Serving Hyde Park’s Catholic Community since 1869


5472 South Kimbark Avenue,
Hyde Park, Chicago IL, 60615-5297
Phone: (773) 324-2626 Fax: (773) 891-0602

Altar Servers

“As for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:15)

Being a server means serving God and his people. That is what makes serving worth doing, and worth doing well. Serving allows us to be close to the Table of the Lord and gain a deeper understanding of the mechanics and the spirituality of the Mass. In Heaven, the Holy Angels perform the task of the Altar Servers.

Who we are: We are “St. Thomas’ Angels”, faithful members of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, called to minister at God’s altar with reverence, dignity and love, creating a prayerful atmosphere during the service and working to help other people to worship and to make their love for God stronger.

What we do: We assist the Presider at weekend, school and special occasion Masses:

  • leading the procession into Mass,
  • assisting the Priest in the altar with the Missal, sacred vessels and other liturgical items,
  • setting and clearing the altar,
  • serving as Cross Bearers and Candle Bearers,
  • and much more.

Time commitment: We arrive at the church 15 minutes before the scheduled Mass time to prepare ourselves and the altar for Mass.

Requirements: Anyone from the 4th grade or older.

The Altar Server ministry is a wonderful way for young people of all ages to serve our Lord and deepen their devotion and appreciation for the beauty of the Mass.

Contact: parish office, (773) 324-2626 or parishoffice@stapostleparish.org

“The altar server has a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. Those who serve at Mass present themselves to a community. They experience from close at hand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgy… Therefore in the liturgy you are far more than mere “helpers of the parish priest”. Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.”
Pope John Paul II, 2001