The altar servers in St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, came together for fellowship, pizza and basketball at their annual appreciation party. The gathering, hosted by the coordinators Deacon Romeo Modelo and Lisa Mariani, drew more than 20 youth, including the servers who represent students from the parochial school and surrounding public schools. Many servers meet through their ministry and have the opportunity to bond through the party, which in turn strengthens their communication and friendships when serving Mass.
This year was special, as the servers welcomed our new parish administrator, Father Daniel Kirk.
Father Kirk, an altar server from grade school through seminary formation, joined the servers in a game of basketball knock out.
“Getting to know the other Altar servers and playing basketball with Father Dan and the other servers” was the best part of the day, according to Madison and Michael Gozdan.
The altar server ministry at St. Charles is growing, with 50 active weekend servers and opportunities for servers to advance in their ministry and become leaders in the celebrations of mass and feasts. In addition, the ministry is now partnering with the parish’s Martha’s Ministry, and the servers will learn to care for and launder the albs. The servers have responded positively to this new component of their ministry.
Nicole Howe likes “being responsible” and says it “feels good to help out and make sure the albs are clean and look nice.”
The altar server ministry coordinators and Father Kirk look forward to incorporating more social events throughout the year and to encouraging the servers to take advantage of opportunities to be more involved in the Church as they mature. Father Kirk is committed to the ministry and values promoting and recognizing the involvement of the youth.
He noted that “once a young man or woman has had the chance to be active in their faith and their parish, it opens them up to being of service to the wider Church.”
He added that “anytime we can celebrate what our young people do for the parish is an opportunity to rejoice.”