Our acolytes perform many of the small tasks that help the service proceed without hiccups or delays because something is not in the right place.  It is a ministry that can be done by anyone who can walk without assistance and is very satisfying when a service proceeds without issue.  When there are issues, it is good to be able to improvise on the spur of the moment, with the advice and consent of the Celebrant and/or Deacon.

The duties of the acolyte(s) include:  lighting the candles prior to the service, carrying the cross (and possibly candle sconces) in the procession, receiving the bread and wine and handing them to the Deacon, handing the holy water to the Deacon, performing the ablutions for the primary Celebrant, ringing bells on high holy days and during certain seasons, preparing and carrying incense for Christmas Eve, carrying the cross (and possibly candle sconces) for the gospel procession, helping to clear the table after eucharist, extinguishing the candles after eucharist, and carrying the cross (and possibly candle sconces) at the end of the service.