New altar servers
On Sunday 6th September 2015, four new altar servers were inducted into the Guild of St. Stephen and invested with their guild medals which they are now entitled to wear on each occasion that they serve on the altar. We were delighted that Father Anthony was able to officiate at the ceremony (more pictures can be accessed here) on what was his penultimate Sunday Mass as our parish priest. The new servers show every indication of maintaining the high standards set by their mentor, Wilf Doyle.
On Sunday 6th September 2015, four new altar servers were inducted into the Guild of St. Stephen and invested with their guild medals which they are now entitled to wear on each occasion that they serve on the altar. We were delighted that Father Anthony was able to officiate at the ceremony (more pictures can be accessed here) on what was his penultimate Sunday Mass as our parish priest. The new servers show every indication of maintaining the high standards set by their mentor, Wilf Doyle.
THE GUILD OF SAINT STEPHEN FOR ALTAR SERVERS
Visitors to our church often comment on the high standards maintained by our altar servers. This is unquestionably down to the training given and the example set by Wilf Doyle. All servers work towards achieving membership of the Guild of Saint Stephen and proudly wear the guild medal while they are serving at Mass.
The letters XP are the first two letters of the name Christ in Greek. At the top of the medal is the crown of victory given by God to everyone who overcomes evil, especially those who die for him. At the bottom are the palm branches, the traditional signs of martyrs who died for Christ. The Latin words are the Guild motto, "Cui servire regnare est" - "To serve is to reign". The guild members declare that to serve on the altar is to serve Christ Himself. And the reward for all good and faithful servants is a share in His kingdom.
There is a bronze medal awarded when a server is accepted into the guild; a silver medal can be given for ten or twelve years' faithful service, while a gold medal can be granted after fifty years' membership of the guild.
Visitors to our church often comment on the high standards maintained by our altar servers. This is unquestionably down to the training given and the example set by Wilf Doyle. All servers work towards achieving membership of the Guild of Saint Stephen and proudly wear the guild medal while they are serving at Mass.
The letters XP are the first two letters of the name Christ in Greek. At the top of the medal is the crown of victory given by God to everyone who overcomes evil, especially those who die for him. At the bottom are the palm branches, the traditional signs of martyrs who died for Christ. The Latin words are the Guild motto, "Cui servire regnare est" - "To serve is to reign". The guild members declare that to serve on the altar is to serve Christ Himself. And the reward for all good and faithful servants is a share in His kingdom.
There is a bronze medal awarded when a server is accepted into the guild; a silver medal can be given for ten or twelve years' faithful service, while a gold medal can be granted after fifty years' membership of the guild.
We have nine altar servers: Emma, Lucy, Grace, Stephen, Matthew, Isaac, Anya, Hope and Gareth. They are all trained by Wilf Doyle (photo), proud Yorkshireman and Sheffield United supporter, who celebrated seventy-seven years as an altar server on Christmas Day 2017.
The servers are trained for six months before they are received into the Guild of Saint Stephen. They promise to serve regularly, diligently and with greater understanding. The Guild exists to reach the highest standards of serving of the Liturgy and to contribute to the community's participation in a more reverent worship of God.
Also, as most priests were once altar servers, this should help to encourage vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.
The servers are trained for six months before they are received into the Guild of Saint Stephen. They promise to serve regularly, diligently and with greater understanding. The Guild exists to reach the highest standards of serving of the Liturgy and to contribute to the community's participation in a more reverent worship of God.
Also, as most priests were once altar servers, this should help to encourage vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.
