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The Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary is a Guild of Altar Servers which
seeks to deepen the spiritual life of its members and to help them to
become more worthy of their high office. |
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It is entirely a society of lay people but welcomes Bishops, Priests and
Deacons as Associate Members. |
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Altar Servers from many parishes meet at their Chapter and Festivals for
Worship and Fellowship, often providing support for servers who may be the
solitary server at their church. |
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There are Chapters throughout England, Wales and overseas. |
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1. To raise the spiritual tone of Altar Servers |
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2. To promote a conscientious performance of the duties of Altar Servers |
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3. To encourage more frequent attendance at the Holy Eucharist in addition
to times of duty |
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For the better carrying out of the
objectives of the Guild, members should |
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(a) Make confession to a Priest as conscience may require |
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(b) Communicate with the special intention |
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(c) Make
objectives of the Guild a matter of special self-examination at night on
serving day |
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(d) Attend, if possible, an additional celebration of the Holy Eucharist
each week, in addition to times of duty and obligation |
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(e) Be ready to help fellow servers, whensoever, wheresoever and howsoever
opportunity may occur |
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(f) Endeavour to take part in the Annual Festival and, as far as possible,
to attend meetings of the local Chapter |
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1.
Any server who unreservedly accepts Traditional Catholic Faith and Practice, and is
engaged about the Altar in any permanent capacity . |
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2.
Candidates serve a probation of one year before being admitted to full
membership. In the meantime they are presented with a manual and are
expected to attend Chapter meetings regularly, where such exist |
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3.
Bishops, Priests and Deacons may be elected Associates on being proposed
and seconded by members of the Guild and their names being submitted to
the Council, by whom they are elected. Associates pay the same
subscription as members, but have no voting powers. Members ceasing active
duty may retain their connection with the Guild as Associates |
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4.
Life Membership is open to Full Members upon payment of £50 in a single
remittance. |
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1.
To say the Guild Collect on all Sundays and Red Letter Days. |
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2.
To say the appointed Offices before and after serving, except at Churches
where another Office is in use. |
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3.
Guild medals remain the property of the Guild and in all cases must be
returned when anyone ceases to be as member or associate. |
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1.
Print out the Application Form Word
document application formor write to the Secretary General or
Contact your Local Chapter Secretary |
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2.
Fill the form in and sign it - take it to your Parish Priest or
Priest-in-Charge of Servers and ask him to sign it. |
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3.
Forward the form to the Secretary General direct or through your Local
Chapter Secretary together with a stamped addressed envelope and initial
entrance fee of £7. |
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4.
If your application, on being submitted to the Council, is approved a
manual will be sent to you. On the expiry of the term of probation, a
claim must be submitted by the Chapter Secretary for full admission. |
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5.
Members pay an annual subscription of £5. |
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6.
In districts where Chapters are already formed, the above application
process and payment should be effected through the Chapter Secretary and
Treasurer. MEMBERSHIP IS NORMALLY THROUGH JOINING A LOCAL CHAPTER. |
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7.
The Council reserves to itself the power of removing from the roll,
without reason given, the name of any member whose conduct is, in its
opinion, inconsistent with the objects of the Guild. |
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(a)
A member permanently ceasing active duty shall be enrolled an Associate,
if he so desire, paying the same subscription, and shall be entitled to
retain the use of the Guild Medal |
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(b)
Any Member who shall be ordained Deacon during his membership may, at the
discretion of the General Council or any District Council, if he so
desire, become an Associate |
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1.
Where there are 12 members in any district, representing more than one
Church, they may apply to the Council for permission to form a Chapter.
Such application should be sent to the Secretary General, who will then
call a preliminary meeting at which the following resolutions must be
passed: |
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(a)
To ask the Council for leave to form a Chapter |
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(b)
To elect a Secretary |
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(c)
To elect a Treasurer |
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(d)
To select a title by which the Chapter is to be known |
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On
the Council's confirmation of these resolutions a Charter of Institution
will be issued |
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2.
The Chaplain of the local Chapter will be appointed by the Council, but
the members may express their wishes to the Council by a nomination if
they so desire. |
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1.
A local Chapter should meet at least 4 times a year to say or sing the
Office, to discuss the affairs of the Guild, and to admit Candidates |
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2.
An active Chapter will meet once a month, with perhaps the exception of
the holiday months, visiting each Church from which the members are drawn,
as far as possible in rotation |
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3. It will organise Retreats, Festivals etc. and it is much to be desired that every member will undertake some other work for the Church to show that their work does not end in ceremonial but is the inspiration of social enthusiasm and missionary zeal. |
The
Guild supports a Candidates for Ordination Fund, whereby it seeks to help
members in their training for Holy Orders. Chapters may use their
corporate energy to further this cause. Small regular contributions are
the best means by which this Fund is supported. A member is often
appointed as COF Collector. |
The
Guild publishes a quarterly magazine (free with subscription). See
Publications |