Altar Servers
Welcome to the St. John Altar Servers!
A Brief History
St. John has a long and proud history of dedicated altar servers. The ministry has seen tremendous growth over the years, thanks to the selfless dedication of those who have volunteered to train altar servers. We would like to express our special thanks to Fr. Martin Mandele, who took up the responsibility of teaching the altar servers when there was a shortage of people to train them. He not only taught the altar servers their roles in the liturgy but also helped to attract more servers to the ministry. After his return to his native country, the group has remained active, and we are grateful to all its dedicated members and leaders for pushing the group to where we are today.
Leadership
The group is currently led by a strong team of:
- Fredrick Ochieng, Michael Kahare , Dennis Otieno , Paul Kinyua.
- Spiritan Brothers: Br Emmanuel and Br Harrison
- Incarnate Word Sisters: Sr Rose and Sr Muzungu
They are then followed closely by the current group’s president, Mr. Ivan Njuguna.
Altar Servers Ministry
Altar serving is a form of ministry that allows young people to actively participate in the worship life of the Church. Altar servers receive training to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and perform them with reverence.
Our Importance During Liturgy
- As altar servers, we play a crucial role in the liturgy. We help to ensure that the liturgy flows smoothly, assist the celebrant, and embody the spirit of service within the sacred rituals of the Church. Some of our specific roles include:
- Assistance to the Celebrant: We assist the priest during the celebration of the Mass. We help to ensure that the liturgy flows smoothly by anticipating the needs of the celebrant and providing support.
- Symbolic Representation: The actions of altar servers often carry symbolic meaning. For example, carrying the processional cross and candles symbolizes the light of Christ entering the worship space. The use of incense represents prayers rising to heaven.
- Enhancing the Worship Experience: Altar servers contribute to the solemnity and beauty of the liturgy. Our actions and presence add a visual and auditory dimension to the worship experience, enhancing the overall sense of reverence and awe.
Learning and Formation: Serving as an altar server provides an opportunity for young individuals to actively participate in the life of the Church. It serves as a form of youth
How to Join as an Altar Server.
If you are interested in becoming an altar server, we encourage you to contact us. We are always looking for new members, and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Requirements
- To be eligible to become an altar server, you must:
- Be at least 8 years old
- Have received your First Holy Communion
- Be a regular attendee at Mass
- Be respectful of the sacred nature of the liturgy
- Be committed to attending training sessions and rehearsals
- Parental consent is often required for minors to become altar servers. Parents or guardians may need to support their child’s involvement in this ministry.
Activities
In addition to our liturgical duties, we also participate in a variety of social and service activities. These activities help us to build strong bonds of friendship and community, and they also provide us with opportunities to give back to our parish and community. Some of our past activities have included:
- Tree planting
- Movies
- Fun days
- Sports
We are always looking for new and exciting activities to participate in, and we encourage all of our altar servers to get involved.