Altar Servers
St. Joseph
Altar Servers assist the Priest and Deacons at the Altar during liturgical functions. Students in the fourth grade or older are invited to train with our sacristan, Roger Buch, to learn their duties, gain a better understanding of the Mass, learn the names and function of the vessels and Liturgical books used during the various Liturgies throughout the Church year. Altar servers must have been baptized and received First Holy Communion to be able to serve.
St. Jerome
Historically men and boys have substituted as servers at worship when an instituted acolyte was not present.
The discipline of the Church, in view of the 1992 authoritative interpretation of Canon 2302 permits the diocesan bishop to entrust the functions of the instituted acolyte to females as well as to males. (Altar Servers Norms for the Diocese of Kalamazoo)
All parishioners are invited to be part of this ministry. Boys and girls fourth grade and up and men and women are also encouraged to be part of this ministry. Altar Servers help set up for mass and assist the priest during our liturgical celebrations. A training and formation period must be completed.