I know that participation in the Eucharist other than at times of duty is something that we strive toward, but this is extremely difficult in my church, in that, chances are that whenever I am present at the Eucharist, I will be on duty.

Sundays are difficult, as there are usually two servers; one of whom has difficulty arriving any earlier than ten minutes before Mass begins (and who acts as Crucifer, and assists at the Offertory Rite), and the other being myself. The Head Server is present about one Sunday in four due to work commitments, which means that I am left to do most things.

Now I know that I am the Sacristan, and I am happy to arrive early and open up, and see to the necessary preparations. I am happy to pop into church during the week and do the necessary bits and bobs that need doing, and the washing, ironing, any painting/cleaning that needs to be done, as well as preparing for feasts and seasons.

I agreed to all of this when I accepted the role, and I enjoy it.

However, it would be good to be able to go to Mass from time to time, and just 'go to Mass'. I would happily prepare as usual, and clear up afterwards as usual, but between the two, would like to just sit with the rest of the Faithful, without having to worry about the multiplicity of duties I would have to undertake.

It is so difficult having to tend to charcoal, and double up as MC and do the job of acolytes and worship at the same time. Sunday Mass often seems like a chore to be got through, and that is a feeling that I detest.

I enjoy quiet weekday Masses, but always end up serving at those when I am there as well.

One of the main problems is that all (3) of our servers are male, and so the impression goes across that this must be the case, despite explicit statements to the contrary. I think also, people have a misguided concept that altar servers must be of a particular age, hence the hideous term 'altar-boy'.

Does anybody else have similar experiences? What do you do to find release, and to make Mass the experience that it ought to be?

All suggestions appreciated. 

REPLIES

31/3/03 from B. Walton

I also have a difficulty in attending a mass when I am not on duty. It should be made clear that it is part of their duty to clear up afterwards.
 
B.Walton 

31/3/03 from Richard Hawker

I was also in a position until recently where it was necessary for me to be in the sanctuary every Sunday, which I did not mind in the slightest, but I also found it difficult to concentrate on the interior side of worship until I discovered the words "let go and let God", which made things a lot easier. Worship is a difficult thing to define, each of us worships in a different way in our hearts, so I could not possibly tell someone how or how not to worship, as with everyone else, I can only teach the faith of the church, and each person responds differently to this, but you could try making a spiritual offering of your actions and duties at the Altar; There is a story told of the great Spanish mystic and reformer of the Carmelite order, St. Theresa of Avila, who one day was in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and found herself becoming increasingly irritated by one of her sisters who had a terrible cough, which kept interrupting her prayers, and so she decided that instead of battling against this cough she would "offer up the cough" as her prayer- prayer does not have to be words, it can be feelings, or anything else. hope this helps, 

Richard Hawker 

31/3/03 from Colin Limming

Your correspondent on 'Solitude in the Sanctuary' is suffering from the same situation as many of our members. Too few servers; too few volunteers; too many 'I'll come to church when it's convenient'; too many 'I would like to help but we have to go and see Auntie Nellie on Sundays'. 

I think I wrote about it in one of my less 'funny' articles in THE SERVER some issues ago. I reckoned that on our church electoral roll about 40% of the names ever do any tangible work and the others belong to the group above.

Appeals in the church magazine are usually a waste of time. A really shocking cure is to announce 'that's it, unless I get some help I'm packing up'. That may not be in some people's nature but it does sometimes work wonders. When the Mass doesn't proceed because nothing is ready some people might appreciate your efforts. In our church some years ago a churchwarden (!) queried 'why do we need servers?' and very soon found out when she was told by the 'brethren' exactly what we did. Shock tactics and not very Christian but it worked.

Other than that, a recruiting campaign but it's often asking the same few who do many of the jobs anyway.

Sorry not to be more helpful. 

Colin Limming 
Chapter of St. Etheldreda, Cambridge