Here is an update on the upcoming altar server class (summarizing Mr. Hunter's notes). The first class will be on Tuesday, Oct 12, at St. Michael's, at 5:15PM sharp. If you are interested or have questions, please send an email to this site (memphisLatin@gmail.com).
Description of class: We will begin by studying the Latin responses at Mass, including correct pronunciation and syllable emphasis at St. Michael's Church, and will then proceed to rubrical training at Blessed Sacrament Church. The class will be on Tuesday evenings, starting October 12, beginning at 5:15PM sharp, with each class to last one hour. The course of study will take approximately six weeks, depending upon how students advance through the schedule. It will conclude with Mr. Hunter's personal assessment of each one’s readiness to begin observing at the altar at Sunday Mass. Course material will be provided.
Qualifications for boys: The youngster must have received his First Holy Communion, and should be at least eight years old (although we have taken them younger, on a case-by-case basis). He must come from a family who attends the Tridentine Mass regularly, but not necessarily at Blessed Sacrament, and is dedicated to it. He must be capable of fairly intense memorization, have an attentive mind, be willing to dedicate his time to the course of instruction, and be completely dedicated to serving Our Lord at His holy altar when scheduled to do so. Those are subjective qualities, to be sure, but each boy will be asked if he meets those qualifications at the first session.
Details on class (including directions to sacristy): The Latin classes will be held in the servers’ sacristy, on the Epistle side, at St. Michael’s. To get to the sacristy, come in the back door of the church. It is at the very back corner of the church, under a covered walkway leading to the school. Come in the door, into the hallway, and turn left. The servers’ sacristy is at the end of the hall. There will be signs pointing the way. Please observe silence in the hallway, as it is directly behind the high altar, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
The classes will begin on Tuesday 12 October, and each week thereafter, at 5:15 PM, sharp. During Latin training, we must begin on time, as Mass begins at 5:30, and we must all be in the sacristy, with the door closed, when Mass begins. We should be finished by 6:15, but not later than 6:30. After Latin training is complete, we will move to Blessed Sacrament, to begin rubrical training. Another announcement will be made then at the proper time.
