By Gretchen Crowe
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 8/19/04)

Over 400 picnic-goers gathered at Lake Fairfax in Reston last week to pay tribute to the boys who serve at the Masses in the Diocese of Arlington.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde kicked off the Altar Server Picnic at noon by asking God to "bless our service — especially at the altar."

Complete with hot dogs, hamburgers and a prize drawing, the event gave the servers the opportunity to spend the afternoon in the company of priests, seminarians, the bishop and one another.

Javier Arevalo and John Alligood, rising seventh-graders, are altar servers at St. John Church in McLean. Though Arevalo is new to the ministry — he still makes some mistakes, he says matter-of-factly — serving at Mass runs in his family. "My brothers have been doing it, and I thought it would be fun," he said.

The picnic also allowed many of the seminarians who don’t get to see each other regularly to enjoy each other’s company. Newly ordained Father Augustine Minh-Hai Tran caught up with seminarian buddy Tony Killian. Killian, studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., said he enjoyed the "beautiful day," and that it was good to spend time with the servers.

The picnic was the result of a collaborative effort between the diocese and the Knights of Columbus. Kerry Gorton and Larry Cerruti, both members of the Knights, have been in charge of food purchasing and preparation for the picnic for the past 10 years. They enjoy seeing the servers "spend the day with priests and the bishop and one another," Gorton said. Whether cooking food or providing transportation, all the Knights helped out. "It’s a team effort," he said.

Bishop Loverde thanked all who were present — from the servers to the families and priests who support them. He also thanked the "faith-filled" Knights for their generosity and for making the event a success.

He then welcomed and thanked the seminarians, who are "our future, as I hope many of you will be," he said, addressing the crowd of servers. "You are very privileged in what you are doing."

Bishop Loverde called the opportunity to serve a "sign of God’s love.

"I hope you will grow in your enthusiasm and love in your service," he said. "Thank you for your choice to serve at God’s altar at your parish."

Prizes, such as lacrosse sticks, bats and basketballs, covered a long picnic table, as the boys gathered excitedly around with their red tickets, waiting for the annual drawing to begin.

Hovering around the table, James Sherrill, a member and server at St. Lawrence Parish in Alexandria for two years, pointed out the soccer ball he’d like to win. Sherrill said that he became an altar server simply because he wanted to "serve the Lord," adding that his brother will begin serving next year.

Bishop Loverde drew the winning tickets culminating with the grand prize ticket — No. 446708 — for a $100 savings bond.

Father Brian Bashista, director of the Office of Vocations, said that the picnic is "a way for us all to thank these servers for their generosity and faithfulness to serve the Lord and his altar.

"The moms and dads also need to be thanked," he added, calling them the "unsung heroes" who get the boys to Mass on time.

As lunch wrapped up with the drawing, activity suddenly erupted. Footballs, Frisbees and soccer balls began flying through the air. The youths formed impromptu teams. One server stood on a picnic bench and yelled out, "Yo — who wants to play cards?"

And the guests of honor continued to enjoy their day.