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.
The servers are all trained by Wilf Doyle (photo), proud Yorkshireman and Sheffield United supporter, who celebrated seventy-eight years as an altar server on Christmas Day 2018.
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, we pray that this will 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, we pray that this will encourage vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.
Our newest server, Michelle, was enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen on Sunday 3rd November.
