Altar servers assist the priest at the celebration of Mass and serve at other liturgical events. Duties may involve everything from carrying the cross or candles, holding the books used at Mass, preparing incense, joining in prayers, and ringing the bells during the Offertory. Boys and girls, generally 4th grade and above, are eligible for this ministry. Exceptions to the age requirement may be made for sibling servers and children with high motivation and maturity. Some servers begin in the third grade and some even at the junior or senior high levels. Altar servers must have had the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Training is emphasized in the Fall. Altar Servers assist at weekend Liturgies, Holy Days, special liturgies, and Stations of the Cross during Lent. An altar server may serve every other week or as needed. They need to arrive 15 minutes before the Mass they are serving. In addition to growing closer to Christ and His Church, the servers gain tremendous confidence and poise in being in front of hundreds of people even though some may have been initially reluctant or even fearful.
Altar Server Ministry Contact Information:
Fr. Salvator Stefula, T.O.R. , 813-839-5337 ext. 115, email