Our former (Episcopal) parish solved the problem by having all girl and all boy teams.
Our Catholic parish solves the problem by running the altar server program along military lines. Drill, ranks, promotions, points alloted for service, etc. That eliminates 99 and 94/100ths of the giggling silly girls, leaving a very few girls who are dedicated to serious service (and in numerous cases considering a vocation as a religious). Our altar server program is probably 75% male, and in the Elites (the kids who promise to serve through graduation from high school and lead the teams) my daughter was the only female in her graduating year.
Another option that another FReeper has in his parish is vesting the altar girls differently - in little nun's habits. It's adorable as can be, and their heads are covered, and it makes a clear distinction between Boys and Girls.
“Our Catholic parish solves the problem by running the altar server program along military lines. Drill, ranks, promotions, points alloted for service, etc. That eliminates 99 and 94/100ths of the giggling silly girls, leaving a very few girls who are dedicated to serious service (and in numerous cases considering a vocation as a religious). Our altar server program is probably 75% male, and in the Elites (the kids who promise to serve through graduation from high school and lead the teams) my daughter was the only female in her graduating year.
“Another option that another FReeper has in his parish is vesting the altar girls differently - in little nun’s habits. It’s adorable as can be, and their heads are covered, and it makes a clear distinction between Boys and Girls.”
Ha! I love it.
I particularly like the fact that your pastor keeps students on through high school. At the parish I grew up in, more or less, you are cut off at Confirmation, which is a shame. After that, you can be an Extraordinary Minister of Communion or a Lector.
In all honesty, it really is a shame that it has become the case that serving the altar is something only younger kids do. At the National Basilica and National Ukrainian Shrine the servers are older, college age or young adults. I’m 20 and I still altar serve (granted this is at a Catholic university, not a run of the mill parish). I have a number of friends (males, not females) that frequently serve too; one has already entered the seminary; one will in September, and another will enter the Jesuit novitiate in September as well. Each takes his duties quite seriously.
It may seem strange to say, but having the older servers (who are more mature and can comport themselves well) reminds us that the Holy Mass is truly a serious affiar. Mass sure isn’t child’s play.