ALTAR SERVERS AT ST. MATTHEW

Altar Servers play an important role in the Mass, acting as assistants to the priests and role models to their peers. As an Altar Server, you will feel great satisfaction being part of the Mass and will help you to grow spiritually. Many priestly and religious vocations have come from the ranks of Altar Servers.

Altar Servers earn community service hours for every Mass they serve and there are always additional opportunities to serve. The minimum time commitment is one Mass/month. The program is open to boys and girls ages 10 and older and all servers are trained in person. In addition, our servers may also refer to our Altar Server Training Video for reference. We ask that you consider becoming a part of this important program at St. Matthew Church, complete the online form below.

Who can be an altar server at St. Matthew's? 

• A young person 10 years of age or older.
• who has the desire to perform this ministry on a regular basis.
• who will be trained
• who will comply with the rules governing Altar Servers in the parish.

John and Porzia DiGiorgio, Altar Server Coordinators
[email protected]

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING

To view the Altar Server Schedule, please download the Ministry Scheduler Pro app from itunes or Google Playstore. You will receive your login ID and password after your child is trained. Please contact Porzia and John DiGiorgio by email ([email protected]) with any issues or questions.

ALTAR SERVER REMINDER

You must arrive at church 15 minutes before you serve (this includes Sunday masses, weddings, holy days, Communions, Confirmations, etc.) this will also give you time to pick a cassock that fits you properly. You must hang up the cassock in the same spot you took it from after you serve.

DRESS CODE: NO SNEAKERS! Also, no open back shoes or sandals. Hair must be combed and anyone with long hair must have it tied back. Your hands and fingernails must also be clean.

BEFORE MASS STARTS PLEASE CHECK AND DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Candles on the altar are to be lit
2. Cruets should be full
3. Priest’s chalice is out
4. Finger bowl and towel are out
5. Book is on the seat next to the priest
6. Decide who will carry the cross. If you are carrying the cross, walk slowly.
7. Decide who will carry the candles
8. Decide who will carry the Book of Intentions
9. Decide who will stay on the altar at offertory to prepare altar with the chalice and the book (only if there is a Deacon present)
10. Decide who will offer the wine, water and finger bowl. Place towel on left arm when holding finger bowl
11. You must bow your head slightly when the priest gives you back the cruets and also when you are finished with the finger bowl
12. It is only necessary for 2 servers to be on the altar doing the wine and the water; the others should go down to the side where the bells are
13. Decide who will ring the bells
14. Pass behind the priest when passing him on the altar. Always bow your head every time you pass the Tabernacle
15. The communion plate is only to be used when Communion is given out at the railing.
16. When the Tabernacle doors are still open after Communion, you should stand by your seat until the doors are closed (even if the priest sits).
17. Bow your head when the Tabernacle is being closed
18. Keep your hands joined when walking and standing. They should be held up by your chest. Also, one hand should be by your heart when presenting the cruets and using the communion plate.

REMEMBER: There should be no unnecessary talking or joking during mass. Try not to yawn and play with your fingers while sitting on the altar. The parishioners are watching you! Pay close attention to prayers, readings, and the priest’s sermon.

Assists in the distribution of the Eucharist at Masses and to the sick and homebound. Pre-placement interview and training session required for all that are new to this ministry. One must be at least 21 years of age.

Please contact Ray Smolenski for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at 1-631-499-7679.

Being a Lector is a very special Ministry. Lectors proclaim God’s message to His people, our fellow parishioners. During Liturgy on Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation and other special occasions. We also read the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) and Parish announcements. It is exciting to be a part of the Mass celebration.

Lectors' schedules require approximately three Masses in a ten-week period. Consideration is given to personal commitment and Mass preference. Instruction and practice is provided prior to your first reading. Young parishioners ages 13 and up are invited to join this ministry. They serve at the 9:30 Mass on Sunday and generally are required to serve two masses in a ten-week period.

Please call the office for further information at 631-667-3947.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye, all ye lands!

Serve the Lord, the Lord with gladness,

Come before His presence with singing!”
Psalm 100

Music plays an integral part at all of our Liturgies here at Saint Matthew’s. Each of our Masses has its own style or practices. There is something for everyone!

Our Saturday 4pm Mass offers congregational singing under the leadership of our cantor. This Mass is celebrated with hymns and Mass parts all accompanied by the organ.

Our 9:30am Mass has the presence of our Children’s Choir. We are always looking for new members! Please contact our Music Director, Lee Forsythe, for more information at (631) 334-7138 or [email protected].

Our 11am Mass is our English “High Mass.” The term “High Mass” refers to a style of ritual that is more traditional. The priest uses incense at several times in the Liturgy, as
well as chants many of the prayers. We have the blessing of a highly accomplished group of vocalists, referred to as the “schola” who do all of the singing. The style of music at this Mass often includes a “motet” at the Offertory or Communion, as well as the proper Entrance and Communion Antiphons.

The 12:30pm Mass offers congregational singing except on the first and third Sundays of the month. On those days, the Mass is celebrated according to the Traditional Latin
Roman Rite (sometimes referred to as the “Tridentine or “Extraordinary Form”). The language of the Liturgy is Latin with the homily in English. This Mass, too, is offered
with incense and chanting. The Schola also provides the singing at this Mass. At both our 11am Mass and 12:30pm Mass the congregation is encouraged to join in the singing.

If you would like more information or have any questions please feel free to contact Lee Forsythe, our Music Director: (631) 334-7138 or [email protected].

“...Enter into His Gates with thanksgiving.
And into His courts with praise
Be thankful unto Him.
And bless, bless His holy name.”
Psalm 100

Contact the Parish Office if you are thinking of being an usher.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS / INFORMATION

• Each Mass has a head usher
• Ushers are needed at ALL Masses
• You can choose the Mass you wish to usher
• Ages 15 years old to Seniors
• We provide the jackets for ALL the ushers to wear at the Masses so everyone knows that you are an usher, and they can ask you for assistance.

THE DUTIES OF THE USHERS:

• We take collections
• We greet parishioners
• We help at Communion and for parishioners who are unable to go to communion we get the priest or deacons to come to them
• We escort parishioners to their seat
• We help if a person gets sick during the Mass
• We hand out the weekly bulletins