by Ruth Clara Veigas and Christopher Rosario
KUWAIT, DEC 6, 2017: Fifty boys from St Therese of Child Jesus Church in Kuwait took their pledge as altar servers, while one hundred and twenty-three 
existing altar servers renewed their promise to serve the Lord at his altar on December 4.
Each year after receiving the First Holy Communion, the parish announces registration for new altar servers. This year a total number of 58 boys registered to join the altar servers' ministry. All the boys were trained for eleven consecutive Saturdays by Pascal Fernandes, James Sequeira (Latin rite) and Joshi George, Sandhya James, Tom Jose and Marykutty Stalin (Syro-Malabar rite) with the support of a few senior altar servers.
The boys were taught to serve during holy Mass and were also familiarised with the sacred books, vestments and the vessels used. Ninety per cent attendance and a written examination were mandatory for the training, after which the boys were qualified for induction. All the boys performed exceptionally well at the written test, with Joshua D'Souza scoring full 50 marks. Based on the attendance and marks, 50 boys from the Latin and Syro-Malabar rites, were selected to join the altar servers' ministry.
The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Father Lionel Braganza and attended by the parents and parishioners of St. Therese of Child Jesus Church. At the introduction, Father Braganza expressed his joy to see the large number of altar servers dressed in their robes present for the induction ceremony.
During the homily, Father Braganza thanked the parents for choosing to send their sons for serving at the altar. He also shared his experience as an altar server and his mother's desire to have all her sons become priests. Father Braganza advised the boys that should they have a desire to join the priestly vocation, not to delay; rather take a quick decision and contact a priest for further guidance.
After the homily, 50 new boys took their pledge while the 123 existing altar servers renewed their promise. Before the final blessing, certificates to the new boys and trophies and certificates to the six best altar servers for the year 2016-2017 were distributed. As a gesture of appreciation, 'Helping Hand Certificates' and gifts were also distributed to the senior boys for helping the ministry on various occasions during the year 2016 – 2017.
After Holy Mass, it was time to celebrate! All the boys assembled in the church courtyard and were felicitated by the cutting of cake. All parents and parishioners once again joined to witness the occasion and congratulate the boys. Altar Server Dave Jesus Rodrigues, who was newly inducted said, "I am glad to be an altar server because by serving the priest at the altar, I will stay close to Jesus. I will not forget my pledge and commitment as an altar server."
All the boys and their parents appreciated the efforts of the ministry in organising and making the children feel special. "I have my two sons inducted today and will serve as altar servers. I am very happy with the training sessions conducted by the coordinators. It was a very well planned and organised event," Jayan C Andrews, a parent of a newly inducted altar server, said.