Please arrive 20 minutes before Mass. That seems really early, but you don’t want to be rushing around getting ready those last few minutes before mass!
Put on an ALB, CINCTURE(belt) and SERVER CROSS.
Put on the server’s table:
1 chalice & 3 cups
4 purificators (small white cloths like napkins)
BREAD PLATE
Pitcher of water, bowl & towel
Put the SACRAMENTARY (red book) on the table by Fr.’s chair.
Put the clear plastic stand for the Book of the Gospels on the altar.
Light CANDLES for Mass. (Lighters and matches are in top drawer in sacristy.)
Ask Father if anything different is going on at this Mass.
Entrance Procession:
The server with the cross leads the procession. The other server, the lector and the priest follow. When you get to the front of the church, if you have the cross, go to the side that the cross stand is on - don’t go up the steps yet!
If you have the cross, don’t bow when the priest bows. If you do not have the cross, bow.
Put the cross in the stand and go to one of the chairs. The other server should go over by the server’s table. If you are the only server, go over by the server’s table. Stay standing.
After the Gloria, Father will say "Let us pray". The server by the table gets the SACRAMENTARY, and holds it so he can read from it. When he's finished, put it back on the table.
Sit when the people sit.
During the Offertory Hymn (when the Ushers are taking up the collection):
Put the clear plastic stand for the Book of the Gospels on the bottom shelf of the server’s table
Put the CHALICE, the CUPS, the PURIFICATORS, and the SACRAMENTARY on the altar. Place the cups on the small white cloth - this cloth is used to protect the large altar cloth in case something spills. Put the purificators all in a stack - not on top of the cups.
After the ushers have finished taking up the collection:
Go with the priest to get the gifts.
Fr. Jeff will give you the collection basket. It goes on the steps by the back altar.
A priest other than Fr. Jeff might hand you the BREAD and WINE. Go to the side of the altar but hold the bread and wine until the priest takes it from you.
Get the PITCHER OF WATER and hold it until the priest takes it from you.
When the priest hands you the empty wine container put it on the server’s table.
Get the bowl and the towel for Father to wash his hands. Put the bowl and pitcher back on the table and stand by the table.
If Father gives you the SACRAMENTARY put it on the table by his chair.
At the Sign of Peace:
Take the BREAD PLATE from the server’s table and put it on the altar. Then take your place with the other ministers to receive Communion.
During Communion:
If the SACRAMENTARY is still on the altar, put it on the table by the priest. You can sit down during Communion.
After Communion:
If any bowls or cups are left on the altar, take them to the server’s table.
After Father finishes purifying the vessels he might sit down for a moment or he might just stand at his chair. Next he will need the SACRAMENTARY, so be ready to take it to him when he says “Let us pray”.
At the Final Hymn:
Go with the priest to the bottom of the steps and wait for all the ministers. If you carried the cross in, the other server should carry it out. Bow when Father does (unless you have the cross) then the servers lead the group out. If you are not carrying the cross then carry your music book and sing with the people.
After Mass:
Help bring the cups and bowls into the sacristy, where the Eucharistic ministers will wash them.
Carefully blow the candles out - don't slash the wax on the altar cloth!
Check to see if anything else needs to be done.
Take off your alb, and hang it up on the right color hanger! Fasten the Velcro or zip the zipper so that the alb stays on the hanger and does not fall on the floor.
REMEMBER!
Always be asking yourself – “What happens next?” so that you are ready.
Pay attention during mass.
Look at Father from time to time to see if he needs anything.
Sometimes during Mass you might need help or forget what is next. Ask Father or your serving partner for help. Don’t worry – you’ll remember after a few times!
Mistakes sometimes happen; don’t get upset - just do your best.
WHAT ARE THESE?
ALB - the robes worn by servers. Albs represent our baptismal garments, the white gown that parents dress their child in when the child is baptized.
CHALICE - Wine cup that the priest uses
CINCTURE - belt that looks like rope
CONSECRATED - a word that means "blessed." At Mass, the priest says special prayers of blessing in the name of all the people to "consecrate" or bless the bread and wine. It is at this time when we ask God to change our simple gifts of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. We ask God to also change our hearts - so that we too can become the body and blood of Christ for one another - sharing in the ministry of Jesus and the mission of the Church.
CIBORIUM—special container for consecrated hosts
SERVER’S TABLE - the server’s table where the wine cups and bowls are kept during mass
CRUET OR WINE DECANTER - the container the wine is carried in
CRUET OR WATER PITCHER - a small glass pitcher filled with tap water (not Holy Water)
HOLY WATER - water that has been blessed by the priest
PURIFICATOR - small clothes used to wipe the wine cups during communion
SACRAMENTARY - book of prayers Father uses during mass
SACRISTY - the room where the priest and other ministers get ready for Mass
TABERNACLE - the special place where the consecrated hosts are kept after Mass
VESSELS - another name for any of the wine cups or bread bowls
VESTMENTS - the special garments the priest wears at Mass. He wears an alb (like the severs), a chasuble (the colored outer garment) and a stole (the vestment that he wears around his neck)