Youth altar servers

Youth Altar Servers plays a crucial role at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Altar servers have a privileged place in the Mass, for it is not only a duty but a great honor. They experience, very personally, that Jesus Christ is present during Mass. No other lay person gets to be that close to Jesus!

Servers perform a variety of duties that help ensure the smooth running of the Mass and create a reverent atmosphere in the church. Primarily this ministry supports the priest in the celebration of the Church’s liturgical life by assisting at parish worship services. Youth Altar Servers serve at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday Mass (during the SMA school year), 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass, as well as the 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Sunday Masses and other special liturgical celebrations.

Servers assist the priest by preparation of the sacred vessels and objects before Mass, carrying the cross, processional candles, and other liturgical objects during processions, holding the prayer book for the priest when he is not at the altar, presenting the bread, wine, and water to the altar during the preparation of gifts, washing the priest’s hands, and assisting during the Eucharistic prayer.

Members of this ministry are selected from any youth parishioner who has received the Sacrament of First Communion and who demonstrates a desire to serve at the altar and to participate more deeply in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Through their service, Youth Altar Servers are closely united to the heavenly banquet of the Lamb of God and serve as visible witnesses of reverence, devotion, and prayer for the assembled congregation. All servers carry out their responsibilities with care, dignity, and attentiveness, in accordance with their training and under the guidance of the pastor and ministry leaders.

The goals of this ministry are to train and encourage the servers to:

-increasingly embrace of the beauty of the Mass. (not just the duties but the Why)
-mentor each other and thereby continue to grow in their faith.
-discern God’s will for them.
-adopt a desire for service and commitment to the ministry. (along with their parents)

The server schedule is prepared every three months. Three servers assist at each Mass. Specifically in the roles of Cross Bearer, Priest Assist and Bell Ringer.

Youth Altar Servers Coordinator: 
youthaltarservers@stmichaelscatholic.com