Acolytes

Donald Niemeyer, Director

Schedule

Acolytes serve at the altar, helping the Celebrant at the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. They also study aspects of the Church's liturgical life.

Acolytes are girls and boys in the parish who are at least 8 years old and want to serve by carrying the processional cross, escorting the gospeller and other such functions during Eucharist.

The goals of the acolyte program include the following:

1. Serve the parish by assisting the Celebrant during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations as requested.

2. Grow in understanding and appreciation of the Church's liturgical life by studying and participating in the liturgy.

3. Grow in fellowship with other acolytes, both at St. John's and elsewhere within the diocese.

4. Begin a lifelong ethic of service to the Church. Acolyte service is a stepping stone to becoming a:

A) Lay reader
B) Chalice bearer
C) First Reader
D) Subdeacon

We work on these goals not only by regularly serving at the 8:00 and 10:30 Sunday liturgies but also through monthly meetings, the Diocesan Acolytes' festival and other parochial and diocesan events as offered. We also have some fun activities, such as pizza parties.

Many who become Acolytes wish to continue on into ordination as a Deacon, or even as a Priest.