Welcome to the St. Francis of Assisi Servers! Service to God and to one another is an important aspect of our Christian life. All of us are called to share our time and our talents, to help wherever we can, for the glory of God. The St. Francis community is tremendously proud of and grateful for the youth in our parish who have committed themselves to this ministry. In order to help you in your service the following guidelines have been established.

• Arrive 15 minutes early and sign in when you arrive. If you are subbing for someone, cross their name off the list and write in your last name.
  
• When vesting, make sure you are wearing the proper size cassock. Please do not wear the bulky running shoes.
  
• The first altar server to arrive should light the dandles after vesting.
  
• For the processional, line up at the main entrance with the crossbearer first and then the two other servers, followed by the choir (at 9:30 am only), the lectors, the deacon and the priest.
  
• Proceed down the aisle when the entrance hymn begins. The crossbearer does not bow at the altar but proceeds directly to put the cross in the stand. The other two servers bow together and go to their pew together. However, if there is no deacon, the bookholder should go immediately up the altar to hold the small sacramentary for the priest.
  
• When there is no deacon, the bookholder holds the small sacramentary for the priest and at the end of the Opening Prayer, puts it back on the table where is was found. The server then goes and sits with the other servers.
  
• When Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered (9:30 and 11:15 am) the crossbearer will go and get the cross to lead the children from the main church. (Sometimes the priest may forget to call forth the children. If this happens, discreetly remind him as you go up to get the cross.) Stand about 2 or 3 pews back in the aisle closest to the down stair door. When the children are dismissed, you will lead them to the back door and stand there until they have all departed. Leave the cross in the back to be retrieved later at the Presentation of the gifts. Do NOT return the cross to the altar.
  
• After the homily, if there is no deacon, the bookholder should go and hold the small sacramentary for the priest during the Creed and the General Intercessions.
  
• At the collection time, when the ushers have passed the pew where the altar servers are seated. The altar servers should begin the dressing of the altar. This should be done in the following manner:

• One server will take the sacramentary and holder and place it on the lft side of the altar, placing it at an angle so that the priest can easily read from it.
  
• The second altar server should take up the chalice and corporal, placing the corporal in the middle of the altar and unfolding it. (If there is a second corporal, this should be unfolded and placed at the right hand corner of the altar.) The chalice should then be placed on the right hand side of the altar, to the right of the corporal inn the middle of the altar.
  
• The third altar server will bring up the small cruet of water and place it on the right side of the altar, next to the chalice.

• The crossbearer takes the cross from the crossholder (unless the cross is already in the aback because of Children’s Liturgy of the word) and all the altar servers go to the back of the church for the Presentation of the Gifts – with the cross leading the way.
  
• Line up in front of the offertory table with the crossbearer first. Normally, when the priest stands and comes to the top of the steps, you begin to walk up the aisle. However, you need to make sure that the ushers and those bearing the gifts are also ready. This is especially important to remember when the children are returning from Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
  
• The crossbearer goes directly to the crossholder to replace the cross and then if necessary comes down to help the priest with the gifts of bread and wine. The other two altar servers stand next to the priest and deacon and takes the gifts to the altar.
  
• The crossbearer should go to his/her seat while one of the serves goes to the credence table for the lavabo and towel – which should be draped over the left arm (the water should already be on the altar). Stand to the right side of the altar (as it faces the people).
  
• After the priest offers the gifts, the server who is not holding the lavabo should pour water over the priest’s hands. After he had dried his hands with the towel, both servers should bow and return to their seats.
  
• At the Consecration, ring the bell once (at each elevation) – when the Host is elevated and then when the Chalice is elevated. Wait until the priest has finished speaking.
  

1. This is my Body which is given for you (Ring bells)
2. Do this in memory of Me. (Ring bells)

• At the sign of peace, come up and offer the priest a sign of peace then each other and those around you.
  
• At communion time you will receive communion with the Eucharistic Ministers. When the priest and other minister have finished giving communion at the stations nearest to your pew, go up and join the other ministers around the altar.
  
• When the priest says "Let us pray" if there is no deacon, the bookholder should go immediately to the altar to hold the book. When the prayers are finished place the book on the table and return to your pew.
  
• After the final blessing the crossbearer gets the cross and goes to the middle aisle and the other tow servers stand at the end of the first pew of the middle aisle.
  
• When the priest bows, the two servers without the cross also bow and all turn and proceed down the aisle.
  
• At the end of the Liturgy one server needs to extinguish the candles.
  
• Rehang your cassocks in the proper place and be sure they are snapped at the top. This prevents then from falling off the hangers onto the floor.

This is your ministry – one of the few made available to the young people of our parish. It is important and you have the opportunity to perform it with style and grace. Keep your hands clean and folded at all times. Do not rush around the altar. And above, stay aware of all that is happening on the altar. Always follow what the priest and deacon are doing and you will be able to determine if you are needed.