PREPARING A PLACE FOR WORSHIP

SR. MARY GABRIEL, O.P.

PREPARING A PLACE FOR WORSHIP

JUNIOR SACRISTANS FAITHFULLY SERVE OUR “GREAT HIGH PRIEST” BY SETTING UP FOR MASS

At Resurrection School, helping students to develop a relationship with God and grow in faith and love is a priority. The young women in middle school can pursue this goal in a unique way by volunteering to serve as Junior Sacristans.

The Junior Sacristan program was begun in the Fall of 2017 with the aim of allowing young women to enter more deeply into the liturgy. It encompasses learning about the Mass and items used in the liturgy, becoming more aware of the Church's liturgical calendar, making a commitment to grow in one's prayer life, actively assisting in setting up for school Masses, and celebrating together on special feast days.

That first year saw eight young women volunteer, but the number has grown steadily, and currently eighteen serve as Junior Sacristans. It has become an opportunity that many of 5th graders look forward to as they anticipate entering middle school. When asked what her thoughts were as a 5th grader, one middle schooler reminisced, “I was excited to be a Junior Sacristan because it helps you grow closer to Jesus, because it is like helping Him.” Through their dedicated work, these young women are beginning to discover the One they truly serve, Jesus, our “great High Priest” (Heb 4:14).

Teachers and other adults have noticed the positive influence the program has had on its participants and the zeal with which the young women serve both the Lord and others. As one 8th grader noted, “I think Junior Sacristans is a good opportunity to serve God in a practical way. It also teaches us to work together and help each other when we need it.” Generosity and a spirit of service are commonplace, as there are always volunteers eager to take on additional duties or substitute for a fellow Junior Sacristan who happens to be absent that day. The value of being a Junior Sacristan is

also seen by the young women themselves, as evidenced by the statement of another 8th grader: “I only just started doing Junior Sacristans this year and already I know that I am going to love doing it! It is a great opportunity to learn teamwork, responsibility, and being able to learn more about the Church! Also, it’s not like we only set up for Mass (which is great by itself)—we also do lots of fun things with each other. Junior Sacristan is so much fun and I am so glad I did it this year.”

"I was excited to be a Junior Sacristan because it helps you grow closer to Jesus, because it is like helping Him."