To serve on the altar is a great honor and a serious responsibility. The ministry maintains a tradition dating back to the fourth century when the Church gave official status to those assisting the clergy. In a message to Altar Server on August 1, 2001, Pope John Paul II said, "You are far more than helpers of the parish priests, you are servants of Jesus Christ the eternal High Priest. You are especially called to be young friends of Jesus, as you serve, you prepare yourselves a great and precious treasure in heaven."

Marie Cavanaugh (coordinator) and Melinda Casteloes (trainer) run the altar server ministry at St. Gabriel's. In order to become an altar server, boy and girls must be at least nine years old, complete a ten week course, and pass a server test. The training consists of learning the names of all the altar vessels and memorizing the order of the Mass so the servers know what to do during the various parts of the Mass.

New servers wear white cords during their first year. After the first year, servers wear colored cords according to the Church seasons: Lent/Advent (purple), Pentecost (red), Ordinary time (green).

Once someone has served five years, he/she receives a gold crucifix and may wear a gold cord for special occasions such as Easter season.

For more information about this ministry and/or to sign up for the next Altar Server class, please contact the parish office.