Altar Servers

All young parishioners in grades 4 through 12 are invited to become Altar Servers. Altar servers assist the clergy in the performance of all Sacred Ceremonies at the Sunday, Holy Day liturgies. Their responsibilities include:

• Carrying the thurible

• Bearing the cross and candles

• Assisting with Holy Water

• Assisting with water, wine, and offertory gifts

• Assisting with sacred books (Roman Missal, Book of the Chair)

All Altar Servers are required to attend a training session before being scheduled to serve Mass. Servers are expected to take responsibility for showing up when scheduled, arriving at least 10 minutes before Mass, dressing neatly, and serving with utmost reverence. This is an important ministry which welcomes all who are willing to make this special commitment to serve at the Altar of the Lord.

Click here to view the new Altar Server Brochure.

General Information

The information on the following pages was created as an educational resource for children who currently serve or, who wish to serve as an Altar Server in our parish. It is our intention to provide you with all the information you need to perform your duties to the best of your ability. We hope you find it beneficial.

The altar server ministry is very important and you will be making a serious commitment to your parish family. Any boy or girl at least 9 years old is invited to become an altar server. Like all calls to ministry, it is God who makes the invitation. God calls you to help our parish worship by being an altar server. The server is the priest and deacon’s right hand helper. Servers are to perform their duties in a sincere and reverent manner. This is rightly expected of them by God and his people. Your attentiveness to the words and actions of the Mass will assure that the liturgy will unfold in a smooth and prayerful manner for all. This will be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

Much of the information is general in nature and can be applied to both Churches in our parish. The information that is specific to either Our Lady of Mercy Church or St. Thomas More Church is separated under those headings.

Do you still have questions that have not been answered or, is there something that you are not clear on? If so, you can email your questions to us at joe.gerardi@moremercy.org.