"When you take part in the Liturgy by carrying out your altar service, you offer a witness to all. Your absorption, the devotion that wells up from your heart and is expressed in gestures, in song, in the responses: if you do it correctly and not absent-mindedly, then in a certain way your witness is one that moves people."

Serving at the table of the Lord is an important and wonderful way that people young and old can assist in the Eucharist -- the source and summit of our life as Christians. When done with reverence, respect, and attention, as the Pope suggests, this can be a wonderful service to our faith community and indeed an act of love that draws the server closer to God.

Altar Serving at St. Joseph is open to boys and girls beginning at 5th grade who belong to the parish. New servers are trained by Fr. Nate and returning servers are required to attend a series of "brush-up" sessions during the year. Communication of the altar serving schedule takes place via email and is sent at 6-week intervals (with additional schedules for special liturgies during Advent, Lent, and Easter). While in the past servers "retired" after 8th grade, experienced servers are now encouraged to continue serving as high schoolers, college students (if in town), and beyond.

"When you take part in the Liturgy by carrying out your altar service, you offer a witness to all. Your absorption, the devotion that wells up from your heart and is expressed in gestures, in song, in the responses: if you do it correctly and not absent-mindedly, then in a certain way your witness is one that moves people."

Serving at the table of the Lord is an important and wonderful way that people young and old can assist in the Eucharist -- the source and summit of our life as Christians. When done with reverence, respect, and attention, as the Pope suggests, this can be a wonderful service to our faith community and indeed an act of love that draws the server closer to God.

Altar Serving at St. Joseph is open to boys and girls beginning at 5th grade who belong to the parish. New servers are trained by Fr. Nate and returning servers are required to attend a series of "brush-up" sessions during the year. Communication of the altar serving schedule takes place via email and is sent at 6-week intervals (with additional schedules for special liturgies during Advent, Lent, and Easter). While in the past servers "retired" after 8th grade, experienced servers are now encouraged to continue serving as high schoolers, college students (if in town), and beyond.

Dear Servers,

Please remember the following things during Ordinary Time:

• Arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins
• Do NOT wear flip-flops to serve Mass. Nice looking, leather sandals with backs are fine, but please do not wear flip-flops when you are serving. Fr. Nate is personally of the opinion that you shouldn't be wearing flip flops to Mass at all, but that's up to you
• Remember to get a sub if you cannot make it during your scheduled time... this helps us out a lot!
• We will wear green cinctures during Ordinary Time except for special exceptions

If you have questions about your altar serving schedule or duties, please call the Parish Center during business hours (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm) at 574-234-3134. 

Dear Servers,

Please remember the following things during Ordinary Time:

• Arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins
• Do NOT wear flip-flops to serve Mass. Nice looking, leather sandals with backs are fine, but please do not wear flip-flops when you are serving. Fr. Nate is personally of the opinion that you shouldn't be wearing flip flops to Mass at all, but that's up to you
• Remember to get a sub if you cannot make it during your scheduled time... this helps us out a lot!
• We will wear green cinctures during Ordinary Time except for special exceptions

If you have questions about your altar serving schedule or duties, please call the Parish Center during business hours (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm) at 574-234-3134.