Altar servers assist the priests and deacons of the parish during the celebration of Mass. Boys and girls who have completed fifth grade, have received their First Holy Communion, and are currently enrolled in a Catholic Education Program may participate.

As a visible member of the St. Nicholas Parish ministry team, the Altar Servers have a responsibility to serve as an example to others of one’s commitment to his/her faith. Serving prayerfully with reverence, respect and attentiveness to the assigned tasks is very important.


Some of the tasks they perform include carrying the Cross, processional candles, hold the book for the priest when he is not standing at the altar, present the bread, wine and water to the priest and assist him in gathering the gifts from the people as well as many other things. Considering how critical these tasks are to the Mass, the Altar Servers participate in extensive training. They receive instruciton the Mass and its parts, their meaning, the many objects used in the liturgy (names and usage) and the various functions of the servers. In addition to some formal training, they work with the more experienced senior servers as they learn their responsibilities. The following collage is a pictorial of the myriad of functions the Altar Servers master.