Altar servers reminded: Be bearers of hope

Altar servers were exhorted to become bearers of hope during the first run of this school year's Knights of the Altar Convention, which gathered around 600 altar servers from Vicariates of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Lourdes on November 30, 2024, at St. Joseph Seminary.

The event brought together participants from Dolores, San Juan, Lagangilang, Malibcong, Sallapadan, Tubo, Luba, Manabo, Boliney, and Bucay parishes for a day of spiritual reflection, fellowship, and camaraderie.

The convention opened with a Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Bernard Barbosa. "Our altar servers are blessed… They are called to serve the Lord directly and therefore should find joy in their sacred service," he said. He thanked the altar servers for their service to the parishes, acknowledging how the parishes would struggle without their dedication.

Frt. Jairus Valentino further inspired the altar servers with a talk focusing on hope through service. He reminded the young participants that their role extends beyond the church sanctuary, influencing their families and communities in profound ways, making them truly the bearers of hope.

A Festival of Talents showcased the altar servers' creativity and dedication, while sports and indoor games such as basketball, volleyball, chess, Scrabble, and table tennis provided opportunities for teamwork and friendly competition.

The day concluded with a closing ceremony recognizing the winners of the various competitions and celebrating the participants' shared values of unity, service, and hope.

​Upcoming events include an elementary-level altar servers' gathering on December 7, 2024, and a convention for high school and college-level altar servers from the Vicariates of St. James and Immaculate Conception on December 14, 2024.