Altar servers from across the Archdiocese enjoyed a day of games, training and prayer at The Gillis Centre at the weekend.
Thanks to Fr Martin Eckersley of St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk for leading the day and to the priests and parents who came along to help make it a joyous event!
The annual Altar Servers' Day is on Saturday 16 September 2023 at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Registration is from 10:30am and the day concludes with Mass at 3:00pm.
It includes games, activities, faith formation, and the awarding of certificates/medals to new members of the Guild of St Cuthbert.
Contact your parish priest for registration details.
10.30am: Arrival and Registration
10.45am: Welcome; Housekeeping (Fire, First Aid, Timetable)
10.50am: Warm-up Game
11.00am: Talk 1
11.30am: Break – Juice.
11.45am: Group Game (Juniors); Discussion (Seniors)
12.00pm: Talk 2
12.30pm Lunch – Juice.
1.15pm: Warm-up Game
1.25pm: Talk 3: Guild of St Cuthbert
Vote of Thanks (Archbishop)
1.50pm: Preparation for Mass
2.00pm: Mass with Enrolment in Guild of St Cuthbert
3.00pm: Departure – Ice lollies.
Altar servers made history by becoming the first members of the Guild of St Cuthbert in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.
Nearly 150 attended the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, in brilliant sunshine last Saturday. They enjoyed training, testimonials and games before attending Mass together in St Margaret’s Chapel.
Named after a local saint, the guild encourages and rewards faithful altar servers throughout the Archdiocese.
It was a blessing to see so many young people attend our Altar Servers Day on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/fG5J8brOBi
— Archbishop Leo Cushley (@leocushley) September 23, 2019
To qualify for membership, each altar server had to serve at ten Sunday Masses, attend a training session and write a short essay. Just over 100 of them were awarded a medal featuring the St Cuthbert’s Cross.
Archbishop Leo Cushley said: “It was a real blessing to see so many young people happy to serve the Lord and being an example to their peers and their parents.
“This was a great day, full of fun.”
Father Daniel Doherty, Vicar Episcopal for Catechism, said: “There were servers from the four corners of the Archdiocese. It’s so uplifting and encouraging to see such a great turnout.”
See more pics on our Facebook.
Altar boys and girls can look forward to games and activities at a free annual training event this month.
Servers from across the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh are being invited to the Altar Servers’ Day at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh.
Fr Daniel Doherty, who is organising the event, said: “Altar servers play an important role in parishes and are valued by priests and church communities for their role at Mass.
“This is a chance for the Archdiocese to say thanks while giving them some extra training in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.”
Servers should bring a packed lunch, comfortable clothes and the robes they normally wear at Mass. Parishes are responsible for completing parental consent forms, available from parish priests.
The day will conclude with Mass, during which Archbishop Leo Cushley will present medals for those participating in the Guild of St Cuthbert.
To sign up, search ‘Altar Servers Day’ at evenbrite.co.uk or call 0131 623 8900.
Day for Altar Servers, Saturday 21st September, 10:30am-3pm, Gillis Centre, 10 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.