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New Altar Server Registration
All boys and girls of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish ages 10 thru high school who have already received their First Holy Communion are invited to join our altar server team. Practices will be scheduled at both churches as needed.
For more information about being an altar server, please contact Joe Smagala.
E-Mail: jsmagala@ollakes.org
cell / text: 724-713-1455
Name
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First
Last
Date
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Please check only one (1) of the following choices:
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I am a grade school student (grades 3 through 8) who wishes to become an altar server
I am a high school student (grades 9 through 12) who wishes to become an altar server
I am an adult who is interested in serving morning Masses and / or funerals
Home / Mailing Address
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Street Address
City
State / Province / Region
Postal / Zip Code
Phone
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Please indicate:
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Cell (my own)
Cell (my parents)
Landline
Email
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Age (required for grade school and high school students only)
Grade (required for grade school and high school students only)
Parent or Guardian Approval ~ For grade school and high school students, please type your name and your relationship to the new altar server (mother, father, etc.) here.
If you are registering to become an adult altar server, please type your own name and indicate "self" here
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Please read the following letter to parents / guardians and new altar servers before making the commitment to become an altar server.
Dear Parents / Guardians and Altar Servers:
Let me begin by saying “thank you” for answering God’s call to serve Him at the altar. The role of altar server is an ancient and important one in the Church, and it is one that requires commitment not only on the part of the child, but the parents as well. The priest and worshipping community depend on the altar server’s presence and assistance for a reverent and orderly celebration of Holy Mass. No priest should ever have to celebrate Mass without an altar server to assist him. (At our parish, adult altar servers perform these duties at weekday Masses.)
Because the altar servers have certain duties to perform before Mass begins, it is very important for them to arrive at church on time. The altar servers should be in the sacristy and dressed in their albs at least ten minutes before the scheduled time for Mass to begin. Altar servers should have their faces and hands washed, and their hair neatly combed.
On average, altar servers should expect to have at least one serving assignment per month, possibly more. Altar Servers are expected to be available to serve at either Transfiguration or St. Victor Churches. Schedules cover a three-month time period, and are prepared four times a year. Schedules are e-mailed to all the altar servers, and are also posted on the parish websites and in the sacristy at each church. Paper copies of the schedules are made available for anyone who does not have e-mail or Internet access.
Any altar server who is unable to serve as scheduled must try to arrange for a substitute. Updated telephone and e-mail directories are distributed with the schedules whenever changes to them have been made, and are also always available on the parish website and on the parish mobile app. Do not call the rectory or parish office to arrange a substitute. You may text or e-mail me and I will forward the request to all the altar servers to see who might be available.
A few weeks before each new set of schedules is prepared, I will e-mail everyone asking if you have any scheduling requests. I will always do my best to schedule everyone according to their needs and requests. Please keep in mind that the more flexible you are (including availability to serve at either church), the more serving assignments I’ll be able to give you.
Whenever a wedding is scheduled, altar server volunteers will be requested approximately 4 to 6 weeks in advance of the wedding. The first two volunteers to accept will be assigned to serve the wedding. Volunteers must be available to attend the wedding rehearsal in order to serve the wedding. All wedding serving assignments will be handled in cooperation with the parish Marriage Ceremony coordinator.
Funerals are normally served by adult altar servers who are assigned by the Funeral Ministry coordinator, but children may serve funerals if requested by the family of the deceased.
In closing, let me say that it is a tremendous honor to be an altar server. During Mass, you are closer to Jesus than anyone except the priest. God has chosen you for a very important job, and the way in which you perform your duties before, during, and after Mass shows everyone your love for Jesus and His Church. Thank you and God bless you for answering His call to serve at the altar.
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Joe Smagala Cell: 724-713-1455 E-Mail: jsmagala@ollakes.org
