2 minute read
Getting Our Youth Involved in the Faith Through the Altar Server Ministry
Incoming eighth-grade student Isabella Diaz just recently reached an important stewardship landmark — her 100th Mass as a St. Philip Neri altar server! Looking back on her now three and a half years of service, Isabella admits that she was initially hesitant about the ministry, intimidated by taking on such an important and public role. Yet, her equal desire to serve won out and she’s been joyfully volunteering ever since.
“Like many young servers, I definitely felt unsure at first,” Isabella says. “I wanted to altar serve a lot, but when it came to me finally being old enough, I felt a little scared. But it has been such a good experience and only good things come from it. There is no reason to be afraid. Everyone is there to welcome and help you.”
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Isabella says that she enjoys altar serving for many reasons. She likes meeting and getting to know other young people from the parish, forming relationships she might not have had the opportunity to build otherwise. She enjoys getting to know the priests and deacons on a more personal level. And lastly, she loves the way it transforms her liturgical experience as she becomes a more active participant in the Mass.
“I think it makes me pay attention a lot more,” Isabella says. “I know what is supposed to be going on and I pay more attention. This helps me deepen my faith and listen better, which makes me have a better relationship with Jesus.”
Current Altar Server Ministry coordinator Anne Jones says that she’s witnessed similar effects in the other servers, including her own son. She loves how altar serving gives parish youth an up-close view of the Mass, helping them appreciate the liturgical nuances and planting lasting seeds of faith.
“It’s a great way for youth to get involved and be part of the Church,” Anne says. “It’s a great opportunity to be up-close for key moments and be more intimately involved. I think it’s also a nice way to promote vocations from a young age — to familiarize them with different parts of the Mass and maybe put a little spark of interest, especially for young boys.”
The Altar Server Ministry is open to any boy or girl who has received their First Communion and is mature enough for this special privilege. Prior to beginning, new servers participate in a training session which walks them through things like dress code and ministry expectations, as well as the actual duties performed by them within the Mass. Older, experienced servers are typically invited to these trainings so as to model the behaviors and tasks for new servers. Isabella says this has been something that she has really enjoyed doing, taking on that mentorship role for the younger boys and girls.
“It’s really nice to see the next group coming up,” Isabella says. “It’s nice to see some of the younger kids wanting to help and I’m really happy to be able to meet and help them.”
After completing their training, servers are then scheduled for their preferred Mass times. Anne says ideally, there are three servers per Mass — partnering up younger, less-experienced servers with veteran servers.
Parents with youth interested in serving may contact Anne Jones at spnatlarserving@gmail.com.
