Altar Servers
-
-
BackForwardPauseCaption
-
-
-
Altar Serving at the Basilica
Altar Serving is a privilege. We are blessed with servers that are both young and learning to serve as well as adults that are more experienced. Since we have experienced servers we are able to assist with Solemnities such as Easter, Christmas, Corpus Christi and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
We have both Servers and Senior Servers. Our Senior Servers help mentor the servers on the Altar so they are able to observe up close and see from the Altar perspective what is expected and what is to be learned.
We also have a group of experienced servers who serve at the Extraordinary Form celebrations, and Fr. Carter periodically offers a training program for new servers who wish to serve for the Extraordinary Form Mass. Normally, trainees must have made their first Holy Communion.
Youth of all ages and experience levels are encouraged (after receiving First Holy Communion). We believe that serving not only is a privilege but a way to be closer to Christ in the sacrifice of the Mass.
-
Training
Training for the Ordinary Form
Altar Server training for the Ordinary Form is held on certain Monday evenings in the church (schedule is subject to change). Contact Deacon Hicks Armor for more information.
Training for the Extraordinary FormFr. Carter has begun offering training sessions to strengthen and grow our altar server program for the Extraordinary Form for boys and men. Future training sessions for new servers will be announced. Training requires study at home (prior to training and during training), attendance in mandatory sessions, and serving at 7am Low Masses as scheduled, to prepare to serve Sunday Mass.
As a prerequisite to the training, potential servers should learn to say the Latin prayers of the Mass. These prayers are listed in the book, How to Serve: In Simple, Solemn and Pontifical Functions. Please obtain a copy of this book, study the introduction and the section about the Low Mass, and work on learning these prayers, even before attending the training sessions.Learn to say the Latin prayers for Mass
(LISTEN and PRACTICE here)
-
Altar Server Advancement
-
Schedule and Other Documents
-
Calendar
-
October 12 - October 22
Don’t miss an opportunity this weekend to support our deacons! Did you know there are currently 25 men in deacon formation? This weekend’s collection helps support a five-year program that prepares men to serve as permanent deacons in the Catholic Church in East Tennessee. Deacons bring the Gospel and the gift of themselves to soup kitchens, food banks, prisons, hospitals – serving in their parish and in the community. Please consider making a gift at Mass or safely and securely make your gift online today by clicking here!Read More
-
-
News
-
Frank Villegas recently returned to the Catholic Church, along with his wife Jerry, a new convert, and he immediately became active in our parish, especially as an altar server. Frank began suffering from debilitating headaches, tinnitus, and memory difficulties in February and is working with a specialist here and awaiting consultation with a doctor in Florida or in Switzerland. Both doctors are backed up because of the pandemic. Please pray for grace and strength to withstand the suffering and the difficult wait for help, in the hope of returning to ministry at the Basilica. Frank would appreciate some direct contact from fellow parishioners as he is really struggling. Please contact him (click for more info) if you would like to offer some spiritual support.Read More -
We are still looking for more technical volunteers to operate the live-stream, as well as ushers/greeters for each weekend Mass. We have a particular need for people to commit to the 11:30 Extraordinary Form Mass. Click for details.Read More -
The Joy of Tradition Award has been established at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to recognize members of our parish community who have demonstrated by their life and participation in our parish the joy that our Catholic faith brings. It is a testimony to their exemplary service to various aspects of our faith, and for their enthusiasm in promoting the sacred traditions in liturgy, ministry, and service to our parish. Fr. Carter has named Cathy Palisoc and Clervin Pérez as the 2021 recipients of the Joy of Tradition Award, presented on our parish anniversary weekend of June 27.Read More
-
-
Safe Environment
All servers ages 18 and up are required to be certified through the Diocesan Safe Environment program in order to serve.
Safe Haven Program Summary for the Diocese of Knoxville - please READ
Safe Haven Volunteer Instructions and Online Training - please COMPLETE
-
St. Tarcisius, Patron of Altar Servers
Read here about St. Tarcisius, Martyr,
Patron Saint of First Communicants and of Altar Servers
"Assisting your priest in service at the altar helps to make Jesus closer so that people can understand, can realize better: He is here." - Pope Benedict XVI
-
-
-
Altar Server Hike to Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain (Sept. 2020)
-
