Care of Altar Linen

FACING UP TO THE CHALLENGE The Objects of the Guild are clearly focused on the work of the altar server in the sanctuary, the altar server's spiritual and eucharistic discipline. As a Catholic Society in the Church of England, though, the Guild has a place in the development of Christian and Catholic reunion. With the challenges the Christian Church faces of secularisation of society, religious pluralism and in particular the economic pressures reducing the ability of churches to pay for full time ministry and buildings, these are encouraging us (or is it divine encouragement?) more than ever to re-unite and share resources. As a Catholic society surely we should meet and join in celebrations with servers in the Roman Church and the Orthodox churches and forge between us understanding and links to work for Catholic reunion and so make the Church here more effective in its witness, mission and ministry? Could that also be an additional object of the Guild?

REPLIES

15/2/04 - Ben Heffer

I hadn't looked at the forum pages on the website for some time until today. And was disappointed that the one item about the challenges facing the GSS today and about moving forward had received no replies. Items about what cassock to wear and how to get candlewax out of linen, however, appears to have generated much excitement.

Don't get me wrong, we should be concerned with the practical issues of serving at a local level and sharing ideas and information is what the GSS is all about. However, as a guild nationally, we have got to be prepared to face the challenges ahead and explore ways in which we can serve the Church of England. Not only should establish dialogue with Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians, but moreover, we should be establishing a relationship with those many altar servers in the Church of England who do not benefit from membership of a national Guild. To provide this service to the wider church (not just the catholic enclave), we need to change. Any ideas?

Ben Heffer St Birinus, Oxford.

21/2/04 - Eddie Bestwick

Thanks to Ben for his contribution. The Roman Catholic newspaper , The Universe, this week has a report and photograph of 'Altar servers from around the country packed into Westminster Cathedral on St Valentine's Day for the Annual Mass of the altar servers guild, The Archconfraternity of St Stephen..1400 servers attended. The report indicated that 2005 would be the Archconfraternity's centenary and nationwide celebrations are being planned including a pilgrimage to Walsingham.' What an opportunity for all servers of Catholic tradition to join in celebration - with the Servers Guild and the Archconfraternity arranging a joint celebration! Furthermore, there are reports of the great shortage of priests in the UK and USA in the Roman Catholic Church with many parishes (about 10% in USA not having a resident priest) having to have Communion Services (by lay people from the Reserved Sacrament) in place of Mass on Sundays. That is being talked about locally in the East Midlands where I live amongst the RC Diocese as going to happen! When I was a youngster, at St Dunstan Edge Hill Liverpool, that church, a working class parish, (Prayer Book Catholic tradition and not the 'highest' by any means) had three servers training for the priesthood at the same time, with others already priested. Ordinands came from the ranks of the servers! As both the RC's and our own church are faced with massive shortage of priests, we cannot afford to replace a Team Vicar, should we not unite rather than try and duplicate scarce resources? Who better to help this along but altar servers?
Eddie Bestwick

19/4/04 David Froud

The idea of a united festival or even allowing us to participate in their Centenary festival would be a great opportunity. We all approach the altar of God and have much that is of common heritage.

About 6 years ago, I participated in an RSCM London festival that was held in Westminster Cathedral where Cardinal Hume and the Bishop of London (Graham Leonard) both presided.

The choirs and choristers were made very welcome and had the use of the crypt for changing, etc. I hope we may be able to look into this joint venture.

David Froud PG10