St Philip’s Servers

St. Philip’s Servers (SPS) are the men and boys who serve the Liturgy at Holy Family. Boys in grade two and up, who have received their First Communion, are able to join this group of brothers.

Meetings: On most Thursdays throughout the year, we have a meeting from 3:35-5:05pm. During the school year (September-June), we try to begin the meeting with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a short talk. We then break up into groups for training in ceremonies and responses. Towards the end of the practice, if the boys have won enough points by their good behaviour, we have a snack and a game! In the summer months (July-August), our regular meeting is completely dedicated to games and sports.

Since many of St. Philip’s Servers do not live in the neighbourhood, we have another practice on Monday nights from 7-8pm (in the school year) and 7:30-8:30pm (in the summer). These Monday night practices are almost exclusively for Latin Mass training. 

In addition to our regular practices, we have special practices at various times of the year, especially during Holy Week. Besides Fr. Michael Eades, several generous seminarians and a remarkable group of older servers help with the SPS training on Thursdays and Mondays.

Commitment: Each of St. Philip’s Servers tries to serve Mass twice a week, on Sunday and then on one other day. We try to go to confession at least once a month. Each day, we say a decade of the Divine Mercy chaplet as well as an Our Father and Guardian Angel Prayer for the intentions of our brothers in SPS. We pray especially that some of us will become priests.

Outings: We have a Christmas Outing and an Easter Outing for those who served during the Church’s most important feasts. These outings have included things like bowling, laser-tag, paint balling, the science museum, sports at De La Salle High School. In the late summer, we have our annual Mega-Outing, an all day trip to the Niagara Falls region and the Hilbert Farm. The Mega-Outing ends with a bonfire, smores, and the rosary.

For more information, contact Fr. Michael Eades (416-532-2879 – [email protected]).