Bolgatanga-Ghana, Nov 15, GNA – The Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Bolgatanga of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga has officially admitted 60 Altar boys into the Mass Servers Association of the Parish, with a call on them to be disciplined, dedicated and serve God with dignity and sincerity.
They are presently part of the Saint Dominic Savio Mass Servers Association, one of the Liturgical Ministries of the Church.
Admission, liturgically called ‘Investiture or Initiation’ is a sacred, spiritual and cardinal activity of the liturgical ministry where newly trained mass servers are consecrated.
They are given authority to sit at the sanctuary and are required to assist the priests and other religious leaders during Holy Masses, benediction and other liturgical ceremonies.
It also forms part of efforts in training the young servers to respond to God’s call to venture into the priesthood and other religious ministries.
Prior to the Investiture, the Altar boys had undergone thorough vigorous training and prayers for about three years to equip them with the word of God, history and doctrine of the Catholic Church, values of Altar servers and the spiritual strength they need.
They were vested with cassocks and surplices as symbols of purity and holiness and are expected to assist the priests in the celebration of the Holy Masses and other Liturgical ceremonies of the Catholic Church.
The Altar boys were presented with certificates which qualify them to serve in any Catholic Church celebration across the world.
Conducting the investiture ceremony, Very Reverend Father Samuel Atinga, the Sacred Heart Cathedral Administrator, Bolgatanga, noted that the Mass Servers Association was one of the important ministries of the Catholic Church and it was a privilege to be a member.
He said the Investiture was significant in preparing the young servers spiritually and personally in the journey of God to serve God well and venture into various vocations including the priesthood and marriage.
“Many of the priests you see around came through the mass servers’ association, only few priests were not mass servers before going to the seminary, so we hope that many of you will respond to God’s call and enter into the priesthood or marriage,” he said.
He commended the parents of the servers for allowing them to be part of the Association to serve God.
He also commended Mr James Nsoh, Director of the Mass Servers Association in the Church for his guidance over the years.“You are committed and that is why you have given yourselves to serve at Masses, I want you to continue to be committed and serve God wholeheartedly,” he added.
