Since moving into our new Church building, Father Barney has prepared about thirty girls and boys to assist at Mass. Two or three training sessions are held in the autumn for those who have recently made their first Holy Communion. After about a year when the Altar Servers feel confident enough to act as Server, Acolyte or book Bearer, they are enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen in recognition of the importance of an Altar Server's liturgical role in the Church. This is a wonderful privilege and Servers should try and assist the priest at Mass whenever they are asked to do so.

Unfortunately families have so many demands on them at weekends that Altar Servers are not always able to fulfil their ministry regularly. This makes it difficult for them to appreciate the importance of their role and develop a more prayerful dignity and reverence in the Sanctuary. However we are very pleased that, in spite of other commitments, several Altar Servers are continuing their ministry long after they have moved on to secondary school and we hope and pray that they will eventually accept the role of Master of Ceremonies (M.C.) and help with the training of our younger Servers for many years to come.