Altar Servers

Altar Serving is a privilege. We are blessed with servers that are both young and learning to serve as well as adults that are more experienced. Since we have experienced servers we are able to assist with Solemnities such as Easter, Christmas, Corpus Christi and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

We have both Servers and Senior Servers. Our Senior Servers help mentor the servers on the Altar so they are able to observe up close and see from the Altar perspective what is expected and what is to be learned. 

We also have a group of experienced servers who serve at the Extraordinary Form celebrations, and Fr. Carter periodically offers a training program for new servers who wish to serve for the Extraordinary Form Mass. Normally, trainees must have made their first Holy Communion.

All ages and experience levels are encouraged (after receiving First Holy Communion). We believe that serving not only is a privilege but a way to be closer to Christ in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Training for the Ordinary Form

Altar Server training for the Ordinary Form is held on certain Monday evenings in the church (schedule is subject to change). Contact Deacon Hicks Armor for more information.

Training for the Extraordinary Form

Fr. Carter has begun offering training sessions to strengthen and grow our altar server program for the Extraordinary Form for boys and men. Future training sessions for new servers will be announced. Training requires study at home (prior to training and during training), attendance in mandatory sessions, and serving at 7am Low Masses as scheduled, to prepare to serve Sunday Mass.

As a prerequisite to the training, potential servers should learn to say the Latin prayers of the Mass. These prayers are listed in the book, How to Serve: In Simple, Solemn and Pontifical Functions. Please obtain a copy of this book, study the introduction and the section about the Low Mass, and work on learning these prayers, even before attending the training sessions.

Learn to say the Latin prayers for Mass
(LISTEN and PRACTICE here)

All servers ages 18 and up are required to be certified through the Diocesan Safe Environment program in order to serve.

Safe Haven Program Summary for the Diocese of Knoxville - please READ

Safe Haven Volunteer Instructions and Online Training - please COMPLETE

Safe Haven Certification

Read here about St. Tarcisius, Martyr,
Patron Saint of First Communicants and of Altar Servers

"Assisting your priest in service at the altar helps to make Jesus closer so that people can understand, can realize better: He is here." - Pope Benedict XVI