SERAPHIM ALTAR SERVERS ASSOCIATION (SASA)

“You can be apostles, capable of drawing others to Jesus. This will happen if you are full of enthusiasm for him”

– Pope Francis to Altar servers during the 12th International Pilgrimage for Altar Boys and Girls, July 31, 2018

“Dear Altar Servers, you are, in fact, already apostles of Jesus! 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.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the bond of friendship with Jesus. You are very close to Jesus in the Eucharist, and this is the most important sign of his friendship for each one of us. Do not forget it.”

-excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI, Address to Altar Servers, August 2, 2006

When

Established in Jan 2018

Why

Formal training and grooming of altar servers

Eligibility

School goers or children upto 17yrs of age

Who

Rev. Fr. Jacob Pakkam, Parish Priest

What

Service during liturgical celebration, preparing the altar and credence table, promotion of Vocation

Coordinator

Joe Xavier

Tenets of being an altar server

Commitment

Understand that being an altar server is a commitment and live by it. It is not for the lazy (as told by Pope Francis)

Regularity

Regularly attend meetings and serve at the altar, by understanding the finer nuances of serving at the altar

Prayer Life

Lead a life of prayer. Always remembering that one is a altar server, whether in the premises of a church or outside of it

Cleanliness

Understand that cleanliness is next to Godliness

Obedience

Listening and abiding to the instructions of the coordinator and the head of altar servers

Activities by the Altar Servers

Activities in 2018
Grand Investiture during Holy Mass
- 25^th March 2018
- Around 30+ altar servers registered
- Senior altar servers helped in vesting the newly inducted altar servers
Meetings on alternate Saturdays at 5:00pm
Introduction to St. John Berchmans (Patron of Altar Servers)
Introduction to the following saints:
- St. Dominic Savio
- St. Benedict
- St. Therese of Lisieux
- St. Teresa of Avila
- St. Rita
- St. Germaine Cousin
- St. Don Bosco
Introduction to vestments and articles used during Holy Mass

Activities in 2019
17 of our altar servers participated in Altar Servers Rally on 24th Feb 2019 at Infant Jesus Shrine, Manali New Town
Reintroduction of past traditions (especially in terms of prayers) – before and after vesting
Learning to ring bell at important times during Holy Mass…
- Gloria
- Epiclesis
- Elevation
- Doxology
Learning to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Formula of A.C.T.S