Altar Servers

Altar Server Installation
Coming in October

We welcome the newest members of one of the largest parish altar server ministries in the archdiocese and express our heartfelt gratitude to their parents and families. All servers must be present. This is our tradition.

Training

Boys and girls currently in the grade five and up (at least 10 years old) are invited to join this truly special ministry. The total session time is 2.0 hours. All parents must attend this session.

An Altar Server is a minister who is trained to anticipate the needs of the presider during liturgy and meet those needs with grace and reverence. This vital ministry involves over 100 of our young people in grades 5 through 12. Training takes place once a year over seven weeks in late winter/early spring. Parents are required to attend the first training session with their child(ren). Installation of first year altar servers takes place in October. We are so proud that our altar servers, led by Mr. Bob Shadduck, are invited to serve at the Cathedral on different occasions every year.

If you are interested, please contact:
Bob Shadduck
Altar Servers Coordinator
(805) 987·4620 (Home)
(805) 377·3527 (Cell)
[email protected]

About

When we assemble to celebrate our liturgies, someone needs to take responsibility for freeing the presider from various details so he may give full attention to presiding. The someone who takes this responsibility is called an altar server.

Sometimes we think of altar servers as ministers who simply memorize their movements and words and add solemnity to the precession in and out. The need of the presider and of the whole assembly is not for such purely mechanical help. The need is for someone who knows the order of the liturgy thoroughly, can anticipate each movement and need, and can meet these with grace and reverence.

The purpose of the training period of seven sessions is to help the server to become totally familiar with the ordinary order of the Mass, and to give the server a sense of how to move, carry things, and keep stillness and silence as well as carry out the different responsibilities.

Children, (currently in the grade 5 and up, and at least 10 years old) and teens are invited to join this truly special ministry. Training takes place in late winter/early spring. Parents are required to attend the first training session with their child(ren).

Training takes place in late winter/early spring. Parents are required to attend the first training session with their child(ren). Installation of first year altar servers takes place in October.

About Bob Shadduck

Robert D. Shadduck is the Director of Altar Servers, a position held for 20 years. He holds a Certificate of Director of Liturgy from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and has worked as Director of Worship in two parishes. Bob has served as master of ceremonies for several bishops and directed major liturgies including Dedication of a Church, ordinations, Chrism Masses, countless Triduum liturgies, and Confirmations. He has worked with the RCIA process for over eighteen years as catechist and director of rites. Bob received both his bachelor and master degrees from Loyola University of Los Angeles. In 1999, he was bestowed the Papal Honor “Benemerenti” by Pope John Paul II, in recognition of committed service to Christ and the Church. He is also the recipient of the Ad Altare Dei award.

Bob Shadduck co-authored Guide for Servers (Español), a book in The Liturgical Ministry Series published by Liturgy Training Publications in Chicago.

Also visit: