Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury presided at a special Mass for the altar servers of St Peter’s, Stalybridge, and surrounding parishes and their families and friends.
In his homily the Bishop spoke of asking some altar aervers how to increase the commitment of the youth of a parish to service at the altar and received the reply: “Pay us.”
However, he went on to say that the servers in front of him did the job for the service of their communities. They have learned to serve. Every vocation is a life of service, he said. He congratulated the young people on their work for the Church and commended their efforts.
After his homily, the servers came forward in turn to receive their certificates from the Bishop. The certificates were provided by the Serra Club of North Cheshire who organised the event along with the parish priest, Father Bernard Forshaw.
After the Mass the whole congregation, together with the Bishop and priests. Including the Serra Chaplain, Father Anthony Coglilolo, and the members of Serra, were invited into the parish centre for refreshments provided by the ladies of the parish.