News/Events

October 13, 2007 - Cardinal Recognizes Altar Servers of the Archdiocese

(Brighton, MA) ... Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley celebrated mass today with more than 500 altar servers from across the Archdiocese of Boston in recognition of their commitment to serving the Church. The Cardinal also announced the recipients of the Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Awards, given to four youths who have exhibited exemplary character of service to God and his/her parish community.

Cardinal Seán said, "Jesus calls each of us to a lifetime of service. Our Church enjoys a rich history of young people, through their experience as altar servers in our parishes, of being called to the priesthood and religious life. We are blessed to have so many young people so willing today to become active members of their parishes and to share their energy and talents with our Catholic faith community. Today we celebrate their accomplishments and their love of the Church through their important commitment to the Mass and parish life.”

Fr. Daniel Hennessey, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese, said, “Thousands of young people have served the Archdiocese as altar servers throughout its two hundred year history. Today we recognize the devotion and commitment of our altar servers and we pray that the Lord will inspire them to ask Him if they are being called to serve Him and His Church as priests and religious.”

During the Mass, the Cardinal blessed and acknowledged those altar servers in attendance. He presented them with a small gift in appreciation for their service.

Awards:

The Pope John Paul II Award were given to one Junior Server and one Senior Server who have shown exemplary service to their parish and their community by their imitation of Pope John Paul II. The recipients are young men of dedication and zeal in service to others, especially at the Altar. They are: (Senior Server) Brian McManimon of St Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Westord and (Junior Server) Shane Walsh of St AUgustine Parish, Andover.

The Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Award were given to one Junior Server and one Senior Server who have shown exemplary service to their parish and their community by their imitation of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The recipients are young women of dedication and zeal in service to others, especially at the Altar. They are: (Senior Server) Michelle McInnis of St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Acton and (Junior Server) Sally Barros of St Patrick Parish, Roxbury.

Following mass, a Vocation Fair featuring many Religious Orders was held at the Cathedral High School Gymnasium, adjacent to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

About The Archdiocese of Boston
The Archdiocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of approximately 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 295 parishes, across 144 communities, educating nearly 50,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of more than one million patients annually in its hospitals and 200,000 individuals through its social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.rcab.org.

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