Role of altar servers has diminished, say survey respondents

Published: 2003-12-17

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general of the Indianapolis Archdiocese and pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis, describes altar serving as a lost art and an underused tool in promoting vocations. "I think there's been neglect of the ministry of server," the priest said. "In other words, the attitude is kind of like, well, we don't really need them." Msgr. Schaedel was one of more than 100 respondents to an informal survey on altar servers sent this year to 150 parishes in the archdiocese by the archdiocesan newspaper, The Criterion. He noted that the role of altar servers has possibly been minimalized because many of their duties have been made optional. He also thinks servers need to be well-trained or the parish is missing something. "I think kids appreciate being taught how to do something correctly," he said. "I think they appreciate doing it and feeling good about it."

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