Introduction: Thank you for taking the time to serve at St. Matthew’s. Since your role is important to our Sunday worship, we feel that it is in your and our best interest to train you well. The following is a guideline for how you are to perform your function.

Proper clothing: Servers should come to church properly clothed. Long pants for males and long pants, dress or skirt for females are expected. Dress shoes are to be worn; the wearing of athletic shoes is not allowed. Female servers are to have their hair pulled back if their hair touches their shoulders. No one should chew gum while attending Mass.

Albs: The albs are placed in the closet according to size. Check the top of the alb to find the size. The alb should come down to the top of the server’s shoes. Each server must wear an alb with cincture hanging to the left side. After Mass, hang the alb on the correct hanger and place in proper numerical order. Place the cincture on the rod.

Arrival time: Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before Mass. This allows time to get vested and set up everything. If you are in the congregation and notice no one has shown up 7-10 minutes before Mass, check the sacristy to see if servers are needed. If you have not arrived at least 7 minutes before Mass, substitutes will serve for you and you will be marked absent for the week. PLEASE SIGN IN WHEN YOU ARRIVE. If you have three absences in a row, you will be called to determine whether you are still interested in serving at St. Matthew.

Preparation for Mass: Check to make sure all the proper items are set up for Mass. Remember that during Mass people are watching you. They do make comments to the priests about how well or poorly you have served. Refrain from laughing or talking while serving. You are expected to respond to the priest and sing with the congregation throughout the Mass.

 

Objects need for Mass:
 

Altar candles: these are to be lit before Mass

Processional cross: a server carries the cross in and out of Mass.

Processional candles: two servers carry the candles in and out of Mass.

Credence table: table near the altar that holds the processional candles and items used for Mass

Chalice: gold cup; each priest has his own; they are located in the closet in the sacristy.

Paten: the gold plate used to hold the host.

Purificator: the cloth used to cleanse the chalice.

Ciboria: gold cups used to hold the hosts.

Corporal: the folded cloth on which the chalice and paten rest on the altar.

Finger bowl and pitcher: round bowl and pitcher used for washing the hands.

Finger towel: the small towel used to dry the priest’s hands.

Cruets: small pitchers used to hold the water and wine

Large host: used by the priest; kept in a small gold container in the drawer marked "crosses and pyxes"

Sacramentary: the book that sits on the altar; it contains the prayers for the Mass

Carafe: large glass pitcher used for the wine when Communion is distributed under both species.

 

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Format of the Mass

Procession and Recession: The cross bearer leads, followed by the two candles, the lector and then the priest, accompanied by the fourth server ("side kick"). Note: The cross and candles lead the procession/recession unless incense is used. If incense is used, the incense bearer (thurifer) leads.

When you are processing to the altar, it is not a race. Walk slowly. Continue to the first step of the altar; bow your head before the altar and then move together to place your candles and cross. The cross is placed in the stand by the altar. The fourth server bows with the priest and then moves around the rights side of the altar to his/her seat, to the priest’s left. The cross bearer sits to the right of the priest. The candle bearers sit to the right of the cross bearer.

POSTURE is very important when serving. Servers can distract the congregation in their prayer if correct posture is not used. Hands should be folded in one of two positions: locked together at the chest or pressed together at the chest. Servers are to sit with their legs together, feet flat on the floor, and hands resting in the lap. The alb should cover the front of your legs and not hanging to one side when you are seated.

If two servers need to move, they are to move in unison. Do not move without your partner.

The book with the opening prayer and the prayer after communion is held by the cross bearer for the priest. The book is behind the cross bearer’s chair.

Incense can be used at the reading of the Gospel or the preparation of gifts.

Preparation of the altar/collection time: The candle bearers take their candles to the gift table (at the rear of the Church) when the ushers reach the fifth pew from the front. The cross bearer takes the chalice to the altar. The candle bearers begin moving down the aisle when the people bringing the gifts are ready. Do not wait for the priest to move to the front of the altar. The cross bearer and fourth server accompany the priest to receive the gifts. The collection is given to the fourth server who places it on the top step in front of the altar. The wine is given to the cross bearer. The fourth server moves to his place behind the altar. The cross bearer takes the wine and picks up the water cruet from the credence table. He/she takes the two cruets to the priest at the altar. The candle bearers put their candles back on the credence table and pick up the finger bowl, pitcher and towel. They take these to the priest after the priest has finished with the water and wine. When everyone has completed their tasks, they stand behind the altar. If incense is used, it will be used between the water/wine pouring and the washing of the hands.At the sign of peace, the priest will move toward the servers.

Remain in your places for communion. After the priest and eucharistic ministers leave to distribute communion, the servers return to their seats.

When communion is finished, the server closest to the credence table takes the water cruet to the priest. He/she pours water into the chalice and the priest cleanses it. When the priest is finished with the water, return the cruet to the credence table and then return to the altar to collect the chalice and paten. Return them to the credence table. The corporal, Sacramentary and microphone are left on the altar.

The cross bearer holds the book for the prayer after communion.

After the blessing and when the priest starts moving, the servers get the candles, cross and move to the center aisle. Stand and wait for the priest to come to the front of the altar and bow. Once the priest bows, the servers turn and recess up the aisle.

Clean up: Take everything to the sacristy; return items to their storage spot and extinguish the candles using the candlesnuffers. Adults will come to the sacristy to purify the vessels used at Mass. Make sure they have attended to everything. Finally, return your alb to its hanger and place it in its right order and manner of hanging.

Should you ever have any question regarding your service at the altar, do not hesitate to ask the priest.

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