I want to be an altar server because it is a great way for me to show God that I love Him. Prayer is when we talk to God, and the Mass is the greatest prayer we have. I know that Jesus died on the cross for us, and so I want to do something for Him.
Growing up I watched my brother and sister serve at the altar. When I was really little, I would go to church with my Mom and help her set up for the Mass and take care of the flowers around the altar. Being an altar server gives me the opportunity to participate in the Mass in a special way. It makes me feel like I am doing something more for the church than just coming to Mass.
"Why volunteer as an Usher?Ushers likely live longer lives!!!
When I first touched foot on the grounds of LaGuardia Airport I worried what was going to be my footing now. No more promotions, medals and training? I felt a sense of anxiousness as a veteran, and I moved home as the prodigal son to my dad’s home a few miles away from St Paul’s. My dad would always tell me to fall in love with Jesus and He will change your life and give you the strength.
For months I did not give in since strength to me was my brain power, my leg muscles, biceps and push-ups. You are telling me to rely on a spirit that I can’t even see? But then the pandemic hit, and I saw customers at work dying and then society shutdown and I began to get depressed and I decided to just go to mass at Marydell and a few parish center masses masked up. I remember my dad asking me if I can help with collections and he put me under the mentorship of the lead usher George with Marty Hernan and Tony (who left us due to retirement). I also became close to the priests, and I learned the reverence through one service at a time. I learned how faith in what isn’t seen but believed can strengthen you and most of all I learned everything I can do is not me but God who holds me up. I learned I am nothing without the Lord. Everything I experience is because He died for my sins, so I give my heart and my time. Serving is more important than a paycheck or watching a movie on my free time. God is my everything, so I give Him my everything. His love is like a river, peaceful and deep.
Paul Aberion
Why do I volunteer?
Basically, because I am selfish and it makes me feel good! I feel Blessed to be part of St. Paul & St Ann Parish so why not share the blessings I receive with others- not only at the masses but especially at Nyack Manor. You get to know the people and they are so appreciative! They do not care if you mess up, which of course I do, (I think of it as the good Lord giving me a much-needed dose of humility) the residents and the workers are a special group of people. I am honored to be working with them all.
As a new volunteer, you will find the existing volunteers are very supportive. You are not thrown to the wolves, so to speak. You can start out at a daily mass where the crowd is usually smaller, or work with an existing volunteer in visiting facilities. That is how I started. Thanks to Kathy Hartl. Just assume you will mess up at some point in time. It takes the anxiety out of the picture.
So come and enjoy yourself as a volunteer at SPaSA Parishes!!
Diana Costanzo