New altar servers at St James' parish, Bootle near Liverpool, were welcomed to the team recently when they had their first training session.

The young people were then invited to join the rest of the team on a trip to the ice rink at Widnes, where plenty of fun was had in true Salesian style.

It's always wonderful to welcome young people to this important mission, and the whole Church is grateful for their commitment. Pope Francis beautifully expressed the blessings and joys of answering the call to this mission when he spoke to an international gathering of altar servers in 2015:

"Dear altar boys and altar girls, the closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the Word and the Body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received."