Carolyn Diaz
caridiaz@cox.net
504-513-2323

             Ministry of Altar Server is an excellent way to learn discipline, accountability, and teamwork. It is also an opportunity to participate in the very important liturgies of the Church. Altar Servers form one of the liturgical ministries of the Parish – boys and girls (4th grade and older), men and women – who have very specific tasks to perform during liturgies. There is a brief training period in preparation for service at the Lord’s Table and more experience is gained as the senior server continues to guide the newcomers.
              Altar servers are grouped in teams. They receive in mail with a bimonthly schedule in order to know when they are to serve. When they come to serve Mass, they also sign into the attendance chart which is posted in the sacristy.
              If you are interested in becoming a Server at the Lord’s Table, please contact Ms. Carolyn Diaz or fill out the online form on the left side of this page, 

I. GENERAL INFORMATION: 

• The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass.  This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy. 
• Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense (when required), present the bread, wine and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest and deacon as necessary. 
• Servers should be seated in the chairs located on the side of the altar. 
• Altar servers are on duty from the time they enter the sanctuary at the start of the Mass until the end when they extinguish the candles and hang up their albs in the sacristy. (NO ALBS SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE FLOOR.) 
• Altar servers must be in the 4^th grade or older to be eligible to serve.  Adults are encouraged to serve at the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass.

•  The primary positions during Mass are:  standing, sitting and kneeling.  When standing and kneeling, the servers should have their hands in the praying position.  When sitting the hands should be in the lap; and, at all times, the server should sit up straight

• Servers should wear light colored or solid color clothes.  Whatever you wear underneath an alb will show through.  Dress (decent) shoes should be worn whenever possible.  No dirty keds, sports footwear, flip-flops, etc.  Make sure your hair is combed, your appearance is neat and your hands are clean.

• All servers are expected to be in church 15 minutes before Mass begins.
• Upon arrival, the server should dress in the alb and cincture (rope belt).  The cincture should be the same color as the priest’s vestments.  Ask is not sure.
• Place the bells on the steps of the sanctuary
• Place the Roman Missal (the priest’s prayer book) behind the priest’s chair
• Light all appropriate candles—about 10 minutes before Mass time.  If you need help, ask another server or a minister to help you.
• Proper conduct is expected at all times.

• The cross-bearer will lead the procession into and from the sanctuary.  After entering the sanctuary, the cross-bearer will place the cross into its stand.  Never genuflect when carrying the cross or the candles in the procession.
• The candle-bearers follow the cross-bearer in procession.  After reverencing the altar, the candle-bearers place the candles on each side of the altar and then go to their places.

• During the GLORIA (Lord have mercy during Lent), the appointed server will go up the steps, pick up the Roman Missal and wait for the priest to say, Let us pray.
• When the priest says, Let us pray, the server will go to the priest’s side and hold the book open for the priest to read the prayer.  Stand still.  When the priest has completed the prayer, close the book and replace it on the table.  Return to your chair slowly and remain seated for the readings. All stand with the congregation for the reading of the Gospel.

• After the General Intercessions and while the collection is being taken up, all servers are to prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist by bringing to the altar the following:
  1. The Corporal - unfold it and place it in the center of the altar.  The Corporal is usually on the altar.
  2. TheRoman Missal – place it to the left side of the Corporal.
  3. The Chalice and Purificator and all Communion Cups – place them on the right side of the Corporal
  4. Remove the book stand and place it on the table
  5. All servers return to their places (chairs), and do so slowly—no running up or down the steps.

• The cross-bearer goes to the back of the church and waits for the gift procession.  When the ushers have the procession ready, the cross-bearer slowly leads the gift procession down the center aisle to the priest.
• As the gift-bearers approach the altar, the priest moves down to the front of the altar steps.  At this time, the servers join the priest on either side and receive the gifts from the priest.  Do not walk in front of the pries; go around.
• The priest (goes first) and servers return to the altar carrying the gifts—bread and wine go on the altar on the Corporal and the collection basket goes on the little table next to the ambo.
• Two servers remain on the altar ready to assist with the water and wine.  The other servers go to their places.
• After the priest pours the wine into the chalice and communion cups, the server removes the wine decanter from the altar and places it on the credence table. 
• The server then gets the cruet of water from the altar and prepares for the washing of the hands.

• The servers get the water, bowl and towel and assist in the Washing of the Hands by pouring the water over the priest’s hands and handing him the towel to dry them.Un-fold the towel before handing it to the priest.  At the completion of the washing of the hands, the servers bow to the priest, return the water, bowl and towel to the table and go back to their chairs.  All movements should be very slow and reverent.  Proper conduct is expected for all servers.

• During the Eucharistic Prayer, the servers sing or recite the responses along with the congregation.  When it is time to kneel, the servers slowly move to kneel on the sanctuary steps.
• Bell Ringing – The first server rings the bells at the consecration of the bread, and then passes the bell on to the next server who rings the bells at the consecration of the wine.  The bells should be rung loud enough to alert the congregation of what is taking place.
• After the AMEN at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer, all altar servers stand and pray the Our Father with the congregation.

• The servers exchange the Sign of Peace.  For Communion, ALL servers line up in the center aisle facing the altar.  After receiving Holy Communion, the servers return to the side steps for a short period of prayer.
• The servers then return to the altar to clear it of everything except the Chalice and Corporal, placing all items on the credence table, except the Roman Missal.
• The Roman Missal is placed on the table behind the priest’s chair so it is ready for the closing prayer.
• Once the altar is cleared, all servers return to their places—slowly and reverently.

• After everyone has received Holy Communion and all Eucharistic Ministers have returned their vessels to the altar, the priest places the remaining hosts in the Tabernacle.  The priest (or deacon) will purify all the sacred vessels after Holy Communion.  The server will assist in this rite.
• The server picks up the water and offers the water to the priest.  The priest might have the server pour a little water into the Chalice.  After the purification of the vessels, the server places the water on the table and assists in returning all vessels to the table.  Do not stack any vessels; it is better to remove them one by one, slowly.  The server then returns to the chairs and awaits the Closing Prayer.

• All sit until the priest says:  “Let us pray.”  The server gets the Roman Missal and holds it for the priest for the Closing Prayer.  The server then returns the book to the table and joins the other servers.  All servers remain standing, ready for the recessional.

• Extinguish the candles using the proper tool which is located in the sacristy.  DO NOT BLOW OUT the candles.  Return the altar candles to the sacristy for the next Mass.

• Remove your alb; and, please HANG IT UPIN ITS PROPER PLACE—never on the floor.