Parish of St Luke (Twinbrook)

Altar Servers (Guild of St Stephen)

T

his ministry is open to those who have received their First Holy Communion and completed a period of training.  Servers assist at Mass (including Weddings and Funerals) and other liturgical events such as Benediction and Stations of the Cross.    

One church document says, “It is altogether laudable to maintain the noble custom by which boys or youths, customarily termed servers, provide service of the altar after the manner of acolytes, and receive catechesis regarding their function in accordance with their power of comprehension.  Nor should it be forgotten that a great number of sacred ministers over the course of the centuries have come from among boys such as these.  Associations for them, including also the participation and assistance of their parents, should be established or promoted, and in such a way greater pastoral care will be provided for the ministers.  Girls or women may also be admitted to this service of the altar, at the discretion of the diocesan Bishop and in observance of the established norms.” 
-
Redemptionis Sacramentum paragraph 47 

Duties of an Altar Server

These include:

The MC - Master of Ceremonies is one of the most experienced servers who is able to take charge of the whole ceremony. This server will also deal with problems that arise in the Mass. If done well then no one will know that any problems have occurred.

The Thurifer is a senior server who will carry the Thurible and have it ready as required during the liturgy.  Care must always be taken as a smouldering charcoal fire is used in the thurible which reaches extremely high temperatures.

The Cross-bearer carries the processional cross at the beginning and end of the liturgy.

Acolytes carry candles at the beginning and end of Mass, as well as at the gospel.

The Boat Bearer holds the boat which contains incense that is used in the thurible. It is their duty to make sure that the boat is available when required by the Thurifer.

The Book bearer has the duty of holding the prayer book of the priest at the beginning and end of the liturgy. It is this server’s responsibility to make sure that the book is open on the correct page and is held in such a way that the priest can read it with ease.

The Bell ringer will ring the bells at the consecration. Care is required to ring them at the appropriate moment and to ring them at the correct volume and duration.

The Gift collector has the duty of leading the procession of the gifts into the church. They also take the collection and place it in front of the Altar.

For More Information
‚    Contact:   Sr Rosarie                                 (        Phone:      028 9061 8987

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St Luke’s Presbytery, Twinbrook Road, Dunmurry, BT17 0RP, (+44 (0) 28 9061 9459
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