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BALLSTON SPA

Catholic mom drills young altar troops

Helped by sons, liturgical matriarch leads despite limits

For Katherine Murphy, the glow on the faces of altar servers when they enter the sacristy following Mass is the most rewarding part of her lay ministry at St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa. 

As coordinator of the parish's altar server recruitment and training program since moving to the Albany Diocese four and a half years ago, Mrs. Murphy has seen young people transformed by the opportunity to assist priests during the sacrament of the Eucharist.

"You can see it in their eyes," she insisted.

She credits her two altar server sons - Connor, 15, and Aidan, 13 - with doing much of the legwork on her behalf, since she uses a wheelchair.

Rather than dwelling on her disability, Mrs. Murphy sets what pastor Rev. Thomas Kelly describes as "a stellar example" for her sons and the roughly two dozen other altar servers who look to her for guidance, support - and scheduling details.

"I consider myself blessed to be able to foster a love of God through His Church by working with young people," said Mrs. Murphy. "I see my role as watering the seeds that God has planted by helping kids go in the right direction.

"It's a salve on the wounds to see the good that's inside these youngsters."

Her troops range from fifth-graders to high school seniors.

Healing over
Mrs. Murphy described herself as "a Catholic in my heart" long before she began adapting to life as a paraplegic due to an accident at the age of 21.

She began reading the Bible while in college, and has since "devoured everything that would help me become more knowledgeable about the Catholic faith and why we do the things we do, including the traditions associated with altar servers."

Although John, her husband of 18 years, is not directly involved in the altar server program, he supports her efforts. He sits at her side at Sunday services and other parish events. 

"When I first responded to an item in the church bulletin seeking a replacement for Gary O'Rourke, who was moving out of state, I thought John and I would be coordinating the program together, but it turned out Connor and Aidan could contribute a great deal from a peer perspective and it wound up being the three of us for the most part," said Mrs. Murphy.

When not involved in altar serving activities, Connor enjoys golfing, weight-lifting and reading - especially about New York State military history. Aidan, meanwhile, can be found playing football or lacrosse, depending on the season.

Young connections
These extracurricular activities help the siblings - both of whom are former Boy Scouts as well as being straight "A" students who attend Christian Brothers Academy in Albany on scholarships - relate on an informal level to those they are helping to train.

"Many of the altar servers, both young women and young men, are involved in sports like soccer and football that entail after school and weekend practices," said Mrs. Murphy. "They all have their ragamuffin side, and then there's the angelic side when they come to church all gussied up with their hair combed.

"Having Connor and Aidan as role models who can do the physical training works out great; it allows me to focus most of my energy on recruitment and scheduling."

The latter, she noted, is by far the most challenging part of her duties. "Especially during the summer months when some people seem to think God takes a vacation," she added. "I always encourage the kids I train to hot- foot it to the sacristy to don a cassock and surplice if they show up at Mass and see there's only one person helping the priest."

Stepping up
New recruits need a couple of months before they feel completely comfortable on the altar, Mrs. Murphy said.

"The younger ones sometimes experience anxiety much like stage fright, so we encourage them to understudy at least one Mass before they assume an active role." 

Others, such as transfers from other parishes, require minimal direction. Should any of the servers hesitate during Mass, Mrs. Murphy said Father Kelly provides guidance.

"Being an altar server isn't rocket science. The only thing I tell them they absolutely must never forget is to bow when they pass the tabernacle," noted Mrs. Murphy. 


(08/27/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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