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Captain’s Duties

For each Mass, one server is designated as the Captain.  To be Captain you had to have shown responsibility and experience.  This person can serve in any of the four positions, but in addition to his or her own duties, they are responsible for the following. 

• Call each of the servers for your Mass the night before, in order to remind them about serving the next day.
• Remember to wear the special cross designated for the Captain Server ONLY.  When Mass is over, hang the cross up separately from the other crosses for the next Mass.
• Be a respectable and responsible leader to all the servers for your designated Mass.  Reassure them that you are there to help them, and make yourself available to teach.  Others learn best from the examples you exhibit yourself.  
• You are to assign positions to each server and make sure they understand their responsibilities before going to the chapel to wait. 
  Highlights:
  Remind the server who carries the cross, to get the water cruet quickly after returning up the aisle with the gifts, so that Father or the Deacon is not waiting long to pour the wine.

• Make sure that all servers are dressed properly (correct size and length of alb, correct cincture color, etc.) and waiting in the Chapel no later than 10 minutes before Mass begins.
• Make sure that the taper has enough wick and replace it if necessary.
• Make sure that the candles at the altar, the children’s liturgy candle, and the Easter candle (if there is a baptism) are lit no later than 10 minutes before Mass.  This doesn’t mean that the Captain must be the one to light the candles.  The Captain just needs to make sure that this has been done.

• Most important, the Captain is responsible for making sure that each server performs his or her specific duties properly and on time throughout the Mass.  These include:
   
  1. All servers use the proper posture when standing, sitting, or kneeling.
  2. The server with the Sacramentary (book) should be ready to take it to Father when he says, “Let us pray.”  
  3. The server who carries the cross goes to the chapel at the end of the creed or after the baptism.
  4. The server responsible for the altar brings the chalice and cruet to the altar after the Prayers of the Faithful (“Lord, Hear Our Prayer.”)
  5. The server with the Sacramentary places it on the altar during the collection.
  6. Make sure that the server who carries the cross has gone back quickly to get the water cruet for Father or Deacon to pour the wine.
  7. The servers bring the pitcher, bowl, and towel to Father after they place the bread and wine on the altar.
  8. The server who rings the bells at the consecration rings them at the proper time.
  9. The Sacramentary, chalice and wine decanter are removed from the altar during communion.
  10. If the server responsible for any of these duties forgets to do them, it is the Captain’s responsibility to either remind that server or to do it him or herself.  Just make sure it gets done.
• Make sure that all candles have been extinguished after Mass is over.
• Make sure that the server’s albs have been hung up properly in the closet.  Instructions are posted on the inside of the closet door.
• Make sure the attendance form for your Mass has been filled out properly.

As Captain, you must set a good example to the other servers by showing up when scheduled and being on time!  Failing to show up when scheduled without arranging a substitute will mean that you will not serve as a Captain in the future.

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