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Altar Servers

- Serving at the Altar is open to all boys and girls of the parish. 3rd & 4th Graders represent our Junior Servers, who commonly carry the processional candles at Mass and continue to learn how to server. Those in 5th grade and beyond represent our Senior Servers who competently assist the priest at daily and weekend Mass with all aspects of serving. Those in 7th grade or older wear the surplus with red piping recognizing their years of service. They also help train the Jr. Servers and assist with special needs like incense, holy water and special events. All servers in 3^rd grade through 7^th grade will be expected to attend at least two training sessions annually.
- For more information about altar servers please contact Mrs. Lisette Shields at [email protected]
- Links
  
  Altar Server Scheduler
  
  Altar Server Procedures
- Sign up to become an Altar Sever
  
  It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God. Accordingly, Servers have a solemn responsibility to do their assigned duties with dignity and reverence. Our parish has Altar Servers (boys and girls), who have received the sacrament of First Holy Communion.
- Server Information
  
  Servers must arrive 15 minutes prior to mass starting
  
  Servers must wear nice shoes (no slides, crocks, flipflops or heels)
  
  Servers must find a sub if he/she cannot serve at their assigned mass time
  
  Servers will fill in at mass, if we are short servers (pulled from pews)
- The maximum number of form submissions has been reached. This form is currently not available.
  
  Parent's Information
  
  Parent Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Alt. Phone Number Please enter valid data.
  
  Home Address Please enter valid data.
  
  Child(ren) You would like to sign up to be an atlar server REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Child 1
  
  Child's Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Age REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 2
  
  Child's Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Age REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 3
  
  Child's Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Age REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child 4
  
  Child's Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Age REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Does your child(ren) attend faith formation with the church or attend St. Raphael School? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What Mass(s) would you prefer your child(ren) to serve? (Please choose at least two weekend Masses) REQUIRED
  Choose one or more options
  Saturday 4:30pm Sunday 8am Sunday 9:30am Sunday 11:30am Sunday 5:30pm Wednesday 7pm Please fill out this field.
  
  My Child(ren) are able to serve more than once a month Yes No
  
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Altar Server FAQ
- How do we sign up to be an altar server?
  To sign up as an altar server, please contact the coordinator at [email protected]. You will be asked for your contact information and your mass preferences. Once your child has gone through an official training session which are offered four times during the school year, then they will be added to the group email list and to the schedule.
- How many times will they get to serve?
  At least once a month at a regular weekend mass.
- How many servers are assigned at a mass?
  For a regular weekend mass, we assign 4 to 6 servers. A regular weekday mass usually has 2. The weekly school mass usually has 4 to 6 servers.
- We are at a weekend mass with only 4 servers? Can we still serve?
  Yes! This would be considered a “Fill In”. Please let the assigned servers have first choice on the roles.
- What do we do if we're unable to attend our assigned mass?
  Then you will need to find a server to take their place. We call this a “sub” or “substitute”. To request a sub, please find the latest email that was sent to the group, click “respond to all”, and then simply state the date, time, role, and server name. We need a sub for Johnny at the 8:00 am mass on 06/12/2017. He was assigned the Acolyte/Cross role. Who can substitute? No need to go into too much detail. Please let the community know asap that you need a sub.
- If we can substitute for someone, what should we do?
  Please reply to the substitute request email by “respond to all”. Simply state who can substitute. Example: “Patricia can substitute for Johnny” This will inform the community that a sub has been found and also give an opportunity for us to update the signup sheets in the server room.
- When should servers show up for their assigned mass?
  Servers should arrive 15 minutes before a regular weekend or weekday mass. For special liturgical events and funerals, servers should arrive 30 minutes before mass. During this time, the servers will get into the uniform, help the Sacristan, to setup the altar, and recite the team prayer. For special events, the sacristan, deacon, or priest might review the procedures with the servers.
- If we are at a mass and they need servers, can we serve?
  Yes! Simply have your server dress in the uniform and then reverently join the other servers on the side of the altar.
- Who manages the weekday server's schedule?
  The school manages the weekday server schedule during the regular school year. The altar server coordinator will create the schedule when the school is not in session, which include the summer schedule.
- How do I request changes to our mass preferences?
  Please notify the altar server coordinator. They need to know what masses you cannot make and which masses you prefer. Also, please indicate if a family member has a regular shift as a Eucharistic minister, lector, or usher. Although we do our best to accommodate your preferences, sometimes you will be assigned to masses that are not your first preference. We have 26 opportunities to fill every weekend and some masses are more popular than others.
- What do servers wear for clothing?
  The goal is to show reverence and respect for God and not be a distraction. We are not going to tell the parents explicitly how to dress your children for mass. But will make recommendations. Clothing Boys – Dark slacks, shoes, tall socks, nice collar shirt. Girls – Skirt or slacks, blouse, nice flat shoes ballet or dress style.
- What do servers wear for shoes?
  The goal is to show reverence and respect for God and not be a distraction. We are not going to tell the parents explicitly how to dress your children for mass. But will make recommendations. NO SANDALS, NO FLIP FLOPS, NO CROCS, NO LIGHTS, NO NEON, and NO BRIGHT COLORS. Shoes should not be distracting and be safe. Shoes can be a bigger distraction than clothes. Also, some shoes can be dangerous on the altar stairs, like Flip Flops and Sandals. Other shoes, like Flip Flops and Crocs can be noisy.
- What about hair?
  If you have long hair, please tie it back into a pony tail with a plain hair tie (no bright colors). This is very important for servers in the torch bearer role. Remember - The goal is still to show reverence and respect for God and not be a distraction.
- What is the role and responsibilities of a Book Trainer?
  Arrive 15 min before mass Gather servers, start prayer before & after mass Assign roles to servers Review roles with new servers Help servers get dressed before mass and make sure vestments are put away properly Help set up altar Encourage servers to participate in mass, be respectful, prayer hands, not talking & not using the bathroom during the consecration of the host Attend & help with 2 required training If not able to serve seek out other book trainer to replace your spot.
- What is a Book Trainer?
  A book trainer is are current altar servers grade 7 & up, who underwent special requried training to facilitate the altar servers at each mass. They can be identified by gold vestments they will wear during Mass.
- I am a current altar server, I need a refresher