Altar Servers
(Adult Altar Servers Contact: Joanne McClain ♦ (908) 953-9864 ♦ (908) 803-2400 ♦ joannekmcclain@gmail.com )
SERVICE SCHEDULES:
Altar_Servers_Schedule_-_Sunday,_Holy_Day_and_Special_Masses_-_March_-_June
Altar_Servers_Schedule_-_Weekday_Masses_-_March_-_June
Adult_Altar_Servers_Schedule_-_March_-_June
Altar servers are lay assistants to a member of the clergy during a religious service. They used to be called Acolytes and were considered members of the highest minor order of the clergy. The 
akolouthos, meaning companion, attendant or helper. The Acolyte ministry has its roots in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, which tells of the prophet Samuel is assisting Eli, the Levite priest, and of Elisha assisting Elijah the Prophet.
Formerly, only young men and seminarians served as Acolytes; and thus “altar boy” was the usual title until the Second Vatican Council acknowledged that Canon Law technically allowed females to serve at the altar. Since then, girls as well as boys have had the honor and privilege to participate in the liturgy as Altar Servers.
At Saint James, boys and girls in grades 5 through 12 have the opportunity to learn more about their faith and to begin to build a foundation for evangelization and stewardship by serving at Mass and other liturgical functions. New servers are enrolled every April. Orientation for new servers and re-registration of trained servers takes place in May; training takes place in June.
New servers are assigned to weekday Masses during their first year of service, beginning in July. In subsequent years, as they become more experienced, servers are assigned to weekend and Holy Day Masses and may choose to coach new servers during the summer months. They also serve at funerals and other special liturgies
Among the duties of Altar Servers are the lighting of the altar-candles, carrying the candles and the crucifix in procession, assisting the priest and the deacon, and the ministering of water and wine to the priest at Mass. See Glossary of Liturgical Terms for Altar Servers
In addition to an enhanced understanding of the liturgy and of their role of service to the parish, Altar Servers learn the importance of teamwork and value of commitment as they develop responsibility, dependability, and accountability.
Interested boys and girls are encouraged to watch the Bulletin during April for registration information.
Altar_Server_Application_&_Information_Meeting
Even a child is known by his deeds, by whether what he does is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
