Register here to join our altar server training program! 

Altar Serving Training 

This year we are continuing our Altar Server formation program. Altar Serving at Mass is a beautiful way for our youth to more directly understand and engage with the liturgy, gaining both a better understanding of the Mass and liturgy and also of the importance of God’s presence in their lives.

The goal of this program is to train the students as Altar Servers, giving them the opportunity to learn the function and meaning behind the different elements of the Mass and liturgy.

Training sessions will be offered on the following dates: 10/28/25, 1/20/26, and 3/10/26. New altar servers will be eligible to begin serving after 1 training session, plus 2 practice sessions (serving Mass under the guidance of one of our lead servers).  

There is always more to learn and new friends to meet!

We ask the parents of Altar Servers to assist us with the following: 

1. Use our scheduling app (MIO) to set your family's preferred Mass times, desired frequency, and "away dates" every two months. 
2. Use the software to request a substitute when your child is unable to serve on an assigned date due to illness or schedule conflict. Accept substitute requests from others if possible.
3. Bring your child to the church ready to serve on their assigned dates in the proper attire, 
   at least 15 minutes before the start time of the Mass.
4. Take a turn washing Altar Server albs (robes) at home. There are a total of 24 albs that 
   need to be laundered and pressed every month or so. We ask each family to take a turn washing one or two per month.

About Scheduling

The Altar Server schedule is created online every two months using the automatic scheduling program Mass Intentions Online. Prior to scheduling, you will be prompted online to provide your child’s preferred Mass times, frequency of service, and “can’t serve” dates. Providing the information in advance of scheduling is the best way to ensure your child is assigned dates that work for your family and will reduce the number of sub requests needed. One may request a substitute using the system which will notify others of the request. We still ask for you to work to confirm a sub when needed, and to have the sub accept the request within the system.

Sign up now!

If you and your child are interested in participating in this beautiful ministry, please complete the online permission form at https://tinyurl.com/snsw-altarserver.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Michael Sternhagen at 650-948-2158 x 2204 or [email protected].

Thank you for encouraging your child's interest in serving our parish!