Societal Report For Altar Servers

SOCIETAL REPORT FOR SSPJ ARCHBISHOP’S EPISCOPAL VISIT
1.Executive Summary: The altar servers of saint Philip and James is as old as the Parish from
1998 till date.
2.Introduction
Altar servers have a rich heritage, going back to Jesus himself. In preparation for the Last Supper,
Jesus sent two of his disciples to prepare the Passover for Himself and the Twelve. Over the
centuries, as ceremonies became more complex and Latin became the language of the Church,
specially trained assistants called Acolytes became common. Eventually this evolved into today’s
altar servers who love Jesus, love the Mass, and want to give their time and talents in the service
of God and his Church
Altar Servers have been a part of Church history since the earliest times, with those male faithful
who were deemed worthy assisting the priest at the altar while he said the Holy Mass. From the
very beginning, the duties of “ACOLYTE” or learner were strictly the domain of young males, as
women had no place near the altar.
On 30 June 1992, the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts issued
an authentic interpretation of that canon declaring that service of the altar is one of the "other
functions" open to lay persons in general, without distinguishing between male and female
After Ss Philip and James catholic church was created in 1998, there was need for the Altar
Servers to assist the priest at Holy Mass. The first set of Altar Servers of St Philip and James
Catholic Church were: Bro. Linus Okpe, Bro. Tony Okpe, Bro. Ochelle Dickson, Bro. Donatus Odo,
Bro. Victor Omorinbola. And they became the founding members of the altar in our parish. Under
the guidance of Sir Olagunju, Sir Nwajeyi as Patrons and Mrs Ahime, Mrs. Nejor, Mrs.
Erutor, Mrs. Odiete as Patronesses.
Goals and Objectives of the society

To train Altar servers who will handle all of the tasks assigned to each specific duty. Servers will be
required to memorize the prayer responses of the Mass, know the names of the vestments and sacramental
of the altar, and to learn the Order of the Mass.
To draw closer to God through the privilege of serving Mass.
To acquire a deeper understanding of the ceremonies of the Mass and their meaning.
To cultivate a spirit of reverence, both for the server’s own sake and for the edification of others.
Mission statement and core values

As the altar server’s ministry, we assist the celebrant and worshiping community in the celebration
of the Liturgy of the Mass, special Liturgies and celebrations, and the celebration of the
sacraments. We are blessed to have an intricate role in the Mass, performing specific actions and
setting an example to the congregation by our active participation in the Liturgy. It is our hope
that the tasks we perform will help out worship to draw all of us to participate in an intimate way
during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to desire unity with Jesus Christ.
List of executive members

Bro. Enang John Augustine – President
Bro. Wisdom Solomon- Vice President
Bro. Andore Benjamin – Secretary
Bro. Kamsi financial secretary
Bro. Inyere Daniel Provost
But altogether, there are about 20 active Altar servers in the parish
General meeting days

Altar servers hold her general meeting every first Sunday of the month
Executive meeting days

Executive meeting is every last Sunday of the month
3.List of Activities
Every Saturday immediately after morning Mass: washing of vestment and rehearsals for
mass
Every Sunday immediately after 11am Mass: (lectures and practice in the new church
building)
Servers carry the cross and the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when
he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the
priest during the preparation of the gifts and assist him when he receives the gifts from the
people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.
4.List of Key Achievements
Setting of organizational Structure which has made us so different and unique from other parishes
5.Current Projects:
We are currently working on getting a new set of vestments for all the active altar servers in the
parish.
Also we are currently having a 3month lectures for our newly baptize brothers
6.Spiritual Growth & Impact:

By the special grace of God, the Altar Server has grown spiritually to a level that we know what is
right and what is wrong in the sight of God
And this has help our boys even when they leave to school and other places to become responsible
and God fearing believing that as our slogan say ‘’ Nearer to God is Nearer to the Altar, we
believe that God is always with us and he has called us to serve him just as the bible say in
Romans 8:30 (and those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those
he justified, he also glorified
And to the glory of God, we have our own boys who decided to answer God’s calling into
priesthood, and are currently studying in the seminary hopping to become priest.
7.Future Plans or Activities:

We plan to raise more boys who in the fear of the Lord who will be willing to answer the call of
God as Altar Servers so that the church at any point in time will not lack servers.
We plan to raise the best altar servers in the deanery, archdiocese and the catholic church at large
8.Financials
Because most of the Altar Servers are dependent on their parents/ guardian we have limit our
monthly dues to 200 naira only
9.Challenges:
Lack of vestments
Lack of seriousness among members
Lack of instructors to train the young servers
10.What support do you need?

The basic support we need is patrons who will be ready and willing support us specially to change
our vestments.
11.Conclusions
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. (Hebrews
5:4) The altar servers is a ministry design to bring the you the young boys and girls in the way of
the lord and also to help them discover their calling whether as priest or religious, So I encourage
every catholic Family to give their children the opportunity of becoming altar server. Servers carry
the cross and the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the
altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the
preparation of the gifts and assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands
of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary
12.Recommendations

Societal Report For Altar Servers

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SOCIETAL REPORT FOR SSPJ ARCHBISHOP’S EPISCOPAL VISIT

Goals and Objectives of the society

Mission statement and core values

List of executive members

General meeting days

Executive meeting days

6.Spiritual Growth & Impact:

7.Future Plans or Activities:

10.What support do you need?

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