by Lino Fernandes
On May 1, bank holiday, 55 parishioners - 23 of which were altar servers attended the annual altar server rally in The Friars, Aylesford Priory, Kent. Luckily the traffic was on our side so we arrived with plenty of time until the mass started so we relaxed at the tearoom with tea and coffee until it was time to get vested for mass.
We attended the solemn Mass at 11.30am, presided over by Bishop Paul Hendricks which Father Peter concelebrated and Deacon Steven was Deacon of the mass. Although there was a little drizzle, the sun was out for the rest of the day. During the mass, altar servers were awarded with their bronze medal and others awarded their silver medals for 10 years of service.
The sun was out while we enjoyed our lunch and prepared our teams for the football tournament. We were able to have a Sacred Heart A, B AND EVEN A C TEAM! Despite the frustrations, we were able to sign all our teams up. Sacred Heart A team was made up of 5 of our altar servers: Samuel Q (Captain), Caleb, Luke, Daniel and Rafferty (Goalkeeper).
Sacred Heart B Team: Kaimu (Captain), Lenon, Samuel K, Roman , Clyde (Goalkeeper).
Sacred Heart C Team: Lucianna (Captain),Kayla, Alexis, Daphne, Arianna (Goalkeeper).
Unfortunately, our C team were knocked out in the quarter finals with A team getting eliminated in penalty’s too but B team advanced to the semis after an amazing win against Sacred Heart, Camberwell.
We had a safe journey back and look forward to the rally next year on the 6th of May 2024.
This was a great opportunity for the servers to spend time together and strengthen friendships as servers and celebrate the ministry.
