altar servers

To be an Altar Server is to take a special role in the liturgical life of the church.  But what does this mean? 

Your role would be to help ensure the mass and special services run smoothly.  We are providing a form of ministry and service to both God and our Parish community.  

At Sacred Heart, we have a great legacy of Altar Servers that enable everyone in the church to raise their minds and hearts to God.  Our servers learn not just how to serve, but also the meaning behind the actions of the mass, and therefore can develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the Holy Sacrifice.  

New servers are invited annually to receive training once a week for up to 6-weeks before joining the regular rota.  The rota is there to ensure everyone has an opportunity to learn and perform a particular role, but all servers are expected to be in the sanctuary every mass they attend.  Training of advanced roles takes place as your confidence develops.  The most senior servers hold the role of Master of Ceremonies, where they are responsible for managing and guiding both the Priests, the servers, and all those participating in the ceremony.  

After a year’s service, servers are invited to join the Guild of Saint Stephen, the international for Altar Servers.  In joining the Guild, servers will make a vow to serve with care, reverence, and understanding, particularly when they are needed.  Having made their promise, servers are invested with the Guild’s bronze medal.  After 10 years of significant involvement, servers may be awarded a silver medal, and after 50 years with a gold medal.  

Sacred Heart has been affiliated with the Guild since 1933, most appropriately as two National Directors of the Guild have served as Parish Priests in our parish:  Monsignor Edward Sutton (1933 – 1964) and Fr Peter Latham (1993-2002) and our previous Parish Priest, Fr Duncan (1948-2022), was a former Parochial Master of Ceremonies.  Also, several of our parish’s altar servers have gone on to serve as priests. 

We are very fortunate to have 30 Guild enrolled altar servers, of which 6 hold silver medals. This is a reflection of their dedication to the Parish throughout the year. 

If you would like to know more about serving please talk to one of the senior servers in the sacristy or email ruislip.servers@outlook.com .