As a second grader at St. Peter School in Warwick, Maggie Alvarez thought it was “pretty cool” observing her fellow classmates serving as altar servers at school Masses. As a result, later that year when she made her First Communion, her next move was signing up to be an altar server. When her family moved to North Kingstown three years later, she continued her stewardship at her family’s new parish, Christ the King.
With nine years of experience, Maggie is one of our parish’s veteran altar servers. “I know I play a very small role, but I feel more connected to the Mass, more focused on the homilies and, in my own small way, I feel like I am helping Father Jared spread the word of God.” She noted that she is committed to serve as an altar server at least through high school.
Maggie is now a sophomore at North Kingstown High School and, despite a busy schedule, she finds the time to serve as a trainer for newly committed altar servers ranging in age from third grade to high school. She reviews their tasks on the altar and the liturgical significance associated with each task. She also partners with newly trained ministers when they participate as altar servers for the first time.
Over these past nine years, she has guided many new altar servers. That includes eleven-year-old Robby Alvarez and eight-year-old Theo Alvarez. Yes, they are Maggie’s younger brothers. What is it like to mentor your brothers? “It is a unique opportunity, one of the few times my brothers actually listen to me,” she pointed out. Ten parishioner families currently have two or more siblings serving in this ministry.
Maggie was one of 21 altar servers who attended the annual “Appreciation Pizza Party” in the church hall last week, hosted by Father Jared and Rose Slusarczyk, Religious Formation Specialist and overseer of the Altar Server ministry. During this event, this Pulse writer had the opportunity to ask these young ministry volunteers why they decided to commit their time as altar servers.
Several noted it “helped them feel closer to God.” Others felt “they were privileged to be part of this special group” within the parish. Still others noted the opportunity to earn service hours required at school or as part of their Confirmation program.
All but one seven-year-old admitted they still get a little nervous each time they are on the altar. That seven-year-old explained that “I know Father Jared is proud of us, whether we make a mistake or not, so there is no need to get nervous.”
Currently, the altar server ministry includes 43 young parishioners, including six who recently completed their training. An additional four youngsters are already registered for altar server training this summer and Rose expects that number to grow.