At the dinner table on a Monday, my parents told my brother that he was to receive an Altar Sever Award for Outstanding Achievement – Archdiocese of Toronto, Northern Region. Even though it seemed that I wasn’t happy for him, in side I was really happy for him. He has been altar sever for a long time; I believe this is his 5th year, so I really do think he earned it. So on Saturday October 11, 2014 Angelous, my dad, and I went to a church far away from my home to obtain this honorable reward. My mom was not feeling well, so she could not come along.
When we arrived at the church, my brother went to change and he dashed over into the hall to sit at seat number 173. My father and I went to find a seat within the church, preparing the camera to take snap shots of my dashingly stunning brother (hah joking). As we sat down, I realized that there was a pamphlet that other people had, and I went to get two. When I opened the pamphlet, I saw so many names and I knew that all of the people listed inside were receiving the award. I turned the page and I saw Angelous’ name. At that moment, I smiled, grateful for the opportunity God had granted my loving brother, and I was proud of him.
A strange bell rang and the Most Reverend Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick (Northern Region), priest, and the altar servers came in. My father went up ready to take a picture of Angelous. After that he came back and the mass begun. This was one of the shortest mass I have ever attended. It was for less than 30 minutes while normal Sunday services are usually one hour. There was no second reading and the homily for some reason was short. There were people from 29 parishes that were supposed to receive the award. This could be the reason why they had to shorten the service.
The award ceremony began and the master of ceremony started to call the alter servers, saying the first and last names. When our parish time was approaching, I informed my father and he started walking up to take a picture of Angelous and the other altar servers in our church community. When the bishop called my brother’s name, I felt like clapping for him, but we were not allowed to clap until after every altar servers name had been called out (if my mom was around, she could have made her African noise… lililililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, I have no idea what it is called…but it is loud, and you know she is loud already…).
After the service, we all went to the hall for some snacks. There was no Sambusa, Mandazi, Chapatti or any African snack that I know. We did not expect to find them anyways because out of about 175 alter severs; there were only 3 African recipients. Thanks to God that my dad had fed us with the heaviest African breakfast he normally prepares for us on weekends (boiled eggs, Nsenene, banana, slices of whole wheat bread and a cup of milk with milo).
My brother then changed out of his holy robes and off we took off to come home. I felt so proud of my brother. I couldn’t stop thinking what it would be like if I could have been awarded. I am an alter sever myself, who knows I could be next.
Angela-Acaye