We see them every time we are at Mass: the altar servers who assist the priest. Many of us may have served as altar servers many years ago, and those who did know how vital these young girls and boys are to our clergy and to those attending Mass. As Ministry Coordinator Karina Miranda says, “The Altar Server Ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a ministry of faith, service, dedication, and spiritual growth. It serves God and the Church through active participation in the liturgy, and is a great way to involve kids in the Liturgy.”
The Altar Server Ministry emphasizes the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and helps young people understand the Mass, grow in faith, and serve the Church with devotion.
Karina emphasizes that the ministry helps the youth deepen their Catholic faith, develop a spirit of service, and understand the sacredness of the Eucharist. She adds, “Altar Servers learn how to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. We prepare our Altar Servers to serve with confidence, attentiveness, and reverence, and we recognize the importance of welcoming new Altar Servers into the Ministry. By encouraging and supporting those who are called to serve, we help create opportunities for more young people to become involved in this beautiful ministry.”
The Altar Server Ministry demonstrates that serving God requires commitment and responsibility. “When people see Altar Servers participating respectfully in the Mass,” says Karina, “they can recognize the importance of faith and service within the Church by bringing people together to worship, celebrating the sacraments, encouraging service, and promoting love, kindness, and compassion.” She would encourage our parish youth to consider serving as Altar Servers and Thurifers. “Serving in these ministries is more than serving at Mass; it’s a gift and a blessing, and it offers them an opportunity to grow in their faith, grow closer to God, and experience the Mass in a more meaningful way. It is a beautiful way to serve God and our parish community!”
Karina’s daughter, Riley, is a longtime altar server and has helped train over 100 of her peers to become altar servers! Riley looks forward to training many more and showing them how amazing the ministry is. Rising 5th graders through high school who have received First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are eligible to serve and will be trained at St. Francis of Assisi. They typically serve at least once per month, and annual formation training is also required. If you are interested in learning more about serving as an altar server or thurifer, please contact Karina Miranda at karinamiranda86@yahoo.com or 919-579-7299.