Altar Servers Cheer for Pirates on “Faith and Fun day”
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day
That may need to become the new official motto of “Faith and Fun Day.” But an evening Pittsburgh rain shower didn’t dull the enthusiasm of altar servers, priests and family members who participated in this year’s July 2 event.
The 12th annual “Faith and Fun Day, ” attended by more than two dozen altar servers, included morning Divine Liturgy at Holy Ghost in McKees Rocks, Pa.; a visit to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History; and cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park during their 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Father Kevin Marks, of St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio and St. Michael in Hermitage, Pa., organized the event. During his homily at Holy Ghost, he asked altar servers if they knew why they wear “special clothes.” He said their vestments are no different than their baptism garb.
“Those vestments represent something very special. They represent Christ. “Your service as altar servers is not only for the church. You said you were going to bring that light of Jesus Christ everywhere.” Father Kevin also explained the meaning of the candles they carry during Divine Liturgy. “You have to be that light of Jesus Christ.”
He told altar servers Jesus “thanks you and is proud of you.”
Following the liturgy, they received a blessing and gift from Archbishop William Skurla. In previous years, altar
servers have enjoyed a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium; Carnegie Science Center; a private tour of
Heinz Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers; and visits to the former Consol Energy Center and WQED television
studios in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.
Father Kevin said “Faith and Fun Day” began as a way to honor altar servers for their service.
“We are all in this together.”
