All children in the fifth through eighth grade of St. Mark's parish are invited to take part in this important ministry.  For more information contact Fr.Hambrough 314-743-8609.

ALTAR SERVERS' MANUAL

Introduction:
Thank you for agreeing to be an altar server at St. Mark Parish. Through this important ministry you will have the opportunity to help make our liturgies, especially our celebration of Mass, more beautiful and spiritually uplifting. This booklet is meant to be a guide as you prepare for this awesome ministry and a resource as you begin to carry out your duties as an altar server at St. Mark Parish.

Preparation:
1. Take the time to arrive between 10  to 15 minutes before Mass. Do not forget to initial the schedule so that we know that you were present or that you were substituting for someone.

2. Look at the calendar to see what color cincture you are to wear. For example: if is November 29th you would look for November 29th on the calendar. If the number that indicates the day is purple then you would wear purple. Color code is as follows: Black=White, Green=Green, Red=Red, and Purple=Purple.

3. Keep in mind that as you help set things up for Mass to reverence the altar and tabernacle anytime you cross in front of them. You reverence the tabernacle before and after Mass by genuflecting towards it. During Mass you ignore the tabernacle and focus on the altar. You reverence the altar by taking the time to pause and to reverently bow towards it.

4. Make sure to light the altar candles before Mass.

5. When all the servers have arrived decide who will be crucifer (cross-bearer) and who will ring the bells.

Entrance Procession & Liturgy of the Word
1. The crucifer leads the procession down the main aisle with the other two servers walking two to three pews behind him or her. Remember to enter and walk at a pace that is a little slower than your normal walking pace.

2. When the servers reach the foot of the sanctuary they stop and spread out. The crucifer should move to the right with the other two servers flanking the priest so that one is on his right and the other one is on his left. See the illustration below…

3. All servers genuflect when the priest does except the crucifer who simply bows his or her head.

4. The crucifer sits on the chair to the priest’s right (while looking at the priest) and the other two servers sit to the left of the credence table.

5. The crucifer holds the Sacramentary (“The Book”) for the priest each and every time the priest says the words “Let us pray.”

Liturgy of the Eucharist
1. After the General Intercessions the priest will say a prayer and he will sit down. When he sits down the ushers will begin to take up the collection (if there is one) and the servers will begin setting up the altar.

2. The crucifer will go and take the Book of the Gospel stand off the altar if it was used and place it on the bottom shelf of the credence table. He or she will then go and place the Sacramentary on the altar and then return and sit back down next to the priest (unless there are only two servers. If there are only two servers he or she will stay and help the other server set the altar.)

3. The servers should begin setting the altar by bringing over the chalice with a purificator, the pall and corporal on top to the altar. Make sure to place the corporal in the center of the altar with the little red cross so that it will be on the edge closest to the priest. The corporal should always be handled gently and respectfully because it may have small particles of the Blessed Sacrament on it. Place the pall on the upper left hand corner of the corporal and the chalice and purificator to the right of the corporal.

4. In addition to the priest’s chalice the servers need to place the extra communion cups on the altar to the right of the priest’s chalice and the cruet of water. (If Fr. Vitali is having the Mass only place the cruet of water on the altar and not the extra chalices) Please see image below…

5. Once the altar is prepared correctly then all the servers should return to their chairs until the priest is ready to go down and receive the gifts at the front steps of the sanctuary.

6. When the priest is ready to get the gifts, the servers go to the front of the sanctuary and stand next to the priest. It works best if there is a server in on each side of the priest. The priest will then hand you one of the gifts. Unless instructed wait for the priest to turn and head back to the altar before you turn and head back to the altar.

7. Take your gifts and place them on the altar but not on the corporal.

8. After the priest has said a few short prayers he will walk over to the servers to have his hands washed. To do this correctly one server should hold the bowl and the water and the other server should hold the towel. If there is only one server the server should drape the towel over his or her arm in addition to holding the bowl and pouring the water.

9. After everything has been taken care of for this part of the Mass the servers walk to the front of the sanctuary and stand in front of the kneeling pads facing the altar. When the congregation stands the servers stand and when the congregation kneel the servers kneel.

10. The server in charge of ringing the bells will do so at the following three times…
A. When the priest’s puts his hands together and stretches them out over the gifts.
B. Right after the priest says “this is my body… do this in memory of me.” The priest will lift the host up for everyone to see.
C. Right after the priest says “this is my blood… do this in memory of me.” The priest will lift up the chalice for everyone to see.

11. At the Sign of Peace the servers will offer each other a sign of peace and then walk up on the left side of the altar and offer the priest a sign of peace. After this the servers should place the extra purificators on the altar.

Concluding Rite & Post Mass
1. After communion the priest will say “Let us pray” and the crucifer should bring the Sacramentary to the priest. After the closing prayer the priest will close the book and the crucifer should go and get the processional cross.

2. The priest will give everyone a final blessing to end the Mass and the closing song will start. When the priest goes to kiss the altar the servers should go to the front of the altar and take up their places like when they walked in.

3. When the priest genuflects then the servers should also genuflect (except crucifer who bows his head). The crucifer then slowly leads the procession out of the Church. Remember to genuflect at the same time as the priest and not before.

4. After Mass make sure that the priest has nothing else for you to do and then take off your alb and cincture. Make sure to hang them up

Expectations: As an altar server of St. Mark’s parish I agree to the following expectations.
1. I will be in the sacristy 10 minutes before the beginning of Mass.

2. I will find a substitute for the times that I am scheduled and cannot make it. I will also be willing to substitute at the last minute if the priest is in need of a server at Mass.

3. I will wear appropriate shoes to Mass (i.e. tennis shoes) and for safety reason will avoid wearing flip-flops on days that I am supposed to serve.

4. I will do my best to pay attention during Mass and I will not serve as a distraction to others during Mass by my behavior.

5. I will sign-in every time I serve and I am aware that my attendance will go a long way in deciding on whether or not I will be server at weddings or funerals. I also understand that the primary reason for serving is to praise God and to help the parish community worship better.

ALTAR SERVER’S PRAYER
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