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Email a FriendBoth my older boys serve (13 and 11). The older started serving at 7, the younger at 9.
They serve almost every week at our small parish (TLM) and are disappointed when they aren’t on the schedule. Both belong to the Archconfraternity of St Stephen. The older is training to be MC and the younger working on acolyte.
I am very proud to see my boys serving. It is especially emotional to see my younger son up there as he has Asperger’s and most people would never think he would be able to serve, yet he does, and does it well.
Serving with a Smile
Altar Serving has benefited our family greatly
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Faith on Saturday, August 30, 2008 11:09 AM
Earlier this week, my 8th grade son Adam attended part one of his annual two part Altar Server Training. On a blazing hot Fresno afternoon, after seven hours of sitting in a classroom and longing for a break, Adam and multiple serving colleagues met with our Coordinator to be briefed on the latest nuances in their duties in serving at the Lord’s altar.
I feel blessed beyond measure that both of my boys have had the opportunity to participate as Altar Servers. At our parish, students are eligible in the fifth grade to serve, but we Hendeys wait until 6th grade to ensure an appropriate level of behavior and responsibility level. We are blessed to have an abundance of students who want to serve, so most teams only serve once per month. This year, Adam has been promoted to “Book” position so he will be vitally involved in the Mass. After a couple of years as “Candle”, he’s ready for his new role.
I’ve shared with my boys many times how proud I am that they are Altar Servers. Very few things can warm a mother’s heart like the sight of her son processing down the aisle at the beginning of Mass in Altar Server attire - they look so holy!!
I want my sons to serve for many reasons, but the following are some of the most compelling:
• Love of the Liturgy – In committing to their Altar Server duties, my boys truly participate in the Eucharist. They learn the order of the Mass, the aspects of the sanctuary, and the various altar vessels used in the Mass. My boys love serving, looking forward to each year’s “promotion” to a higher level of responsibility.
• Service to the Community – Through their Altar Serving roles, my boys contribute to the Body of Christ present in our parish. They learn that each area of ministry in the Mass is vital, from the greeters to the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. They see their role as essential and learn the importance of both commitment and of service to others.
• Healthy Relationships with Clergy – When I was growing up, my family had a very close relationship with our pastor. He was a frequent visitor in our home and a trusted friend. Today, I belong to a parish with 5,000 families in an era of dwindling vocations. The priests of my parish work round the clock to meet the needs of our community, but that feeling of closeness is not always present. Through Altar Serving, my sons have frequent interactions with our priests in a positive environment. If either of my boys is called to a priestly vocation, Altar Serving will surely be a fundamental step in their journey. If they are called to family life, their experience as servers will help them to foster a love of our faith in their own children.
A Catholic mom recently shared with me that prior to serving at Mass, she kneels with her sons in the Sacristy and prays for the presiding priest and for vocations in our Church. What a wonderful idea and a way to help our sons be open to their own unique vocational call in life.
Have you thanked the Altar Servers at your parish lately for their commitment to serving? Do you have a child who serves or is anxious to serve in the future? What has your child learned from volunteering as an Altar Server?
The following is a special prayer for Altar Servers:
Lord Jesus,
thank you for the opportunity
to serve You during the Holy Mass.
In Your Sacred Presence,
my heart is filled with joy and peace.
May Your Spirit always guide me
so I may grow in Your love
by the grace of the Heavenly Father.
Amen.
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Comments
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Posted by Michelle on Sunday, Aug 31, 2008 9:27 PM (EDT):
My son, who is now 12, started Altar Serving last year. It has been such a blessing in our life, thanks in part to our priest who trained the boys to be so reverent and have great liturgical tact. Now my son is so much more aware of what goes on at Mass and takes his job very seriously. He has served at a wedding and a funeral as well. Since he usually serves at the Sunday noon Mass once a month, we make the point of going to confession the Saturday before, just to emphasize the importance of serving at the Altar.
Posted by Patricia on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 9:38 PM (EDT):
Our 2 older sons are altar servers at our parish. They have come to realize what an enormous privilege & responsibility this is, for in the Eastern Catholic Churches, only priests, deacons & altar boys are permitted behind the iconostasis, which separates the altar from the sanctuary. We pray this may plant the seed for possible vocations to the priesthood!
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