New altar server initiated into service

The St Joseph RC, Scarborough altar servers joyfully welcomed their newest member, Aleena Balfour on Saturday, July 13. She was officially commissioned during the Mass celebrations. In a touching ceremony, all the altar servers renewed their vows, reaffirming their commitment to serve God and assist the priest during the Eucharist.

The pandemic and subsequent leadership changes presented significant challenges for the altar server ministry. However, the head altar server, Caitlyn Ross, successfully navigated these obstacles by developing a comprehensive recruitment and training programme for new servers.

Under the guidance of Fr Mathias Mulumba, the servers are not only learning their duties but also deepening their understanding of Catholicism. Ross emphasised the importance of re-integrating the ministry with the broader church community, fostering stronger connections and active engagement. During training, it became clear that 64 per cent of parish servers are children or young adults. To better engage this demographic, training sessions were made more interactive and engaging, with playful activities and a relaxed atmosphere. However, these adjustments are still in the early stages as the leadership stressed the importance of balancing the new training atmosphere by upholding existing rules and regulations to maintain order. —Gabrielia Sooklal