Altar Serving training at Star of the Sea Parish

Dear Parents,

I write to you to invite your children (grades 3 and up who are baptized and have received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist), through your loving support, to be part of a very important service that brings life, meaning and hope to all our liturgies ~ the Ministry of Altar Servers.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, so beautifully captures the beauty and the gifts that are associated with this ministry:

It is important to realize that being close to Jesus and knowing him in the Eucharist through your service at the altar, enables you to open yourselves to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find the strength to achieve them. It is a source of real joy to recognize that we are small and weak, all the while knowing that, with Jesus’ help, we can be strengthened and take up the challenge of life’s great journey in his company. How beautiful it is to realize that faith brings us out of ourselves, out of our isolation. Precisely because we are filled with the joy of being friends with Jesus Christ, faith draws us towards others, making us natural missionaries!

Dear altar boys and altar girls, the closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the Word and the Body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received. ~ Pope Francis

Altar Serving Training will start in November, once a week for 4 consecutive weeks:

FRIDAYS: November 18, November 25, December 2, December 9

• 11am - 12pm at Good Shepherd Church

  OR

• 4pm - 5pm at Good Shepherd Church

After the 4-week training, ‘apprentice’ altar servers will be scheduled on rotation to practice at Saturday morning 8AM Mass at Star of the Sea Church over a 1-year period until they are comfortable at the Altar.

If you and your children are interested, please print the Registration Form below, and return it to the school office or parish office.

I can assure you that this experience, although requiring your time and commitment, will open treasures and graces from the Lord for your family, and it will no doubt be a cherished memory in your child’s life, especially when, growing up, they will face the struggles and crisis that every Christian experiences in their life.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Augustine