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St. Cecilia Church Mass Server Instructions

Being a Mass Server:
It is a privilege and responsibility to serve at the Lord's Table. Please pick up your schedule, note the dates you serve and mark them on your calendar.

Iif you are unable to serve on an assigned date, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Phone other servers on the list. You may consider offering to take one of their scheduled times in exchange.

On your scheduleded day:
· arrive at the church 15 minutes before Mass is scheduled to start. If you arrive later, your team members wonder if you are coming.
· dress in a cassock that is neither too short or too long. The rope belt (cincture) is tied on your right side. Wear the appropriate colour cross; it should match the colour of Father's vestments. Ensure your hood looks good and isn't inside out.
· sign the server book in the sacristy.
· wait at the choir loft steps.
· determine who will carry the cross. Review your duties if necessary.
· when Father puts on his vestments, light the candles.

The Procession:
· the Cross always leads the procession, with the crucifix toward the altar. Wait until the opening hymn has started.
· Candles follow the Cross. Your hand closest to the congregation should hold the candle firmly at the top of the handle, under the base where the candle rests. This puts the candle to the outside of your body, closest to the congregation. Your opposite hand should hold the handle closer to the bottom to keep it steady.
· stand straight; walk slowly; eyes to the front.
· the Proclaimer follows the acolytes, and carries the Lectionary (book).
· Father follows the Proclaimer.

Arriving at the Steps:
· as you arrive at the steps leading up to the sanctuary, line up with toes close to the steps:
The Cross bearer should line themself up with the right edge of the altar. The two candle bearers should be the "bookends" for the group, standing on each end. The Proclaimer stands between the left acolyte and Father. Therefore the order, from left to right is: Candle Bearer (left), Proclaimer, priest, Cross Bearer, Candle Bearer (right).
· once you are all lined up at the foot of the stairs, Father will bow. Father is the only person in the procession who should bow. Everyone else is carrying a holy object (candle, cross, or book) and should not bow.

Moving up the Steps:
· as you move up the steps, be aware of where you are going so you don't cut in front of anyone. The Cross bearer should go first and proceed toward the cross holder. The right candle bearer can then go to the candleholders in front of the altar. The left candle bearer should proceed up to the appropriate candle holder, allowing the Proclaimer to follow after, carrying the book to the pulpit.
· The Cross Bearer inserts the cross pole into the base holder, ensuring it is firmly in place, with the crucifix facing the congregation.
· the Candle Bearers put their candles in the holders in front of the altar. If a candle has blown out during the procession, there should be matches or lighter on the Credence table. Re-light the candle immediately, while the opening hymn is being played.

· The Cross Bearer will stand at the chair (on the priest's right). Hold the red sacramentary book.
· The Candle Bearers should proceed to the chairs on either side of the Credence Table, keeping the positions they had during the procession (right acolyte at the chair closest to the altar). Remain standing for the opening prayers.

Mass:
Father says the opening prayers. Cross bearer opens sacramentary book to red ribbon and holds for Father to read.
· the first Proclaimer will come to the pulpit for the first reading.
· the second Proclaimer will come to the pulpit for the second reading.

The Gospel Reading:
· after these two readings is the Gospel reading by Father. When Father stands up, everyone stands up. The two Candle Bearers move to either side of Father, lined up with the candles in their holders. Avoid crossing in front of each other.
· wait for Father as he meditates in front of the altar. As Father goes to the pulpit, pick up your candle and follow him and stand on either side. Face each other and stand close to the pulpit.
· the candle should be held in your outside hand -- the hand that is closest to the congregation should be the hand at the top of the candle, with the other hand for support at the bottom of the handle.
· both candles should be held at the same height. Check your partner and adjust if necessary.
· when the Gospel reading is over and Father kisses the book, return your candle to its holder -- try not to cross in front of the other acolyte.
· during the Gospel reading, the Cross Bearer stands but has no duties.

The homily is given by Father (everyone is seated).
Then everyone stands to say the Creed (including you)
Prayers of the Faithful is given by the second Proclaimer ("For this we pray to the Lord" and "Lord, hear our prayer").

The Gifts (envelope offering, wine, water, and hosts)
· Father will announce the collection of the offering gifts. The ushers go down the aisles with baskets. After it is collected, Father will stand and go to receive the offering basket. All acolytes should be ready to go when he stands up.

· the Sacramentary needs to be carried to the altar by the Cross acolyte, immediately to the left of the corporal (cloth) and close to the edge of the altar. Open the Sacramentary to the first section (usually red ribbon). Ensure the ribbon lies in the middle of the book and doesn't cover up any words.

· the Cross acolyte then goes to the Credence table and brings the silver tray with the gold chalice and silver chalice(s) and puts it on the altar . This acolyte then steps back and waits for Father to return.

At the same time:
· Candle Acolytes will stand when Father stands and go with him to the bottom of the steps - on each side of Father. On Saturdays, Father takes the envelope collection basket and hands it to one of the candle bearers; take it and place it on the floor in front of the altar. On Sundays, he hands it back to the usher who carried it up.

· when the gifts of water and wine and the two ciboria of hosts are given to Father, he will give the water and wine to one acolyte and the ciboria to the other. Whoever receives theirs first must wait until their partner has theirs. Then, you both go to the altar together, without waiting for Father.

· whoever has the ciboria places them on the altar, to the right of the corporal cloth.

· the acolyte carrying the water and wine will hand one of these to their partner. The person standing closest to the altar should be holding the wine decanter - remove the stopper and place it on the altar or hold it.

· when Father comes to do the Eucharist blessing, hand him the wine decanter when he turns to receive it.

· the acolyte with the water cruet should turn the handle toward Father so he can hold the handle when he reaches for it.

· when Father returns the water to the acolyte, the other acolyte will pick up the wine stopper. Father may stop and bow; do the same. Both acolytes will take the stopper and water to the Credence table along with silver tray.

· one acolyte will then pick up the water bowl and the other will take the towel. The server with the bowl stands closest to the altar so Father can first wash and then dry his hands.

· return these two items to the Credence table when Father is finished washing and drying his hands.

· the candle acolytes then stand next to Father, making a straight row with him and the third acolyte. All are facing the congregation.

Cross/Book acolyte:
· during the Eucharistic prayers, be prepared to turn to the appropriate pages.
· Father will bless the wine and hosts. He will turn to the book when he is ready for the first prayer. He may adjust the book on the altar.
Father will read the opening prayer (red ribbon), after the congregation says "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands…for our good and the good of all the church…"
· the next section to be used will have the ribbon laying out the side of the Sacramentary book (this is the Preface; it is usually the blue ribbon). It starts with Father saying "The Lord be with you.." This section ends with "Holy, holy, holy" being sung by everyone. The priest may indicate which tab to turn to next. It will be one of four tabs, or a ribbon if the priest indicates that.
· the next section is the Eucharistic Prayer. Follow along in the book while Father reads the prayer, as you may turn the pages when needed.

· at the consecration, Father genuflects after consecrating the host, and after consecrating the wine). When he genuflects, all servers bow together with him. The Cross server should be careful to not be turning a page when he/she should be bowing.
· the Eucharistic prayer ends with everyone singing the great "Amen". Then it is time for the last tab in the book (Our Father).

Our Father:
· join hands with Father or the other server.
· the acolytes standing at the ends raise their outside hand.

Sign of Peace:
· everyone exchanges the Sign of Peace by shaking hands and/or hugging.
· the Communion ministers come up to the altar and will give the Sign of Peace. Step back to make room (behind the green section of the floor) and to the centre.
· the Communion ministers will pour the wine and get the blessed hosts from the Tabernacle.
· Father gives everyone a host; hold it until Father consumes his.
· then the cup is distributed by Father to the ministers of the cup, and they will offer it to you.

During Communion:
· the candle acolytes take the tray and wine decanter back to the Credence table and sit down.
· before communion is over, the candle acolyte closest to the altar should put the black box (communion for the sick) on the altar if it's not already there. This only occurs at the 9 a.m. Sunday mass. The corporal remains on the altar as long as the black box (containing the body of Christ) is there.

After Communion:
· after communion, a communion minister will return to the altar and put any remaining hosts into one ciborium. They will take these consecrated hosts to the Tabernacle. The candle acolyte nearest the altar should watch and take the empty ciboria from the altar when the communion minister has gone to the tabernacle. The empty ciboria should be placed on the tray on the Credence table. You may also remove the paten and purificator to the Credence table. The corporal may be folded and left on the altar, as long as there is no communion for the sick box (Sunday 9 a.m.) on the altar. Sit down.

Closing Hymn:
· when the closing hymn starts, the Cross acolyte should go stand at the Cross beside the Cross holder.
· when Father starts to move toward the steps, the Cross bearer takes the cross and the Candle bearers get the candles.
· the Proclaimer will come from the congregation to pick up the Lectionary.
· the five of you will return to the bottom of the steps and take your places, with the two candles on the outside. Again, Father is the only person who should bow toward the altar, as he is the only one not holding a holy object.
· everyone turns and the cross leads the way in the recession, followed by the candles, the Lectionary bearer and Father.
· when you reach the end of the aisle, turn and return the cross and candles (blow out) to their holders.
· return to the change room and hang up your cassock, rope, cross. Hang up any that may have fallen on the floor.

Do:
· choose a cassock that's not too short and not too long.
· stand, sit and walk tall
· pay attention to Father in case he needs something not planned for.
· reach for a hymn book and sing along with the hymns (but still pay attention).
· learn all the acolyte jobs. If you are on candle, you should also learn the cross/book part.
· ask questions before mass if you don't understand something.
· sit nicely.
· cover your mouth if you have to yawn.
· put all your serving times on your home calendar as soon as you get your schedule.

Don't:
· fidget, squirm, play with your rope tassel or cross.
· look at your friends in the congregation if you think they might make you laugh.

Servers who carry out their duties well and pay attention may be invited to serve at special occasions (Christmas, Easter) or for funerals.

If you wish to serve after you've graduated from high school, you will be transferred to an Adult team. If you are ever unable or unwilling to continue as a server, please let the scheduling team know.

Updated Nov./2006

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