Ask deacon mike
Every once in a while a child comes up and asks me how they can become an altar server. So, I would like to answer that question this month.
The Code of
Cannon Law propagated by the Late Pope John Paul II addresses the role of an
altar server in Cannon 1143. It
reads: For the purpose of assisting the work of the common priesthood of the
faithful, other particular ministries also exist, not consecrated by the
sacrament of Holy Orders (bishops, priests, deacons); their functions are determined
by the bishops, in accord with liturgical traditions and pastoral needs. “Servers, readers, commentators, and members
of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function”.
I bring this to your attention to emphasize the importance of servers at Mass. Like our lectors and choirs they hold a special position at Mass which is designed to make the Mass more meaningful to all who participate. In addition, being a server offers the individual many opportunities to interact with the priests and other members of the parish. The server also gains great insight to the liturgy which will be most helpful as they progress through life.
I was a server from the time I was in the 3rd grade until I graduated high school. During this time I learned what it meant to give some of my time for the sake of others. I leaned to love our priests and respect the needs of the church. In my secular life I often saw myself as a servant. As a manager I always felt it was my responsibility to meet the needs of those who worked for me by making sure they had what they needed to do their jobs. I am very proud that my three children were altar servers, also. My daughter, Mindy, was the first girl to serve Mass presided by the bishop of Columbus. (This bishop, James Griffin, would later ordain me to the order of deacon.)
We have been very blessed here at St. Philip to have a fine group of dedicated boys and girls, young men and women and even adults who have stepped forward to fill this important role. I have seen many of our servers continue their tenure all the way through graduation. In fact, this year we have seven servers and a lector who will graduate high school. I have had the opportunity to watch them grow into very responsible young men and women. I will miss them very much as they go on to college or other endeavors. We will honor their service to our parish on Sunday June 7, 2009 at the 9:30 AM Mass. At that same Mass we will also have a special investiture ceremony for new servers.
To be a server a boy or girl must be at least in the 4th grade. They must have made their 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist. They must attend Mass regularly with their families. They must be willing to lean to serve at Mass. In addition they must commit themselves to meeting their assignments. We will not allow a child to serve unless they have the expressed permission and support of parents or guardians.
If you have a child in our parish school or our PREP program they will soon receive a form for them to bring home to consider becoming an altar server. We will have a training session on the following Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM: May 24, May 30 and June 6. Each prospective server is required to attend two of the three sessions. A parent must also attend. The training sessions will last approximately 1 hour. It is important for parents to attend so that they can hear what we instruct their child thus enabling them to reinforce at home what is said at the training. We ask that the parent not drop off their child then leave.
I hope that you will join me and express your appreciation and gratitude to our altar servers. They do a great job.
If you have any questions about the Church, liturgy, sacraments or other related topics please send them to me. You can send a note to the rectory, drop it off in the collection or you can write me at deaconmikefranks@verizon.com. As always, I will keep your identity anonymous. God bless you and I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks