Altar Servers
Download current Altar Server Schedule
Altar Serving Ministry
Altar Serving is a liturgical ministry. It is a service to the gathering of God’s people at mass, at prayer services, funerals, and weddings. The server assists the presider; prepares the altar; leads three processions during Mass; guides the assembly when to stand, to sit, to kneel; makes sure that what is needed for the celebration is brought,carried or moved into place.
Outside of the priest or deacon, servers, more than any other liturgical ministry,
are concerned with almost every aspect of the celebration of the liturgy.
Those involved in this ministry are boys and girls in fifth grade through high school
who have received their First Communion.
Servers usually are scheduled for three to four liturgies per month which includes
a combination of weekday and weekend liturgies.
If other family members are serving in a liturgical or catechetical ministry on the weekend,
their service schedules can be ‘linked’ for the same or compatible times.
Schedules are emailed to the parents, posted on the parish website,
in the school and religious education offices, at the parish center, posted on the church liturgy bulletin board and in the altar server vesting area.
Training is usually offered twice a year.
Training for this Ministry begins with an Orientation for parents and their trainee.
There are six sessions - four for weekend liturgy and two for weekday liturgy.
Each session allows each server to learn and experience the role of
all four positions for the Sunday liturgy
Sessions Topics
Sunday Liturgy
Session I Server Responsibilities; Quiz on vessels, their vestments, Sacred Books, Linens; Setting Credence Table; Postures; Positions;
Entrance Procession – all 4 roles
Session II Set Up for Mass, Credence Table Review; Entrance Procession; Responses; When & where to sit, stand and kneel; Gospel Procession,
Cross Leading Children’s Liturgy of the Word Procession; Restore
Session III Set up for Mass & Review processions; Altar Setting; Reception and Preparation of Gifts; Peace Greeting and movement; Cross leading assembly for Communion; Communion; Restore; Alb Fitting
Session IV Set Up for Mass & Review of everything once; Pyx (for Sick); Candle care and Maintenance; Recessional
Weekday Liturgy
Session V Chapel Orientation; Weekday Procedures; Set Up in Chapel, Restore
Session VI Dry Run thru weekday liturgy 3-4 times; Restore
If you have a young person who is interested in this ministry pick up a registration form at the
A full complement providing support for the Altar Server Ministry, Adults or Teens consists of the following:
1. Maintain the sign in sheets/attendance; compile stats.
2. Publish outstanding servers in the bulletin, school newletter and prep newsletter 3 times a year (similar article is fine – pictures wonderful plus!);
a. Send notification of concern card to servers who have problems with their serving commitment
3. Maintain notification/reminders for alb cleaning, alb concerns
4. Training Team for altar servers
5. Review schedules for accuracy prior to publication
Need alb cleaning instructions here
Need picture of vessels, linens page
Need picture of some altar servers