Altar servers perform not just a functional role but a symbolic role within liturgy.
All children in grades 3 -12 are welcome to train as altar servers. An altar server must attend a minimum of 3 hours of training before being allowed to serve Mass. After servers have completed training they are presented with a set of instructions covering the fundamentals of serving Mass.
Altar servers are expected to conduct themselves in a reverent and respectful fashion. For most Masses, servers should be in the sacristy and vested at least 15 minutes before Mass. Duties after Mass require another 15 minutes.