December Schedule - Join the Band App

I will be phasing out this blog in the new year.  Please join the Band App - if you need a link, comment below.  The Band App is a more efficient method of communication with instant notifications (be sure to enable notifications!!) in case the need to find a replacement arises!

Below, please find the REVISED December Schedule.  If a name appears with a (?) it means they are not confirmed as a server.  I will update, as needed.

Time to Schedule December and a New Way to Keep in Touch!

It is time to start working on the schedule for December.  This is for REGULAR WEEKEND MASSES ONLY.  A separate announcement/request will be made for the special masses of Advent.

Also, I would like to transition to an app called Band for notifications, scheduling and more.  It is an easier way for everyone to communicate. 

The link for our group is:  https://band.us/n/a7aeY06eSau8L
Please download the app, allow notifications, and register.  There will come a time where it will be the only communication for SJASA.  Only families that communicate through the app will get priority in scheduling.

Thank you.

Altar Server Training Scheduled - Saturday, November 10, 2018

Fr. Tran will be conducting an Altar Server Training Session on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 10:00am.  This training has a maximum capacity of 12 servers.  If you wish to reserve one of the training spots, please comment below with the name of the server who will attend. 

If you are an experienced server and can attend to assist with the training, please contact me directly at (615) 838-0971.  

Thank you.

November 2018 - Altar Server Schedule

Thank you to everyone who responded for November 2018 scheduling.  I have tried to add in as many newly trained servers as possible.  Since I am relying on my fully trained servers for the "on the job" training each Mass, I am only adding in one (or two) of our newest servers.

For our new servers, please remember: 
1.  You must arrive 15-20 minutes before Mass starts
2.  If you cannot serve, it is your responsibility to notify me (via text), AND to find a replacement server.

For all Altar Servers, please remember:
1.  You are welcome to serve more than one mass per Month
2.  If you do not give me your availability, you will be scheduled when needed

Thank you!

Servers Needed - Funeral this Friday

3-4 servers are needed this Friday at 10am.  School is not in session, so we need a commitment from students who are available that day.  Please comment below.

Time for November - Please Comment for Scheduling

It is time to schedule for November 2018.

Please comment below with your availability and requests for the November weekend Mass schedule.  I will be creating the schedule over the weekend of October 20th.

Thank you.

Funeral - Saturday, October 6 at 10:00am - Servers Needed

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Earl Etter who passed away this week.

We are in need of at least 3 servers for his funeral, this Saturday, October 6, 2018 beginning at 10:00am.

Hannah S. has already volunteered.  2-3 more would be needed.

Please comment below if you are able to serve.

Thank you.

October Altar Server Schedule

Below, please find the Altar Server Schedule for October 2018.

We are in need of volunteers for several masses, please comment below if you can fill in for one of these Masses. Also, if you are at a Mass and you see the need for an Altar Server, please do not be afraid to volunteer, even if it is late.

Finally, Bishop Spalding will be celebrating Mass on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at 11:00am.  We would like at least two more servers.  If you can serve on this Sunday, as well as the other dates you have been scheduled, it would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Mandatory Altar Server Meeting - Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Please RSVP to Cara Gruszecki Smalley at (615) 838-0971 via text if you haven't already done so. 

Availability for October 2018

Please comment with your availability for the month of October 2018. 

If you prefer, you may also text me at 615-838-0971 with your availability.

Please comment with any or all of the following:

1.  Days you are available;
2.  Days you are NOT available;
3.  Number of weekends you are available to serve; and/or
4.  Which Sunday Mass times you are available.

Thank you so much.

September Schedule

As previously announced on the August calendar:

Saturday, September 1:  Matthew S. and Isabella W.

The September schedule is below.  We are still in need of Volunteers for some Saturday and some Sunday Masses.

My apologies for the screen shot that is attached, I am having computer issues.

You Are Appreciated and We Are Thankful for You!

Father Jean, Father Tran and I had a meeting yesterday to discuss the Altar Server Association.  We will be planning a meeting for parents and interested students in the near future. 

We truly appreciate everyone's time as an Altar Server and we appreciate the families of the servers, because we know it is not easy.  We are working hard to plan and recruit new members.  We know how difficult it is to be the only server at a Mass, or be unsure when you are serving.  With 12-15 Masses per month, and only 8-10 available families to help fill the need, we have been relying on your good faith to keep us up and running.  Thank you so much for your patience as we struggle through these weekends.

Please comment here on what you would like to do as an Association. 

For example: 
Would you like to plan field trips, have movie nights, or something else?
Would you like to host fundraisers such as the Taco Diner?
Would you like to see the points system revived to earn incentives?

August Schedule and September Availability Request

Once again, volunteers are needed for Sunday Masses.  Only the 26th of August is open.  If you can serve, please comment below.

I spoke with Father Tien Tran today and he is going to assist with further training for all Altar Servers.  More information to come.

Please comment below with special requests for September 2018. 






Thank you.



Saturday, August 4 - Matthew Smalley, Aubrey Burns, Isabella Wilhite (if available)
Sunday, August 5 - Jack, Joseph and Joshua Baker

Saturday, August 10 - Jacob and Will Spence
Sunday, August 11 - Ethan, Anna and Finn Donnelly

Saturday, August 18 - Jack, Joseph and Joshua Baker
Sunday, August 19 - CJ Miller and Carter Naylor

Saturday, August 24 - Jacob and Will Spence, Isaac Bohannon
Sunday, August 26 - NEED VOLUNTEERS

Saturday, September 1 - Isabella Wilhite, Matthew Smalley

2 Funerals - Servers Needed Please

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Susan Mitchell who passed on Tuesday, July 10th and Joseph Meeker who passed on Saturday, July 7.

Servers are needed for the funeral of Susan Mitchell on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00am.  Please comment below if you are able to serve.

Serves are also needed for the funeral of Joseph Meeker on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 1:00pm.  Please comment below if you are able to serve.

Thank you.

August Scheduling - Availability Please

Just when it seems I get the July schedule done, it is time for August!

Please post the dates you are NOT available, or if you have any scheduling preferences.

Thank you.

Remaining July Schedule - Volunteers Needed for Open Masses

Thank you to everyone for your patience waiting for the remaining part of the July schedule.  I truly appreciate your patience, and I also appreciate that your kids are willing to serve. 

The reason that the schedule was delayed this month was because we do not have enough servers to cover the entire month.  I do not want to schedule someone for more than one weekend Mass if they do not want to be scheduled for more than one.

With that said, I really do need some volunteers for Sunday Masses.  We have more than one Mass on more than one weekend that is empty and desperately needs servers.  Please look into your hearts and see if you can assist us this month.

Thank you.

Saturday, July 7 - Jacob Spence, Will Spence, Matthew Smalley
Sunday, July 8, 8:30 - Jack Baker, Joseph Baker, Joshua Baker
Sunday, July 8, 11:00 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Please Comment Below)

Saturday, July 14 - Matthew Smalley, Isabella Wilhite
Sunday, July 15, 8:30 - Emillie Cox, VOLUNTEER NEEDED (Please Comment Below)
Sunday, July 15, 11:00 - Lisa Lanas, Jeremy Lanas

Saturday, July 21 - Will Spence, Jacob Spence
Sunday, July 22, 8:30 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Please Comment Below)
Sunday, July 22, 11:00 - Ethan Donnelly, Anna Donnelly, Finn Donnelly

Saturday, July 28 - Aubrey Burns, Brogan Steigerwald
Sunday, July 29, 8:30 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Please Comment Below)
Sunday, July 29, 11:00 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Please Comment Below)

Altar Servers Needed - Funeral This Saturday

At least two Altar Servers are needed for a funeral this Saturday at 10am.    Please comment below if you can serve.  Thank you.

This Weekend Altar Server Schedule

Saturday, June 30 - Brogan Steigerwald, Aubrey Burns
Sunday, July 1, 8:30 - Adam Head, Carter Naylor
Sunday, July 1, 11:00 - CJ Miller, Cameron Rouse

Servers Needed TODAY - 10AM

I just saw an email that there is a funeral today at 10am.  Are there at least two servers available to assist?  Please comment below if you are available.  I apologize for the late notice.  Thank you.

July Availability and New Information/Messaging Format

Taken from today's final email from sjasa2015@gmail.com:

Hello everyone!  I am looking for everyone's availability for July 2018.  However, please do not respond to this email.  Please comment here with your July availability.  

I have created the following blogspot:  sjasa.blogspot.com

The blogspot is where ALL communication regarding Altar Servers will occur from now on. 

All Altar Servers (or their parents/guardians) are REQUIRED to subscribe to the blog in the upper right hand portion of the screen. 

All Altar Servers MUST also register with the new system:  https://goo.gl/forms/zhpjaa0A9VzN8w6D3 This is in addition to responding to your July availibility.

Again, DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL.  THIS IS NO LONGER A MONITORED EMAIL ADDRESS.  If you wish to discuss anything via email, please contact me at carasmalley@stjosephnashville.org, or call me at (615) 838-0971.

Thank you.

Cara Gruszecki Smalley

Welcome to the New SJASA Blog!

Welcome to the new Saint Joseph Altar Server Association Blog Pages!

All Altar Servers should follow this link to register with our new system.  Please keep in mind that if you wish to withdraw as an Altar Server, you must do so as outlined in the Altar Server handbook.

Go here to Register:  https://goo.gl/forms/zhpjaa0A9VzN8w6D3

Effective June 15, 2018, the sjasa2015@gmail.com email address will no longer be monitored.  All emails regarding Altar Serving should be directed to Cara Gruszecki Smalley at carasmalley@stjosephnashville.org.

All Altar Servers (and their parents) should subscribe to this blog in the upper right hand corner to keep apprised of all upcoming serving opportunities and requests, and to find out when to submit monthly scheduling preferences.  Please comment on each individual post to express your interest in each opportunity posted.

Please feel free to reach out to offer comments, suggestions, and a helping hand!