St. Alphonsus Holy Name of Jesus , 48 Wawbeek Ave, Tupper lake
St. Henry's Parish, Long Lake, 1188 Main St, Long Lake
St. Therese Parish Newcomb, 18 Adams Lane, Newcomb

Back Row: Kaileigh Dukette, Heather Bujold, Eliza Bujold,  Alyza Symonds Front Row:   Samuel Scout Ellis,   Amelia Shaheen, Lance Schaffer, Yana Kucipak
This inspirational photo shows the group of altar servers that showed up to serve at the11 o'clock Mass at St. Alphonsus Holy Name of Jesus parish this past Sunday.  As Father Decker refers to them, they are his "Little Angels".  They are exactly that to so many of the parishioners too!  At a time when many people are not going to Mass, and certainly attendance numbers have declined since Covid, this group of faith filled boys and girls, and various other altar servers, cheerfully run down the aisle each week, get dressed in their vestments, joyously run back to join Father Decker and Father Clement, and then smile and greet all the folks  entering church. They are each so eager and proud to process in, carrying the giant cross and the candles, and take their places at the altar.  All servers take their job very seriously!  Their smiles and enthusiasm indicate just how much they truly enjoy serving. 

                    Every year Father Decker invites any 3rd grade student, who has made their 1st Communion, to become a server.  Many not only take him up on that offer, joining the lessons for that ministry, but stay as altar servers all through high school!  (The Boudreau triplets are a perfect example of that.)   The servers do not serve just for the trip to Old Forge Water Safari Park that Father rewards them with each summer, nor for the financial aid to attend Guggenheim Church Camp if they wish,  these kids serve because they truly want to serve.  They enjoy helping the priests, as well as helping the newest and youngest servers.  It is truly heartwarming to the congregation to see a 5th grade, or older server,  instruct a young 3rd grade server in how to ring the bells, or for adults to watch the older kids assist the newest of servers  in how to get organized  for the entrance and exit processions, or for parishioners to observe the "pros" advise the younger servers when and what to be doing at the Eucharistic Table.   These boys and girls are not only Father's Little Angels, they are ours's too!  They are living out how it truly is "better to give than to receive".   Our congregation wants to thank each of these little servants.   They are a true inspiration. They are the future and hope of our church!