Trinidad and Tobago’s altar servers have been urged to bring their peers to the Lord, to stay together and to help build their parish communities as they fulfil their ministry.

That was the mandate from Archbishop Edward Gilbert, chief celebrant and homilist, to more than 500 altar servers at last Sunday’s 14th Annual Trinidad and Tobago Altar servers’ Council (TTAC) Thanksgiving Mass, held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain.

The lone concelebrant was Seminary Rector and TTAC Spiritual Director Msgr Michael de Verteuil, who proclaimed the Gospel.

Episcopal Delegate for Youth, Sr Kathy Joseph OP, was present and joined the St Francis (Belmont) Music Ministry as it led the singing.

Surrounded by taller and senior servers, a young server participates in last Sunday’s Thanksgiving Mass.

The archbishop expressed his thanks more than once for the service the altar servers, some no more than seven years old, provide to the Church. In his opening remarks, he said the celebration was always “a special day on the calendar of the archdiocese” while he stressed in the homily  how “important your ministry is to the parishes and to the people”.

He thanked the altar servers for the “sacrifices you make and the services you provide”, telling them not to think of their service as “a temporary period in your life when you served the Lord”, but as a ministry.

He said they could see for themselves in their neighbourhoods and parishes how little God meant to some people. “But they believe in what they see - and what they see is you.”

Archbishop Gilbert told the altar servers that in the midst of confused world values, they were examples to others as they continue to answer the call of God to service and to build community. “Live what you celebrate,” he said.

He added, “Your service is a Eucharistic service. Your service is about the Liturgy. It’s about the altar and what happens on the altar. Your posture and piety lift people up or drive people off. As you assist, remember the nature of what happens on the altar – sacrificial love.”

The Archbishop also urged the servers to look out for each other, telling them: “Your life is more complicated than mine was at your age, I’ve never had to face it. You are targetted by evil people, who want to shape your values. Hang together in the Lord. Depend on your family, friends and the Church….”

As he ended the homily, he said many people around the country have told him that they were once servers. In response, he urged altar servers to not let go of their ministry and to help “form your peers into people who serve the Lord”.

The Intercessory prayers were offered by the TTAC Executive. Servers also did the readings, collection and the presentation of gifts.

Before the final blessing, TTAC president Courtney Lezama gave the vote of thanks. He thanked fellow servers for attending the Mass, in particular those from the distant parishes of Erin and Moruga, and those from Tobago for making the trip. He also thanked the parents of the altar servers and said the TTAC hoped to get them more involved in next year’s celebration.

Servers afterwards assembled in the nearby Catholic Centre car park for refreshments, before some left to continue their special ministry.
– RS