ALTAR SERVER MINISTRY
Serve the Lord with gladness!
All about ASM
Students in Grade 5 through 12 may join the Altar Server Ministry. Two training sessions are required before a server is considered fully trained. Ongoing formation is offered and encouraged for all servers. Our captains/skilled servers act as mentors offering gentle guidance to newer servers.
Spiritual & Practical Formation
Please join us for monthly formation sessions that will further your understanding of the Mass and refine your practical skills. Attending these sessions is a step in your progression as an Altar Server and we hope that you will choose to attend them all as there is always more to learn!
Each one-hour session takes place in the church and begins promptly at 3:30pm with spiritual formation followed by refining the practical actions you already do during Mass. The topics differ each month as noted below. You are encouraged to attend any and all sessions year after year as the questions you ask lend to excellent discussion.
2025/26 Year
MARCH 16, 2026
Prayer of the Church & The Thurible (how, when, why)
APRIL 13, 2026
Jesus in the Mass & Liturgy of the Word (posture, prayer, bells)
MAY 11, 2026
Praying the Mass & Being an example (responses, Gloria, preparation, liturgical fun!)
2026/27 Year
OCTOBER 12, 2026
Pilgrimage of the Mass & The Procession (cross, candles, pace)
NOVEMBER 9, 2026
The Real Presence of Jesus & Dressing the Altar (chalice, ciborium, trays)
DECEMBER 14, 2026
Servant of the Priest & Assisting during Mass (Roman missal, cruets, washing hands)
JANUARY 11, 2027
Ars Servandi & Attending the Priest (dressing the altar, movement in the sanctuary, sacristy)
FEBRUARY 8, 2027
The Sacrifice of the Mass & The Offertory (receiving the gifts, Jesus in the Tabernacle)
MARCH 15, 2027
Prayer of the Church & The Thurible (how, when, why)
APRIL 12, 2027
Jesus in the Mass & Liturgy of the Word (posture, prayer, bells)
MAY 10, 2027
Praying the Mass & Being an example (responses, Gloria, preparation, liturgical fun!)
New Server Training
New Server Training takes place annually in September on two consecutive Saturdays after kids have had some time to settle into the new school year. Students must attend two training sessions to be considered fully trained.
Saturday sessions take place in the Church on the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of September beginning at 2:30pm and ending at 5:30pm after the Saturday Mass. Families are welcome to attend with their servers and go to Mass together. [2026: Saturday, September 12 and 19]
Attending both Saturday training sessions is strongly encouraged. If only one Saturday session is possible, Shadow Training and Spiritual & Practical Formation sessions can be discussed.
New Parents (click to learn more): Your involvement with scheduling, orientation, and prayer is very important to your child's participation in the ministry.
Shadow Training
Shadow Training with Mrs. Gill: Learning by doing is a very practical and effective training method. Shadow training takes place in the summer or late September at 7:45 am Daily Mass and is most successful when you are able to serve two or three days in succession. Up to three servers may serve Daily Mass along side Mrs. Gill and be guided in each server position (1-4). You would arrive 45 minutes prior to Mass for pre-Mass training and stay about 15 minutes after Mass for review.
Please contact Joanne Gill for more details and to request training.
Shadowing Skilled/Captains:
Novice servers are scheduled with experienced servers who act as mentors and guides. Novices are encouraged to ask questions and when they are feeling comfortable ask to try other roles with the guidance of the mentors. Novices are also encouraged to accept Sub requests early on when there is a Captain/Skilled servers schedule to assist you.
Server Ranks
Novice - 0-2 years
Skilled - 2-3 years or proven proficiency
Captain - 3-4 plus years or proven proficiency (typically Grade 8 and up)
Master - This highest level server is a Captain that is hand-picked, is typically in High School, and has leadership qualities. Selection is based on expertise, knowledge of the Mass, and the ability to mentor other servers.
Our captains and skilled servers are asked to act as mentors and offer gentle guidance to newer servers. This includes encouraging them to try other roles with your guidance.
NOTE: If a priest, deacon, or instructor asks you to perform a task for the Mass that is outside your role for that day, please be respectful and do as you are asked or find the server responsible for that duty.
Details for Parents
The parents of our young Altar Servers are integral to the success of this Ministry. The support you show your child and this ministry is appreciated. We know that in many cases they can only serve the Mass if you are helping them get to the church and manage a busy life schedule. Thank you!
Your involvement with scheduling, orientation, and prayer is very important to your child's participation in the ministry. You are invited to attend training sessions with your kids and review the Instructional Videos & Terms with them. It is crucial that you learn how to use the MSP scheduling software with your server.
Be a Prayer Warrior: Every activity of the Church needs a firm foundation of prayer to root it properly in Jesus Christ and keep the influence of the Enemy far from it. You can be the front line against spiritual attack and the special operations which allow our ministry to serve Jesus Christ in the Sacrifice of the Altar. We ask you to offer a prayer every day for our Altar Servers and especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and consider fasting one day a month of the spiritual protection of those who serve.
How Scheduling Works (MSP)
Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) is a software program that is used by Saint Raphael Parish for scheduling Altar Servers and all other Liturgical ministers. This semi-automated process takes into consideration experience levels, vacation dates, and family groupings to fit your busy schedule.
Schedules are created through MSP according to the Liturgical Year and based on the preferences and "can't serve" dates you provide through your account.
During the summer, all our student servers are scheduled for the 7:45am and 9:15am Daily Masses in addition to weekend Masses. When school begins, only the SRS servers will be scheduled for the Daily Masses, while all our servers will continue to be scheduled for Weekend Masses or other Holy Day evening Masses.
Before a new schedule is produced, families are given the opportunity to request a regular Mass or two that has special importance to your family. For instance, a memorial Mass for a loved one or perhaps a Mass when your extended family will be visiting.
Holiday Masses are not auto-scheduled by MSP. All servers will be given an opportunity to choose these Masses at the appropriate time. PLEASE NOTE: The days surrounding the holidays ARE auto-scheduled by MSP so it is VERY IMPORTANT to update your "can't serve" dates when you know you will be out of town.
Login Information
Organization ID: straphael
Login, Manage your account, Fill open positions, Set "not available dates", Request a substitute and more!
Download the MSP App from the Play Store or the AppStore, search "Ministry Scheduler Pro".
How to Video
VIDEO: MSP App for Volunteers: https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/video/117
VIDEO: Updating your MSP Profile: https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/video/30
VIDEO: Volunteer Sign-in at Kiosk: https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/video/102
PDF: Printable Guide for MSP Web Terminal and App
Find more through the Help menu on the MSP Terminal.
ASM Roster
If your Swap or Sub Request in MSP hasn't been filled, please use the ASM Roster to call around for help filling your position.
ROSTER LOCATION: Login to MSP from your computer (not the App at this time) and click the Roster tab along the top of the Web Terminal. This roster is updated in real-time when servers make changes to their profiles.
Server Duties
Regular Mass
Server 1: Candlebearer, Dress the Altar (Chalice), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Wine cruet at Preparation of Gifts, Lavabo & water for Washing of Hands, Clear the Altar, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion
Server 2: Candlebearer, Dress the Altar (Missal), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Water cruet at Preparation of Gifts, Towel at Washing of Hands, Light processional candles at Communion, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion
Server 3: Crossbearer, Ring bells at Consecration
Server 4: Walk behind Cross in Procession, Hold Missal for priest at Collect, Hold Missal for priest after Communion
Thurifer
How to Use Incense at MassDays on which we use Incense & Gospel Procession & Incense at Elevation:
-Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil
-Corpus Christi
-First Masses/Masses of Thanksgiving
Days on which we use Incense & Gospel Procession:
-Christmas and Epiphany
-Ascension and Pentecost
-Solemnity of Saint Raphael
-Christ the King
-Whenever the Bishop presides
Days on which we use Incense
-Holy Days of Obligation
-Mass of the Holy Spirit/School Opening
-Graduation Mass/End of School
Stations of the Cross
Printable aidThese roles may vary each session/year based on which group or celebrant is hosting Stations of the Cross
Server 1: Candlebearer, Flanks the Station during the prayers
Server 2: Crossbearer, Stand to the Celebrants LEFT during the prayers
Server 3: Candlebearer, Flanks the Station during the prayers
Wedding Mass
Printable aidThe Procession and the Marriage Vows are the primary differences to a Wedding Mass. The vows take place immediately following the Homily.
These roles and directions are evolving and may differ from the day of the Wedding Mass. Please be flexible!
Server 1: Crossbearer, Ring Bowl at Vows, Dress the Altar (Chalice), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Wine cruet at Preparation of the Gifts, Lavabo & water for Washing of Hands, Bells at Consecration, Clear the Altar, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion
Server 2: Walk behind Cross in Procession, Holy Water at Vows, Dress the Altar (Missal), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Water cruet at Preparation of the Gifts, Towel at Washing of Hands, Flowers at Sign of Peace (if applicable), Clear the Altar, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion, Flowers for Mary after Communion (if applicable)
Confirmation Mass
Roles tend to be by invitation to the siblings of our Confirmandi. If you are a sibling please let us know!
Server 1: Candlebearer, other standard Mass duties, Gospel Procession
Server 2: Candlebearer, other standard Mass duties, Gospel Procession
Server 3: Crossbearer and Bells
Server 4: Bookbearer
Mission Statement: An altar server at Saint Raphael Parish stands ready to serve the Lord in the Sacrifice of the Mass, encountering, and helping others to encounter, Jesus in His Eucharistic Presence.
