~ I Cried Him Into It ~

by Tina~in_ut

In fourth grade, the boys and girls at school decide whether or not they want to be altar servers at church. That is the year they are allowed to start. In October of 2000, my family went to 12 o'clock mass like we did every week, and afterward, I noticed that many of my son's friends were there, but I hadn't seen them at mass. I asked my son why they were all there. He said that it was the first day of altar server class. I asked him why he wasn't going. He said that he didn't want to do it. I couldn't believe my ears. I had always planned for all three of my children to become altar servers. My brothers weren't altar boys and when I was young, girls couldn't be and I wanted to. I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. I started crying. I'm not sure why it was so important to me. Maybe I was one of those mother's that wanted to live vicariously through her kids......or maybe I was just PMS'ing~ Either way, the crying worked. He went to class with his friends.

I remember the first mass that he served at. My favorite priest, Fr. Tom, said the mass. My son and his classmate were supposed to be serving with an older boy who would show them what to do if they forgot. The older boy did not show. They were on their own. They did a good job and only made minor mistakes. At the end of the service, before he walked out, Fr. announced to the entire congregation that it was the boys' first time serving and they did it all on their own and congratulated them. Everyone clapped. Proud Mommy moment.

Three years later, my twins became altar servers. My oldest showed them the ropes. In fact, he taught quite a few of the younger kids what to do. He was very patient and kind and always seemed to know what needed to be done. I would watch him closely and notice a look here or a nod there where he would silently tell the others what to do next. I don't think he ever realized what a good example he was for the kids.

Once the kids graduate from 8th grade, they usually stop serving. Since the twins still were, my oldest did as well. By then, we were going to the 8am mass because that's when they needed servers the most. It was very hard sometimes to make it to the early mass, especially as the kids got older and all of our schedules got busier and busier. Even though we tried changing to the 5pm Saturday mass a couple of times, we always went back to where the kids were needed the most......8am on Sunday. There were a couple of years where the Mr and I were Eucharistic Ministers as well. All five of us were on the altar with the priest at the same time. Can you even picture that? (that's a rhetorical question!)

The twins are graduating from 8th grade next month. I finally told the person in charge that the kids will no longer be serving as of the April schedule. My oldest served for 8 years and the twins for 5 years. Easter Sunday was their last mass as altar servers. I cried of course.......and brought my camera. (that's what scrapbooking mother's do!) I watched my older son sitting next to the priest and deacon. He looked so peaceful and reverent. I smiled. I knew he was thinking about what we should have for breakfast and what xbox game he should play when he got home. I was right, too. He grinned when I asked him about it and said, "How did you know?" I laughed...."because I'm your mother!" I'm really going to miss this........