Altar Servers Team
WALLSEND | SHORTLAND
Serving at the Altar, Growing in Faith
The Altar Servers Team has a special place in the liturgical life of our parish. Altar servers assist the priest and the worshipping community during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other liturgies. Through their attentive and reverent service, they contribute to the prayerful, dignified and orderly celebration of the Church’s worship.
Serving at the altar is much more than carrying out practical tasks. It is a ministry of service, prayer and participation. Altar servers assist with the processions, the preparation of the altar, the sacred vessels, candles, incense and other aspects of the liturgy. By learning when to stand, move, respond and assist, servers help the celebration flow smoothly and allow the priest and congregation to focus more fully on prayer.
Growing in Faith Through Service
Altar serving provides a wonderful opportunity for children and young people to become more actively involved in parish life. Being close to the altar helps young servers become familiar with the Mass, understand its different parts and symbols, and develop a deeper appreciation for the Eucharist.
The ministry also helps develop valuable personal qualities such as responsibility, confidence, teamwork, punctuality, attentiveness and leadership. Young people learn that their contribution matters and that they have an important place within the Church. Friendships can develop among servers, and serving together can strengthen their sense of belonging to the parish community.
Altar serving is not only for children and young people. Adults and senior parishioners are also warmly encouraged to serve, particularly at Masses where younger servers may not be readily available. Their experience, reliability and example can greatly enrich this ministry and provide valuable encouragement and guidance to younger members.
Our Altar Servers at Divine Mercy Parish
At Divine Mercy Parish Wallsend–Shortland, we are blessed to have a good and enthusiastic team of altar servers, particularly at the 8.00 am Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Victories, Shortland, and the 9.30 am Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s, Wallsend. We are very grateful to our servers and their families for their commitment and generous service.
As our parish continues to grow, however, we would love to see this ministry develop further. We particularly encourage more children and young people to become altar servers, while also inviting adults and senior parishioners to consider serving at our other weekend and weekday Masses.
No previous experience is necessary. Training, guidance and ongoing support will be provided, enabling new servers to become comfortable and confident in their ministry.
An Invitation to Serve
The altar belongs at the heart of our Catholic community, and serving there is a privilege as well as a responsibility. It is an opportunity to offer your time and talents to God while helping the whole parish to worship well.
We warmly invite children, young people and adults who may be interested to come forward and become part of our Altar Servers Team.
There is a place for you at the altar, a gift you can share, and a community grateful for your service.
