Knights of the Altar uses team concept for servers

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Although his own children are grown, Jeff Zyzda mentioned he was “nudged by the Holy Spirit” to explore some type of altar server program that Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City could establish.

“I grew up as an altar server at St. Francis, (a Sioux City parish that closed in the late 1990s),” said the member of the parish who is also a candidate for the permanent diaconate. “Like everyone, I enjoyed serving but I didn’t think that much about the impact.”

It was about two years ago when Zyzda began to really ponder about what could be done to give altar servers a little more direction and support in their ministry.

“It’s not that the priests don’t, but the priests don’t have the time,” he said. “It’s impossible for them to find the time and do what’s needed so I felt something needed to happen.”

After the Holy Spirit had solidly planted the idea, one of the first things Zyzda did was reach out to Father Mark Stoll who was parochial vicar of the parish at the time while serving as the chancellor of the diocese. The priest mentioned that for some time he too felt an altar server program of some sort would be an asset not only to the parish but to the altar servers.

Updating program
Through research, Father Stoll discovered that back in the 1960s and continuing into the 1970s, Immaculate Conception had a Knights of the Altar program for altar servers. He also learned that this society was established in 1939 in Minnesota.

The two – Father Stoll and Zyzda – decided rather than reinventing the wheel they would take components of the original Knights of the Altar program and modify it to align with present day liturgical norms. Plus, they could make a few other adjustments to really make it a model that would meet the needs of the parish and the children involved in the altar server ministry. 

“We have several goals of the program, but our first goal is to make the Mass more reverent and beautiful,” said Zyzda.

Headed by Zyzda as the director with assistance by Father Stoll as the priest advisor and consultor, work on the Knights of the Altar began in 2023 and the parish began to implement it in February of 2024. The two were quick to point out that many other parishioners have been involved as well. For instance, they established a parent committee.

Team approach
As the group began to discern what the program would look like and how it would be structured, Zyzda mentioned he came up with the idea to build the server groups around the team concepts. Be it sports teams, musical groups and so on – the team concept is something most of the servers would be familiar with. If set up properly, the organizers felt this structure could be a built-in support system for the younger/newer servers and would help to build enthusiasm.

“The servers belong to a team and they serve with that team whenever they are scheduled,” he explained. “Within the team, they all have a role to play. And if they don’t – in sports the team doesn’t win and in Mass, if we don’t do our roles it looks disjointed.”

Another element they decided to include was having adult coaches that would accompany the altar servers, even directly at Mass. The adult will vest, be part of the procession into the church and be there – somewhat quietly in the background – to direct the altar servers as needed.

“We have 10 coaches that are helping out and taking different Masses, which has been a blessing and a half,” said Zyzda. 

In the past, he noted, the priest would do a training and then it would be months before they were scheduled and they might not know the kids they are scheduled with.

“What we found is that the kids would show up for Mass and they would be scared to death. They don’t know what to do and then the poor priest tries to point to things and the kids automatically go to, ‘he’s upset with me.’ So then, they are not serving anymore,” said Zyzda. “It’s too much stress for them.”

With the coaches at the Masses, the altar servers have real-time training and guidance. Plus, they have a pre-Mass and post-Mass meeting to talk things over – to offer praise and identify what went right and what needs some work.

“Ultimately, we want the priests to be able to focus on the altar and the ambo and not worry about if the book is coming and having to direct what is happening,” said the deacon candidate.

From a priest’s standpoint, Father Stoll said it is so nice to be able to focus on the celebration of the Mass.

Saints in action
With the team concept – whose team names are all saints – they serve with the same kids all of the time and an adult coach is there to direct them during Mass as needed to ensure they are where they need to be at the right time.

Most of the teams are made up of four to five altar servers. Typically, they are of various ages or experiences so that the older or more seasoned servers can also help mentor the newer ones. The server schedule is made out for 12 months at a time and lists the team names assigned to a Mass, rather than listing the individuals.

“If they are serving, they all get something to do,” said Father Stoll, who noted that in the past just two servers were assigned per Mass.

By having enough depth – numbers on the teams – Zyzda mentioned they have pretty much solved the problem of having to search for a server in the pews when someone doesn’t show. 

Plus, having more servers per Mass means they serve more often which helps the youth develop a comfort level.

Between Mater Dei’s two churches, Immaculate Conception and Nativity, they have five weekend Masses. There are presently about 90 altar servers involved in the Knights of the Altar.

Father Stoll mentioned that at the parish, previous students could become altar servers in the fourth grade but they changed it to all children who have made their first Communion.

“We lowered the age,” he said, noting that students have so much enthusiasm and excitement after making their first Communion. “They are so enthused and want to go to church.”

As a result of seeing the younger students involved, other students have decided to become involved.

By being part of a group, a team, it is Father Stoll’s hope that more altar servers will continue in the ministry longer, at least throughout high school years.

The two explained that while the program rolled out a year ago, they have been phasing in some aspects of the program throughout that year.

Leveling up
The next element of the program will begin next month when a ranking system will be implemented.

Early in February, an investiture ceremony will be held at all of Mater Dei’s weekend Masses for young people moving up in the ranks of their altar server program.

While the original Knights of the Altar program had about eight levels, starting next month this updated program at the Sioux City parish will have three levels for the time being. All servers will start as recruits. Through testing, the servers will have the option to strive for the next level or rank, which is an apprentice. The third level is knight, which is based on additional testing and other criteria. 

With the various levels, the servers will dress differently for Mass. Recruits will wear a white alb. Apprentice will wear a white alb with a white cincture and a cross. Knights will wear a cassock and surplice. They will also receive pins to denote their rank.

Zyzda recently led a fundraising campaign that raised $30,000 for the purchase of new altar server vestments – albs, cassocks, etc.

In the future, another two or three ranks may be added. 

With a year under their belts, Zyzda said the Knights of the Altar program “has gone very well and the parents are very supportive.”

“Ultimately, we want the servers to feel like they are part of a team that not everyone is part of. We want to catechize them and evangelize them. Hopefully from there the end goal is that they will make good discernment decisions in whatever they do as an adult,” he said.

Father Stoll mentioned that when the Knights of the Altar programs formed years ago they strived to not only help form good servers, but good Catholics and people with good character. That same concept holds true today.

If other parishes are interested in starting up their own Knights of the Altar, organizers are willing to share information and resources to use as starting place for their own program.