Altar Servers

Brooke Bell directs the Altar Server Program at Saint Bridget; reach her at brkbll@gmail.com or 513-2736.

Along with the priest, deacons, and all liturgical ministers, altar servers help lead the assembly in the worship of God. The Real Presence of Christ in the liturgy is revealed to the congregation, in part, through those who commit to altar serving. As they lead the processional, altar servers guide the people of God into His presence. By their demeanor, appearance, and reverence in handling the sacred vessels, candles, and holy books, altar servers demonstrate to the people their love and devotion for what they do. As they go about their tasks in a careful and reverent way, they help those who watch them to pray more deeply.

Altar servers are not the objects of the congregation’s attention.  Instead, they are guides to help highlight the Real Presence of Christ by executing their duties with respect, honor, and humble dignity.

Requirements

To become an altar server you must be a registered member of Saint Bridget Parish. Both boys and girls who are in the second semester of fifth grade or older are eligibile.

Training

Five two-hour training sessions are offered each year.  To become an altar server you must attend three complete (no late arrivals or early dismissals) sessions of your choosing from the five offered. At the end of your third session a written evaluation, which will last approximately half an hour, will be given.  All training takes place in the Church and Parish Center Meeting Room.  

Training for thurifer/ boat bearer.

Training to become a Thurifer takes approximately one hour and is done two servers at a time. All Thurifers in training are also trained as Boat Bearers at the same session

Requirements for Thurifer/Boat Bearer:
To be a candidate for Thurifer/Boat Bearer you must be a competent altar server for two or more years. You must know the three altar server jobs thoroughly and have expertly served when scheduled.

Requirements for Boat Bearer only:
To be a candidate for Boat Bearer only you must be a competent altar server for at least one year. You must know the three altar server jobs thoroughly and have expertly served when scheduled.