Altar Server Ministry

About Us

The Altar Server Ministry is very active in St Mary’s. There are nearly always Altar Servers at every Weekend Mass. We aim for three Altar Servers at each Mass but this can vary. During school holidays when many are away we might have only one but there is always someone. On special occasions such as Easter we may have up to six. This Ministry is open to boys and girls who have received their Sacraments on Initiation. ie Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. At the end of the Sacramental Program each year all children are invited to be part of this Ministry.It is an excellent starting point for becoming part of Catholic Community Activities.Any child who has been part of the Sacramental Program from another parish is also invited to apply.

Throughout the Archdiocese of Brisbane – which is huge – St Mary’s is well-regarded for the number of Altar Servers and that we are able to retain them with a freely given commitment.

Contact Information:

Mr. Tom McGuire Acolyte and Altar Server Co-ordinator
Email: admin@coomeradrivertraining.com.au
Phone: 0404063761

Church & Parish Office:
Address: 185 Billinghurst Crescent, PO Box 219,Upper Coomera QLD 4209
Office Hours : Monday to Friday: 9am – 1pm;
Telephone: (07) 5529 9144
Fax: (07) 5529 9644

Here are some of the main reasons for our success

TRAINING

Our Altar Servers thoroughly enjoy serving Jesus at Mass by helping Father John and Father Jeremy.Our Altar Servers are trained mostly on the job – at Holy Mass – by more experienced Altar Servers, who themselves were trained under the same buddy system.Fathers John and Jeremy take an extreme interest in the training and welfare of our Altar Servers; this includes an explanation before Mass and then guided by the Altar Server Buddy.There is an archaic saying of throwing people in the deep end – exactly the opposite happens at St. Mary’s

FAMILY FRIENDLY ROSTER

We know that from time to time, kids get sick, just want to sleep, and then there are other members of the family to be considered both older and younger. So we have the Family Friendly Roster. A Draft Roster goes out on Tuesday evening and let us say your Altar Server is rostered for 9am Sunday Mass but you have Soccer training at that time; you email me back, and I will swap you around or put Mass duty on for another day that you suggest. On Thursday, I send out the same roster with all of the changes you and others have requested and this is the Confirmed Roster – one we actually go with.Then of course there are last minute hitches, accidents etc that can be expected from time to time. If you don’t get to Mass as rostered there is no drama.

RESPONSIBILITY

Our Altar Servers learn responsibility early with simple tasks such as robing themselves, ringing the bells at the correct time, and holding the book. Over a period of time, they become Leader at Mass which is an important part of the Mass and all of the Altar Servers work to get this recognition. Then next year, they teach the new Altar Servers.

INDUCTION AND TRAINING (2019-2020)

Induction this year will be on Saturday 30 November, 2019 at 1pm at the Worship Centre. It will take about 90 minutes. Parents and children will be shown how to dress and how they fit into the Mass. Parents will be spoken to at length in a group. Some of our new Altar Server will commence serving immediately that night at Vigil and then others the weekend.