

“Safety First.”

The proper combination of cassock & surplice should find the surplice sleeves ending about the same

length as the cassock sleeves. In this case, ‘shorter’ is better than ‘longer’ – a bit of red of the cassock

sleeve showing is perfectly acceptable.

Always check the fit in the mirror before leaving the Usher’s Room, as you may have grown and need a

bigger size; take the time to do a “buddy check” with your fellow Servers, as they may see something ill-

fitting on you, and vice versa.

When Mass is completed, hang your cassock and surplice on separate hangers neatly on the rack; this will

make it easier for the next Servers to find their appropriate sizes. There is a step stool near the rack to aid

the shorter Servers, if needed.

Revised 09/01/2015

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