Altar Servers Belief and Practice, Original Broadcast Date: October 22, 2004 (Show #808):

Since the second and third centuries, Catholic Church writings have addressed the importance of "altar servers" -- assistants to the priest during the liturgy celebration. While this role has been traditionally filled by young boys as an incentive to encourage their interest in pursuing a priestly vocation, the Vatican began allowing young girls the same opportunity in the 1980s. Today, many dioceses across the country invite boys and girls to take part in altar server training at the end of fifth grade. In this personal account, young girls and boys from St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Chicago describe what the experience and participation as an altar server means to them. "When I'm up there," Amanda Bradley explains, "I fell special in a way like I am helping the Lord and the lord is going to protect me." And Ryan Shea observes, "It's kind of like I'm giving back to the community for all . . . it's given me."

Featured (in alphabetical order):

Amanda Bradley, Altar Server, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church
Tom Bradley, Amanda's Father
Kathryn Fuentes, Altar Server, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church
Father Greg Sakowicz, Pastor, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church
Patty Schutz, Altar Server, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church
Ryan Shea, Altar Server, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church
Tina Shea, Ryan's Mother