The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest as he offers the holy sacrifice of the Mass. This is done through specific actions that ease the priest’s main labor of celebrating Mass while adding dignity to it with the pious service of those who love God. Servers are expected to be attentive to what the priest is doing, thoughtful about what is the next part of the liturgy that the priest needs help with, careful with sacred vessels, and intentional about where they stand and how they move in the sanctuary. They are also expected to lead by active participation in the liturgy (hymns, responses, etc.) and to help others focus by being alert themselves, looking in the correct direction, and sitting/standing/kneeling at the appropriate times. 

Servers can be men or boys who have received their First Holy Communion and who have completed all training sessions with the priest. Each server must become aware of their responsibilities, be reverent and respectful at all times, and participate in all prayers and music during services. 

Those who are interested in becoming servers are to contact father at the parish offices either by phone 413-447-7510 or email [email protected]

The Ministry of Lector is to read out the Word of God at each Liturgy. In order to be part of this ministry, the skills for public speaking are important and an aspirant must be aware of how our sound system works, how to properly speak into a microphone, how to move and act in the sanctuary, but most importantly must be able to speak out and project their voice (so the Word of God might be made accessible to everyone assisting at Mass). Also essential is the ongoing growth in studying and praying with the scriptures in our Catholic Tradition.

For more information or to inquire into this ministry, please contact the parish offices at 413-447-7510 or by email [email protected]

Clean linens are absolutely essential at each and every Mass. We have a robust team of individuals who donate their time to the cleaning and correct preparation (folding and starching of the proper type of linen) of altar cloths, but we can always use more help.

Father purifies each linen before they are taken away to be cleaned, ironed, and folded. Those who help in this ministry learn more about what goes into the offering of each Mass and in a special way are like the disciples who prepared Our Lord’s body for burial, since altar linens perform the same function at Mass.

For more information, contact the parish offices at 413-447-7510 or by email [email protected]