• have received your First Holy Communion
• know how to make the Sign of the Cross
• attend Mass regularly
• be a member of St. Stephen's
• have a strong desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
• attend training sessions as needed/requested, but at least once a year

• Sitting and standing still with prayer hands when not holding an item
• Speak only when necessary, no talking
• Respond with the congregation at the appropriate times
• Do your best to enter into the spirit of the celebration -sing with God's family
• Keep your movements smooth and steady, demonstrate reverence at all times

• hold the book of prayers for the priest celebrant
• carry the incense and censer
• present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts
• wash the hands of the priest
• assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.

If you are unable to serve when you are scheduled, please contact another server to fill in for you as soon as possible. You can do this by clicking the "request sub" in the scheduling email. You can also "swap" with another server through email prompts as well. You will be provided with a schedule for approximately 8-10 weeks out. Prior to this you will have an opportunity to post any dates you will be unavailable. You will be notified by e-mail when the new schedule has been posted.

There are 3 altar servers assigned to serve at each Mass on Saturday and Sunday. The most important thing to remember is that people look to you to help create an atmosphere of reverence and prayer. Altar servers should always wear Sunday best including black dress shoes. We also ask that you come dressed to serve, even when not scheduled.. This will help if you are asked to fill in for a tardy or absent server. 

• Male servers should dress in plain or collared shirts and dress pants, or khakis with black dress shoes
• Female servers should wear dresses, skirts, or dress pants with plain shirt/blouse and black dress shoes (flats/sandals with enclosed heel, heel height no more than 1 inch).
• Hair must be neatly combed, and long hair secured back out of the face 

• Blue jeans and shorts are NOT to be worn when altar serving
• Shoes: No athletic shoes (sneakers, tennis shoes, etc. of any color), no flip-flops, no open back sandals are to be worn. Heels should be less than an inch to avoid any falls.

Prayer Hands: Believe it or not, what you do with your hands is very important! When you are standing or sitting and your hands are busy, or if you can't seem to sit or stand still, you will be a source of distraction for your friends and family and others in the pews as well as to the other altar servers. When you are standing or moving to your duty on the altar, your hands should be ABOVE your waist folded in PRAYER HANDS. When you are sitting, your hands should be FOLDED on your lap.

Standing: BE ALERT! Do not slouch, yawn, or play with your hair. Do stand straight with prayer hands. Both feet should be kept flat on the floor. Your eyes should be focused on Mass so that you are aware of any needs of the priest/deacon.

Walking: Walking should be done with your back straight and head held high. Pace should not be rushed but deliberate. Hands should be upright in prayer hands and never down at your side.

Sitting: Sit erect in the chair with your hands folded on your lap. Do not slouch. Both feet should be kept flat on the floor.

Bowing

• Before and after Mass: bow to the Tabernacle.
• When not holding an item during Mass: bow to the altar after interacting with it (all servers), or after holding the Roman Missal for Father (cross bearer).

• The Gloria, Our Father, Nicene Creed, Lamb of God, Lord, I am not worthy, and Holy, Holy, Holy
• If they cannot take the time to memorize these basic prayers, they may be demonstrating a lack of sufficient interest in being a good server.)

• All servers must be able to demonstrate the "tools of the trade" such as candle lighters (cross bearers), books, candles, processional cross (cross bearers), preparation of the credence table, chalice, mass colors, etc.
• TRAINING IS VERY IMPORTANT

• The servers should also be prepared to help after Mass in cleaning up
• They must be flexible and pay attention to cues from the Deacon and Father.

• The altar servers who have the most experience in serving.
• The cross is heavy! Must have sufficient stature and strength
• Walk steady and with the pace of the music.
• Hold the cross up high while maintaining control, do not angle the cross forward or backward, keep it straight up, make sure the crucifix is pointing straight.
• Specific criteria must be met for eligibility, see altar server coordinator for details

ACOLYTE: an alter server

VESTMENTS: special clothes worn during mass by Father, Deacons, and Altar Servers

CASSOCK: long black or red (depending on the liturgical season) vestment worn by altar servers.  Make sure they are long enough to cover most of your lower leg, but not ankle/shoe area as this will interfere with safety on the steps.  KNOW YOUR SIZE AND REPLACE ON PROPER HANGER AFTER MASS!!

SURPLICE:  short white vestment worn over the altar server’s cassock, should come to the waist or just below. KNOW YOUR SIZE AND REPLACE ON PROPER HANGER AFTER MASS!!

SACRISTY: the room outside the worship space where Father and the Deacons vest and items needed for the communion service kept and prepared by the mass coordinator.  Candles are located here pre/post mass.

SANCTUARY: the raised portion of the worship space, where Father celebrates the Mass

AMBO: the podium from which the readings and gospel are proclaimed, processional candle holders are on either side

ALTAR: the table at the center of the Eucharistic celebration.  Remember to bow after placing an item on it during mass.

TABERNACLE: the gold box on the shelf at the back of the altar platform.  If the door is closed, the ciborium holding consecrated hosts is inside.  Remember to bow every time you pass pre/post mass.

CIBORIUM: the gold bowl with lid that holds the body of Christ, resides in tabernacle when not on the altar.

SACRAMENTARY STAND: the gold metal stand used to hold the Roman Missal

CREDENCE TABLE: table where items needed for communion are placed when not on the altar

CORPORAL: small square linen cloth upon which the chalice and ciborium are placed 

CHALICE: a footed wine cup; kept in the sacristy safe

PATEN: a plate used for holding communion hosts; kept in the sacristy safe

PALL:  the linen covered cardboard square placed over the chalice to keep dust out

PURIFICATOR: cloth napkin used to wipe the cups at communion; in the sacristy drawer to the left of the sink

PIX: Small containers used to bring consecrated communion hosts to the sick

THURIBLE:  is a metal censer suspended from chains, in which incense is burned the mass

THURIFER: an altar server who carries the thurible/censer, also called the Censer

INCENSE: a substance burned to create a fragrant scent.  Its use adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass which links heaven with earth, and allow us to enter into the presence of God.

BOAT: carries the supply of incense, has a small spoon inside which is used to transfer the grains of incense onto the red-hot charcoals in the thurible.