BIS # 3872 WELCOMING NEW ALTAR SERVERS INTO THE FOLD

by Oswald Aranha

KUWAIT, JANUARY 23, 2014: The 16th of January was a special day in the history of the Altar Servers Ministry at the St. Therese Church of the North Arabian Vicariate – fifty-six young boys took the Altar Servers pledge that initiated them into this prestigious Ministry. At this Induction ceremony forty-nine altar servers also renewed their promise. The service was well attended by over 100 altar servers all dressed in their red and white robes, along with their parents.
After a brief introduction, Fr. Blany Pinto, Parish Priest and shepherd of this Ministry welcomed them all to the special Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, he thanked the parents for encouraging their children to serve at the altar. He invited the children to continue serving the Lord for the rest of their lives. He exhorted them to discern God's call and follow His will.
After the homily, the altar servers read their commitment prayers and renewal promise and received a special blessing from Fr. Blany.
The Offertory was presented by an ex Altar server Louie Pereira and his two brothers Moses and Oscar. Louie Pereira has complied a book on the altar servers which has been very useful in training the freshers.
After a vote of thanks, certificates were awarded to all the boys who took their pledge and renewed their promise.
The mass was followed by a cake cutting ceremony for the newly inducted boys and a photo session with Fr. Blany and their parents. "This is a special day for me. I have been waiting for a long time to join my friends and wear these special robes for mass" exclaimed Tony Joseph. "I am so excited. I can't wait to serve my first mass!" added Sunil Mendonca. It was a wonderful and a memorable day indeed, not only for the new altar servers but also for the ministry of altar servers.