Here I Am, Lord: Lesson Notes For Mass Servers

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

Wherever services are required to be rendered during liturgical and para-liturgical functions, there are certain designated ministers who are called to task. To minister means to serve. Thus the ministry of Knights and Ladies of the Altar (KNOLTA) or Mass Servers, or Altar Servers is one where its members assist the

Priest and other officiating ministers in making celebrations worthy to the honour and glory of God.

Before performing their assigned duties, members of KNOLTA are expected to have an appreciable knowledge of the sacred items (sacred vestments, sacred vessels, sacred linens) – their names, when they are used, and how they are used. Apart from these, members are carefully guided and taught to appreciate the teachings of the faith, and trained to become responsible Catholics at al times, and to transfer the discipline of their training to their homes, schools, workplaces, etc.

This revised edition of the book, especially takes into consideration the new Order of Mass which came into effect on the First Sunday of Advent in the year 2011. Most of the revisions concern the Order of Mass.

Other aspects revised include further explanation of some terms for clearer understanding.

As you read this book, it is my hope that you enjoy it and come to cherish the ministry of KNOLTA, and also expand your knowledge of some matters concerning the Catholic Church. God bless you richly.

SERVERS’ PLEDGE

I (Name), Knight/ Lady of the altar, promise solemnly that I will do my best to be a close fol ower of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

I promise to be obedient to His representatives on earth – Our Priests, our Bishops and our Holy Father, the Pope. With the help and intercession of Mary, I will try to promote friendship and co-operation

especial y among my fellow Knights and Ladies.

I also pledge al egiance to my country Ghana, and I wil do whatever I can to promote prosperity and

peace in the country. I will obey and support the lawful authorities in their effort to promote the wel -being of al citizens.

I wil especial y try to help the Priest to make the church service a worthy celebration for the greater honour and glory of God. Amen.

Meaning of KNIGHT / LADY

K: Knowledge, Kindness, Kingly, Knowing.

N: Neatness, Noble.

I: Intelligence, Inventive, Initiative.

G: Goodness, Generous, Gifted, Gentleness.

H: Holiness, Helpfulness, Humility.

T: Truthfulness, Trustworthiness, Tolerance.

L: Lenience, Lovely, Light.

A: Awareness, Alertness, Accommodative.

D: Determination, Desire.

Y: Youthfulness.

GREETING

P: At your service…

R: Lord

MOTTO

P: Fel ow Knights and Ladies… R: Learn and Serve

CHAPTER ONE

THE HOLY MASS

The word ‘Mass’ is derived from the Latin word missio, meaning ‘sending forth’. Thus at the end of each Mass we are sent to extend to al the love of God which we have received. When was the last time you

told someone of the love of God? If you can’t remember, or have not done so before, you must start right away! As a matter of fact your ministry as a Mass Server is not limited to the sanctuary and the sacristy.

You must do well to reach to all.

The Mass is a very important aspect in the lives of Catholics. It is the center of our worship of God. It is the celebration that gives us the strength we need to live a Christian life. Because of its relevance the Church places a serious obligation on al its members to take part in the Mass every Sunday and Holy

day.

This is contained in the first commandment of the Church: "You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on

Holy Days of Obligation and rest from servile labour."

In your call to ministry as a Mass Server, you wil assist at other services, but none is as important as your service at Mass as one of the leaders of the community.

The Mass is the re-enactment of the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Eucharist and told his

followers, ‘Do this in memory of me.’ Although the Mass is a mystery, we accept the fact that bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ because he told us that this is so. Some descriptions

will help us to understand it better.

First and foremost, the Mass is a sacrifice. The idea of sacrifice to God is at the very heart of religion. The Bible tells us how Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, offered sacrifice to God. Abraham, whom the liturgy calls ‘our father in faith’, was prepared to offer to God, his only son, Isaac. The Old Testament Jews

through their Priests, offered sacrifices of lambs and goats to God. Jesus offered his Father a sacrifice: himself. Jesus promised us that ‘when we eat this bread and drink this cup’ he would continue his great sacrifice until he comes again. The sacrifice with reference to the Mass is a non-bloody sacrifice offered on the altar. Christ, who is offered for us is referred to as the Priest and the victim, for Christ is the High Priest, as wel as the Lamb who offered to die for our sins.

The Mass is a memorial. It is an event that helps people to remember. The most important event, the one remembered at every Mass, is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also remember through the

readings other great deeds the Lord has done for his people. In fact, Jesus, at the Last Supper said, ‘…

do this in memory of me’.

The Mass is also a sacred meal called the Eucharist (from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning

‘thanksgiving’). In the Mass we give thanks for al that God has done for us, and we al eat the same food

– ‘the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.’ Jesus has told us that this bread and wine are his body and blood. So in this sacred meal, we Catholics believe that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are continued for al of us through our celebration of this holy meal, begun at the Last Supper. The way in which the Mass is celebrated has developed for about two thousand years. The early Christians cal ed it

‘the breaking of the bread.’ Despite its development, two elements have always been the same: listening to God’s word in Scripture and partaking of the consecrated bread and wine, the Eucharistic meal. Today we refer to these