Altar Server?

[Spiller]

“…adult altar servers are called Acolytes” is just wrong.

Acolytes are men permanently instituted by the bishop. That doesn’t mean an acolyte can’t do the job of a server. It means VERY, VERY few servers are acolytes…

 

[SacredHeartFan]

“…adult altar servers are called Acolytes” is just wrong.

Acolytes are men permanently instituted by the bishop. That doesn’t mean an acolyte can’t do the job of a server. It means VERY, VERY few servers are acolytes…

I’m sorry this is off subject but every time I read your post I see that little guy flipping the pages and I think he is looking up all this stuff!

 

[BamaRider]

Well folks here’s the update.

My nephew was on duty the night of the class, so he made arrangements for someone to stand in for him, so he could attend server class. He was still in fire dept uniform when he showed up with his young wife, who was on hand to lend encouragement.

I asked him what the sponsors said (nice people) said when he walked in, he advised it went like this-

“can we help you?”

“yeah, I’m here to be a altar server”

"Oh my! come in!

To make a long story short, the class was 2 hours and he’s scheduled to serve the Vigil Mass this weekend. Because of his size in relation to the other servers he will always be the Crossbearer and lead the entrance procession. He will also hold the Missal for Father for the opening and closing prayers.

The weekend Masses we have 3 servers and some Masses allare female, and I’ll be honest it looks strange when that happens. He is very athletic and broad shouldered and I hope his service encourages other males to come forward, and I think it will.

He informed me all the servers were reminded to be reverant and take the job seriously. He says he feels this is a calling, and I agreed with him “Yanno the Lord sees we have a need and guess WHO he just called out to help?”

I’ll report back soon as I can this weekend.

 

[Spiller]

Well folks here’s the update.

My nephew was on duty the night of the class, so he made arrangements for someone to stand in for him, so he could attend server class. He was still in fire dept uniform when he showed up with his young wife, who was on hand to lend encouragement.

I asked him what the sponsors said (nice people) said when he walked in, he advised it went like this-

“can we help you?”

“yeah, I’m here to be a altar server”

"Oh my! come in!

To make a long story short, the class was 2 hours and he’s scheduled to serve the Vigil Mass this weekend. Because of his size in relation to the other servers he will always be the Crossbearer and lead the entrance procession. He will also hold the Missal for Father for the opening and closing prayers.

The weekend Masses we have 3 servers and some Masses allare female, and I’ll be honest it looks strange when that happens. He is very athletic and broad shouldered and I hope his service encourages other males to come forward, and I think it will.

He informed me all the servers were reminded to be reverant and take the job seriously. He says he feels this is a calling, and I agreed with him “Yanno the Lord sees we have a need and guess WHO he just called out to help?”

I’ll report back soon as I can this weekend.

Good for him!

Wow, 2 hours of training? That’s not a bad start! After having served well over a hundred Masses I had to attend a training session (our parish got a new coordinator.) It consisted of 15-20 minutes of Q&A and maybe another 15 minutes of hands-on training.

And it shows…

While he is coming up to speed have him keep an eye out for men who regularly attend the Mass he does who might be interested in serving with him. He in turn could train them…

 

[Spiller]

I wish it was that way at my parish. I’d rather be an altar boy again than a lector and Eucharistic Minister.

Rest easy…

I seriously doubt you are either a Lector or a Eucharistic Minister. A Reader and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion perhaps, but not the former.

 

[Larowyn]

Rest easy…

I seriously doubt you are either a Lector or a Eucharistic Minister. A Reader and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion perhaps, but not the former.

I know the difference between Extraordinary Minister and Eucharistic Minister. It’s commonly shortened to the latter at my parish, and the readers have always been called lectors.

 

[Spiller]

I know the difference between Extraordinary Minister and Eucharistic Minister. It’s commonly shortened to the latter at my parish, and the readers have always been called lectors.

That’s very bad practice.

 

[Brendan]

I know the difference between Extraordinary Minister and Eucharistic Minister. It’s commonly shortened to the latter … .

How, exactly is changing “Extraordinary Minister” to “Eucharistic Minister” shorting it? Is your parish really concerned with the two extra letters??

Why not just say “EMHC”? it’s substantially shorter than both.

 

[Larowyn]

How, exactly is changing “Extraordinary Minister” to “Eucharistic Minister” shorting it? Is your parish really concerned with the two extra letters??

Why not just say “EMHC”? it’s substantially shorter than both.

I meant Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist. The priest makes it quite clear that we are extraordinary and expects us to know this, so as long as we understand and also make it clear to outsiders who do not know, we can just say Eucharistic Minister to refer to ourselves. Readers have always been known as lectors in my parish, even by the priest.

It’s funny how it seems no one reads my posts unless there’s some technical detail that they want to loudly point out. It’s like everyone else here is a pharisee or something.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .

It’s funny how it seems no one reads my posts unless there’s some technical detail that they want to loudly point out. It’s like everyone else here is a pharisee or something.

I long ago learned that the only way to know if someone was reading my reports was to misspell his name.

 

[johnnydigit]

“…adult altar servers are called Acolytes” is just wrong.

Acolytes are men permanently instituted by the bishop. That doesn’t mean an acolyte can’t do the job of a server. It means VERY, VERY few servers are acolytes…

woo woo liturgical police! someone is calling someone else wrong! i apologize as i should not have capitalized the “A”.

“As if the terms were not confusing enough, we also sometimes refer to altar boys or servers as “acolytes,” since they, too, perform some of the functions of the instituted Acolyte.” -Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?Pgnu=1&Pg=Forum8&recnu=11&number=532087

 

[johnnydigit]

I meant Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist. The priest makes it quite clear that we are extraordinary and expects us to know this, so as long as we understand and also make it clear to outsiders who do not know, we can just say Eucharistic Minister to refer to ourselves. Readers have always been known as lectors in my parish, even by the priest.

personally i have vowed to never use the term “Eucharistic Minister” again. it is incorrect and i would rather people try to make the move to “Extraordinary minister”, even if it means taking the time to explain it.

It’s funny how it seems no one reads my posts unless there’s some technical detail that they want to loudly point out. It’s like everyone else here is a pharisee or something.

or you can take it as a compliment showing that they are usually in agreement with you, and appreciate the rare correction.

not everyone who corrects you that you don’t agree with is a pharisee. it’s a cop-out that i see too many people use (especially protestants). the errors with the “bad” pharisees were more about being hypocritical and abusing the law, rather than clarifying what is true, even if to a level that might be considered anal.
so call me anal, but not a pharisee thank you very much.

 

[Larowyn]

personally i have vowed to never use the term “Eucharistic Minister” again. it is incorrect and i would rather people try to make the move to “Extraordinary minister”, even if it means taking the time to explain it.

or you can take it as a compliment showing that they are usually in agreement with you, and appreciate the rare correction.

not everyone who corrects you that you don’t agree with is a pharisee. it’s a cop-out that i see too many people use (especially protestants). the errors with the “bad” pharisees were more about being hypocritical and abusing the law, rather than clarifying what is true, even if to a level that might be considered anal.
so call me anal, but not a pharisee thank you very much.

You’ll note that I didn’t capitalize the word “pharisee.” Capitalization is very important.

Good day, sirrah.

 

[Brenda_V]

(cut) fyi, adult altar servers are called Acolytes.

(cut).

Nope, not true but Spiller beat me to the right answer so I won’t go into details I will just quote her(?) post

That’s not true…

“Acolytes” are permanently instituted lay male ministers who do the job of severs and EMsHC. EMsHC are temporarily commissioned males or females. Servers are neither instituted nor commissioned.

Similarly, “lectors” are permanently instituted lay male ministers while “readers” are temporarily commissioned males or females.

While men may be instituted as acolytes as an end in itself, most who are instituted are on their way to becoming priests or deacons…

I will add though that Acolyte and **Lector **were steps to the Priesthood.

 

[BamaRider]

Well folks my nephew served his first Mass tonight at the Vigil, and even if he is my nephew, he was quite impressive a figure leading the entrance procession as the Crossbearer. Somehow, when a 6 foot tall, athlectic young man leads the procession it makes a impact on the congregation.

He held the book for Father at the opening and closing prayers, and also the Crossbearer for gifts procession. The younger boys served at the Altar. He was reverant and wore slacks, with black shoes polished as taught by the fire dept. His demeanor carried over to the younger boys who now had someone to follow. It was great.

I was spending a few moments with him after Mass and several ladies made positive comments and said he was inspirational. It was nice.

I encourage other young men, outside the traditional age of altar servers to think about it, especially if your parish is short young boys serving like mine, sometimes all they need is someone to lead.

 

[Spiller]

Well folks my nephew served his first Mass tonight at the Vigil, and even if he is my nephew, he was quite impressive a figure leading the entrance procession as the Crossbearer. Somehow, when a 6 foot tall, athlectic young man leads the procession it makes a impact on the congregation.

He held the book for Father at the opening and closing prayers, and also the Crossbearer for gifts procession. The younger boys served at the Altar. He was reverant and wore slacks, with black shoes polished as taught by the fire dept. His demeanor carried over to the younger boys who now had someone to follow. It was great.

I was spending a few moments with him after Mass and several ladies made positive comments and said he was inspirational. It was nice.

I encourage other young men, outside the traditional age of altar servers to think about it, especially if your parish is short young boys serving like mine, sometimes all they need is someone to lead.

Outstanding! :yup: