Strengthening the Bond Among Altar Servers
by Lei Abaudo
We have seen them march along the aisle of the church in their immaculately white albs. We have witnessed them conscientiously helping our priests during the celebration of our Mass. and in other religious activities of the arish. They are the boys and young men of CTK Altar Servers Ministry.
Ever wondered how altar servers get to “work” in silence in an orderly and coordinated manner? One’s immediate answer would be it’s because they’ve been trained. Indeed, these boys have undergone basic training as a requirement for their installation as altar servers. But what is also helps diem in doing so is the growing bond and camaraderie among themselves.
In their team building held last August 25 at the CTK Parish HAI, Fr. Steve Zabala stressed the importance of good rapport among the twenty-two altar servers present. He compared their service to sports, saying, “Like a basketball team, you will serve well in the Mass if you have a good relationship and good rapport with each other. Team building is therefore important.”
The whole-day team-building activity was facilitated by a group of enthusiastic seminarians from the University of Santo Tomas led by Bro. Marti Espenido.
The objectives of the day’s activity were for the boys to get to know each other and learn to look after each other’s needs. Through a mix of fan games and mini-sharing„ they learned more about each other, their motivations for their service, and more importantly, how to work closer as a team.
Lunchtime became their practicum as the boys ate in silence and were served their share of the meal by those around the table. They focused on their peers and practiced caring for their brothers. It was an ultimate test for them on how well they are aware of what each member of die group needed.
Brother Marti said, “The team building teach. altar servers to look after each other so that their service will be well organized with everyone serving God as brothers.” Brother Marti also explained that by serving well as a team, they can show to other boys the joy of serving the Lord as altar servers.
To cap die day, the altar servers proceeded to the main church to practice working as a team by preparing for the High Mass that was officiated that afternoon, The altar servers will continue to meet monthly until December 2019 to bond and polish their work as servers of the church.
