ALTAR SERVER PROCEDURES

July 28, 2006

1. Remember to be on time.

2. When you arrive at church:

A.  Go directly to the sacristy.

B.  Find an alb that fits you.  (Length should be just above your ankles.)

C.  Light candles (if you are serving by yourself).

D.  Put small cruet of water, cups, and bowls with hosts on the wooden table in the sanctuary.

E.  Put the hand-washing vessels and towel on the stone ledge

F.  Ask if there are any other details that need your attention.

G.  Light the processional candles.

H.  Go to the back of the church.

3. During the procession:

A.  Walk slowly with the cross, followed by the candles.  (Wait until the congregation starts singing the words to the opening song.)

B.  Carry the lanterns and cross straight and reverently.

C.  When you arrive at the altar, bow together and put the lanterns in their place next to the pulpit and the cross goes into the stand.

D.   Go to your seats.  The lantern bearers sit with the priest or deacon and the cross bearer sits with the lector.

4. During Mass:

A.  Pay attention and participate in the entire Mass.

B.  At the offertory, when the priest or deacon gets up to receive the gifts, you move the lanterns to the altar and put the large book on the altar.  You also move all the cups and bowls with hosts, along with the small cruet of water, to the plastic cover on the altar.

C.  Wait for the priest or deacon to give the cruet of water back to you.

D.  Bring the hand washing bowl and towel up the stairs and pour the water over the priest’s or deacon's hands.

E.  Take your places at the bottom of the stairs on either side of the altar.

F.  Do not return to your chairs until after the priest or deacon has closed the tabernacle

G.  At the end of Mass, as the priest or deacon goes up to reverence the altar, get the cross from its holder and get the lanterns out of their holders.

H.  Bow to the altar and leave with the priest or deacon.

5. After Mass:

A.  Pay attention and participate in the entire Mass.

B.  At the offertory, when the priest or deacon gets up to receive the gifts, you move the lanterns to the altar and put the large book on the altar.  You also move all the cups and bowls with hosts, along with the small cruet of water, to the plastic cover on the altar.

C.  Wait for the priest or deacon to give the cruet of water back to you.

D.  Bring the hand washing bowl and towel up the stairs and pour the water over the priest’s or deacon's hands.

E.  Take your places at the bottom of the stairs on either side of the altar.

F.  Do not return to your chairs until after the priest or deacon has closed the tabernacle

G.  At the end of Mass, as the priest or deacon goes up to reverence the altar, get the cross from its holder and get the lanterns out of their holders.

H.  Bow to the altar and leave with the priest or deacon.

6. Congratulations!  You’re done!