Each and every one of us is called to share the gifts and talents that God has given us. This includes the youth of our parish. Altar serving is a wonderful opportunity for young boys to get involved in the Mass and discern a possible religious vocation.
“I enjoy being able to give back to the community and give back to the Church,” says Kolton Scharbrough, who has been altar serving for six years. “It opens your eyes to see how great the Lord is, and how detailed the process is. It can help you form a deeper connection with the Lord and shows how God really cares for you, and we should give back to Him.”
Ray Schultz oversees the altar servers at Christ the King and shares why he believes altar servers are important.
“Altar servers help to present the Mass as if it would be in heaven,” Ray says. “They assist in helping the community to understand the importance of certain parts of the Mass. Having altar servers in the Mass helps to keep it moving with no interruptions.”
Boys are encouraged to become altar servers after they have received their First Holy Communion, around 7 or 8 years old. Training is offered at least once every six months. Additional practices are offered for special Masses, such as the Christmas and Easter Vigil.
Gus Marchand has been altar serving for six years.
“I get a closer look at everything that happens when I altar serve and I can ask Father all the questions that I have about Mass,” he says. “Altar serving helps me understand the Mass and be more engaged in it.”
For Jean Damien Marchand, altar serving has been an opportunity to learn about the details and symbolism in the Mass.
“I get to see everything in detail and understand all the symbolism of the priest’s actions,” he says. “For example, when the priest incenses the altar before the consecration, he makes three circles that symbolize the Trinity and the relationship of the three persons of God.”
Altar serving provides young boys a unique opportunity to get involved in the Mass and to give their time and talents back to God.
“Being an altar server gives me more responsibility to God,” says Hudson Quillen. “My dad and uncle were altar boys when they were young. It has brought me closer to God.”
If you have questions about altar serving or would like to get involved, contact Ray Schultz at rjschultz107@gmail.com.