| It has been said that Altar Guild members are the "hands of the priest" and, indeed, they do provide him with all the extra help needed to make our services as holy as they must be. St. Alban's Altar Guild is formed of a small number of dedicated ladies, plus a couple of helpful husbands who reach high places and lift heavier objects. It is the duty of the Altar Guild to prepare the sacred elements for all services: Eucharists, weddings, funerals, memorial services, baptisms, etc. But there are also many mundane housekeeping-type chores such as polishing all silver and brass, laundering linens, keeping the candles burning properly, and looking after all priestly vestments. They also have charge of the flower and Sanctuary candle charts whereon each week's donor is listed. The Altar Guild at St. Alban's is named for Our Lady of Walsingham, Richeldis de Faverches. Richeldis was a Saxon noblewoman with a deep faith in God and devotion to Mary. In the year 1061, Richeldis had a vision in which she was taken by Mary to be shown the house in Nazareth where the angel Gabriel announced the news of the birth of Jesus. Mary asked Richeldis to build an exact replica of that house in Walsingham. From this, Walsingham became known as England's Nazareth. This simple wooden structure became a pilgrimage-shrine until destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538. In 1922, after nearly 400 years, a new statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was dedicated and now that statue forms the worship site of an Anglican pilgrimage church called Holy House. Our Altar Guild members strive to carry on Richeldis' faith and dedication as they tend the Altar at St. Alban's. They need and cordially welcome new members, promising competent training in their sacred tasks. br/3-24-03 |
| ALTAR GUILD |