Students in Grade 5 through 12 may join the Altar Server Ministry.  

Two training sessions are required before a server is considered fully trained. 

Ongoing formation is regularly offered and encouraged for all servers. 

The parents of our young Altar Servers are integral to the success of this Ministry.  The support you show your child and ASM is appreciated.  We know that in many cases they can only serve the Mass if you are helping them get to the church and manage a busy life schedule.  Thank you for being amazing parents and helping them to form a relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist!

New PARENTS: Your involvement with scheduling, orientation, and prayer is very important to your child's participation in the ministry.  You are invited to attend training sessions with your kids, review the Instructional Videos & Terms with them.  It is crucial that you learn how to use the MSP scheduling software with your server.  We ask you to also be a prayer warrior for the ministry!

Be a Prayer Warrior:  Every activity of the Church needs a firm foundation of prayer to root it properly in Jesus Christ and keep the influence of the Enemy far from it. You can be the front line against spiritual attack and the special operations which allow our ministry to serve Jesus Christ in the Sacrifice of the Altar. We ask you to offer a prayer every day for our Altar Servers and especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and consider fasting one day a month of the spiritual protection of those who serve.

Laundry & Server Room: Practical elements of keeping Server Vesting room orderly and vestments clean is important.  Please contact Joanne Gill to help volunteer with this aspect of ASM.

Training: Help us form our young men and women in the Ministry of Altar Server.   Requires VIRTUS training and background check.

New Server Training takes place annually in September after kids have had some time to settle into the new school year.  

Monday sessions take place in the Church on the 2nd and 3rd Monday of September from 5:00-6:15 PM. Families are welcome to attend with their servers. [2024: September 9 and 16]

Saturday sessions take place in the Church on the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of September beginning at 3:00 PM and ending at 5:30 after the Saturday Mass.  Families are welcome to attend with their servers and go to Mass together. [2024: Saturday, September 14 and 21]

Students must attend at least two training sessions prior to being scheduled in MSP.  Choose at least one Saturday but any combination of days is ok.  You may also coordinate additional Shadow Training with Joanne Gill.

New Parents:  Your involvement with scheduling, orientation, and prayer is very important to your child's participation in the ministry.  You are invited to attend training sessions with your kids, review the Instructional Videos & Terms with them.  

It is crucial that you learn how to use the MSP scheduling software with your server.  We ask you to also be a prayer warrior for the ministry!

Shadow Training with Mrs. Gill:  Learning by doing is a very practical and effective training method.  Shadow training takes place in the summer or late September at 7:45 a.m. Daily Mass and is most successful when you are able to serve two or three days in succession.  Up to three servers may serve Daily Mass along side Mrs. Gill and be guided in each server position (1-4).  You would arrive 45 minutes prior to Mass for pre-Mass training and stay about 15 minutes after Mass for review.

Please contact Joanne Gill for more details and to request training.

Shadowing Skilled/Captains:

Novice servers are scheduled with experienced servers who act as mentors and guides.  Novices are encouraged to ask questions and when they are feeling comfortable ask to try other roles with the guidance of the mentors.  Novices are also encouraged to accept Sub requests early on when there is a Captain/Skilled servers schedule to assist you.

Please join us for monthly formation sessions that will further your understanding of the Mass and refine your practical skills.  Attending these sessions is a step in your progression as an Altar Server and we hope that you will choose to attend them all as there is always more to learn! 

Sessions will take place on Tuesday afternoons in the Church on the dates noted below. Each one-hour session begins promptly at 3:30pm with spiritual formation followed by refining the practical actions you already do during Mass. The topics differ each month as noted below.  You are encouraged to attend any and all sessions year after year as the questions you ask lend to excellent discussion. 

OCTOBER 22, 2024

 Pilgrimage of the Mass & The Procession (cross, candles, pace)

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 

The Real Presence of Jesus & Dressing the Altar (chalice, ciborium, trays)

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Servant of the Priest & Assisting during Mass (Roman missal, cruets, washing hands)

JANUARY 7, 2025

Liturgy as Art and Science & Attending the Priest (the sacristy and its contents)

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

The Sacrifice of the Mass & The Offertory (receiving the gifts, Jesus in the Tabernacle) 

MARCH 11, 2025

Prayer of the Church & The Thurible (how, when, why)

APRIL 15, 2025

Jesus in the Mass & Liturgy of the Word (posture, prayer, bells)

MAY 13, 2025

Praying the Mass & Being a good example (responses, Gloria, preparation)

Novice - 0-2 years

Skilled - 2-3 years or proven proficiency

Captain - 3-4 plus years or proven proficiency (typically Grade 8 and up)

Master - This highest level server is a Captain that is hand-picked, is typically in High School, and has leadership qualities.  Selection is based on expertise, knowledge of the Mass, and the ability to mentor other servers. 

Our captains and skilled servers are asked to act as mentors and offer gentle guidance to newer servers.  This includes encouraging them to try other roles with your guidance.  

NOTE: If a priest, deacon, or instructor asks you to perform a task for the Mass that is outside your role for that day, please be respectful and do as you are asked or find the server responsible for that duty.

Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) is a software program that is used by Saint Raphael Parish for scheduling Altar Servers and all other Liturgical ministers.  This semi-automated process takes into consideration experience levels, vacation dates, and family groupings to fit your busy schedule.

Schedules are created through MSP according to the Liturgical Year and based on the preferences and "can't serve" dates you provide in MSP.  

During the summer, all our student servers are scheduled for the 7:45 and 9:15 Daily Masses in addition to weekend Masses.

When school begins, only the SRS servers will be scheduled for the Daily Masses, while all our servers will continue to be scheduled for Weekend Masses or other Holy Day evening Masses.

The frequency with which you are scheduled is directly related to the number of servers in our program.  We currently have approximately 95 servers and 12 Masses during a typical week.  

Before a new schedule is produced, families are given the opportunity to request a regular Mass or two that has special importance to your family.  For instance, a memorial Mass for a loved one or perhaps a Mass when your extended family will be visiting.

Holiday Masses are not scheduled by MSP.  All servers will be given an opportunity to choose these Masses at the appropriate time.  PLEASE NOTE:  The days surrounding the holidays ARE scheduled by MSP so it is VERY IMPORTANT to update your "can't serve" dates in MSP when you know you will be out of town.

Login, Manage your account, Fill open positions, Set "not available dates", Request a substitute and more!

Download the MSP App from the Play Store or the AppStore,  search "Ministry Scheduler Pro".        

Organization ID: straphael

VIDEO: MSP App for Volunteers:  https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/video/117

VIDEO: Updating your MSP Profile: https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/video/30

VIDEO: Volunteer Sign-in at Kiosk: https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/video/102

PDF: Printable Guide for MSP Web Terminal and App

Find more through the Help menu on the MSP Terminal.

If your Swap or Sub Request in MSP hasn't been filled, please use the ASM Roster to call around for help filling your position.  

ROSTER LOCATION: Login to MSP from your computer (not the App at this time) and click the Roster tab along the top of the Web Terminal.  This roster is updated in real-time when servers make changes to their profiles.

Server 1:  Candlebearer, Dress the Altar (Chalice), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Wine cruet at Preparation of Gifts, Lavabo & water for Washing of Hands, Clear the Altar, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion

Server 2: Candlebearer, Dress the Altar (Missal), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Water cruet at Preparation of Gifts, Towel at Washing of Hands, Light processional candles at Communion, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion

Server 3: Crossbearer, Ring bells at Consecration

Server 4: Walk behind Cross in Procession, Hold Missal for priest at Collect, Hold Missal for priest after Communion

Server 1: Candlebearer, Flanks the Station during the prayers

Server 2: Crossbearer, Stand to the Celebrants LEFT during the prayers

Server 3: Candlebearer, Flanks the Station during the prayers

Server 1: Crossbearer, Ring Bowl at Vows, Dress the Altar (Chalice), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Wine cruet at Preparation of the Gifts, Lavabo & water for Washing of Hands, Bells at Consecration, Clear the Altar, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion

Server 2: Walk behind Cross in Procession, Holy Water at Vows, Dress the Altar (Missal), Tray(s) of cups/ciboria, Receive the gifts at the Offertory, Water cruet at Preparation of the Gifts, Towel at Washing of Hands, Flowers at Sign of Peace (if applicable), Clear the Altar, Trays back to Credence Table after Communion, Flowers for Mary after Communion (if applicable)

3 or 4 Servers are used at First Communion Masses as outlined in the printable aid.

Servers will lead the Offertory,  Usher First Communicants,  move kneelers

Practice @ 2pm, Saturday prior 

Server 1: Candlebearer, other standard Mass duties, Gospel Procession

Server 2: Candlebearer, other standard Mass duties, Gospel Procession

Server 3: Crossbearer and Bells

Server 4: Bookbearer