Altar Server
Download AltarServer Application
Download AltarServer MassProcedure
Daily Prayer
O Loving God, You have graciously called me to serve You upon Your altar. Open my mouth to praise Your Holy Name. Cleanse my heart from all evil and distracting thoughts. Enlighten my understanding and inflame my will. Grant me a true spirit of faith and humble obedience, so I may serve You faithfully and wholeheartedly. O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ the High Priest, intercede for me to obtain the most important grace of knowing my vocation in life. O Saint Padre Pio, may I follow your example and walk the same path that leads to Heaven. Mother Mary and Padre Pio, pray for me and for all servers. Amen.
Prayer Before Mass
Oh Jesus, my King and Lord, by the grace of the heavenly Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me in all righteousness as I serve You today at the Altar so I may be always worthy of Your presence. If I happen to make an error, may it be a lesson so my service will be perfect tomorrow. Jesus, I love you with all my heart. Amen.
Prayer After Mass
Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to serve You during the Holy Mass. In Your Sacred Presence, my heart is filled with joy and peace. May Your Spirit always guide me so I may grow in Your love by the grace of the Heavenly Father. Amen.
Fostering Vocation
Having young people involved in the ministry of service at the Altar is an excellent opportunity to stress the need for more priests and religious. This also encourages young people to consider being called to a life of public service in the Church and Society.
Requirements
- Have a strong desire to serve the Lord.
- Must be committed to their fellow servers.
- Attend practices that are scheduled.
- Attend Altar Server meetings.
- Serve at your assigned Mass.
- If a server cannot serve at your assigned Mass, please contact “Altar Server Coordinator” at least 1 day before the assigned Mass.
- Dress appropriately: white dress shirt, black pants, black shoes. No flip flops or tennis shoes. Make sure to wear your cross.
- Hair:
- Girls: hair should be tied back
- Boys: hair should be combed properly (proper grooming)
- Make sure to wash your hand before Mass.
- Arrive 15 minutes before your assigned Mass.
- Quietly put on your alb in the Altar Server Room.
- Listen to any instructions given to you about changes at Mass.
- Perform your assigned duties as best as possible.
- Stay in a personal prayer position during Mass. Keep a reverent attitude at all times. Be quiet respectfully and prayerfully to set a good example. This is God’s dwelling place!
- Must know the responses and say them out loud during Mass.
- Say “Prayer Before/After Mass.” Hang up your alb properly on the right hanger.
Mass Positions
- Standing: stand up straight with your feet flat on the ground, and your hands folded flat with your fingers pointing up, unless you are holding or carrying something.
- Walking: walk slowly and deliberately, not rushed, shoulder to shoulder. If you are carrying something, hold it properly. If not, your hands are folded straight up.
- Sitting: sit with both feet flat on the ground. Do not cross your legs. Place your hands flat on your lap.
- Bowing: bow with both hands folded straight, unless you are carrying something. Bow your head and shoulders slowly toward the object being reverenced.
- Genuflecting: genuflect with both hands folded straight up. Your right knee is bent to the floor and rests for a second. Keep your back and head straight.
Do’s & Don’ts
- Don’t chew gum in your mouth when arriving at Church and during Mass.
- Don’t text at all! Turn off your cell phone.
- Don’t laugh, joke, or talk during Mass.
- Must eat something before Mass so that you do not turn out to be weak or faint.
- If you feel sick while serving, go immediately to the Sacristy, and talk to the Altar Server Coordinator or any Sacristans.
- Quietly leave the church for restroom if needed.
- Only communicate with your fellow servers when you need instructions or clarifications.
Best Server Award
This award is given to an Altar Server who has consistently performed duties above and beyond what is normally expected of his or her level, such as serving Daily Masses, showing prayerful postures at Mass, performing properly attentively duties, etc.
Schedule
- The schedules will be available one month in advance.
- The schedules will be posted in the Altar Server Room.
- Generally, Masses of Holy Days of Obligation and other Special Masses, such as Vietnamese New Year, Lent & Easter, Parish Patroness, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, will be assigned on a rotating basis. Special occasions may call for volunteers to sign up.
Patron Saint and Feast Day
Saint Pio (Pius) (May 25, 1887 – September 23, 1968) was a Capuchin Catholic priest from Italy who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. He was born Francesco Forgione, and given the name Pius (Italian: Pio) when he joined the Capuchins. He is popularly known as Padre Pio – Capuchin Priest, Religious, Mystic, Confessor, and Stigmatic. He became famous for bearing the stigmata. For 50 years he suffered the five wounds of the crucifixion. His Feast Day is the 23rd of September.
Coordinators
Vietnamese Ms. Van Dinh (714) 553-8926 vdinh123@yahoo.com
Spanish Mr. Adolfo Villalpan (714) 943-0858 AdolfoV@oakley.com