Upwards of 130 altar servers from around the Paterson Diocese gathered on Sept. 20 at Evangelization Center at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., for the annual Altar Servers Day, which ended with a Mass and Eucharistic procession led by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
About 230 people, including parents, parish priests, and altar server coordinators, participated in Altar Server Day. Participating youth were encouraged to deepen their appreciation of the Eucharist and their role at Mass, and helped to start thinking about their vocation, all within a day that combined faith, food, and fun.
The Paterson Diocesan Office of Vocations led the coordination of Altar Servers Day with the support of the Paterson Federation Knights of Columbus and the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry. The event began with an opening prayer and a 30-minute video, titled “The Real Presence,” which explored the Eucharist.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sister April Hoffman of the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco in North Haledon, N.J., spoke to the girls about making time to pray, spending time in silence, and listening to God, asking Him about His plan for their lives. Father Stephen Delia Jr., parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Denville, N.J., spoke to the boys about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and how faith helps believers know that Jesus is present in the Eucharist. The talks were followed by question-and-answer periods.
The Paterson Federation of the Knights of Columbus provided lunch for Altar Servers Day. The lunch was followed by sports and games on the palatial grounds of St. Paul’s. Then, participants watched a video about altar servers.
The Altar Servers Day closed with a Mass by Bishop Sweeney and concelebrating priests, including Father Charles Lana Jr., diocesan vocations director, and Father Kamil (Peter) Wierzbicki, pastor of St. Jude Parish in Hopatcong, N.J. A Eucharistic procession followed the Mass.
