The Ashley Code Joy of Service Award
This award is presented to the Altar Server who exhibits great joy in serving, not only at the altar but in all aspects of life - a person who takes pride in carrying the cross of Jesus, a person who is happy to volunteer, a person who evangelizes by their joyful way of life, a person whose smile can warm a heart, a person in whom we can see Jesus, a person who is the difference that makes a difference. This year’s recipient was a high school scholar, Student Council board member, and was very active in high school liturgies as an Altar Server and Lector. He was named St. Ann’s Altar Server of the Year in 2017, and was named a Brother Martin Golden Crusader in 2020. This year’s award is presented to Tharuka Fernando.

St. John Berchmans Award
Tharuka was also awarded the St. John Berchmans Award for serving from 4th Grade through 12th Grade - Nine years of consistent service at the altar. St. John Berchmans is the patron saint of Altar Servers. Among many saintly things, St. John Berchmans was known to be every-ready to serve others, was known to never quarrel, and was known for his excessively strict obedience to the rule of his religious order, the Jesuits, which he entered at the age of 16. It is our hope that our Altar Servers will follow in his footsteps. St. John Berchmans is quoted as saying,

“Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us.
What we really are consists in what God knows us to be.”

The recipient of this year’s Altar Server of the Year Award represented St. Ann Parish at the diocesan-wide Serra Club of New Orleans Altar Servers Awards Mass on September 8th. This Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond who personally distributed the awards to each recipient. The recipient shows outstanding technical standards at serving the Altar, leadership as a team captain, a will to mentor younger servers, and has actually recruited several high school students to serve. This year’s recipient is also a high school Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Student Ambassador, recruiter, member of school leadership, is recognized by several national honor societies, has worked with St. Michael’s Special School children, and has organized and/or assisted with several community service projects here at St. Ann Parish and the wider community. When asked, “Why do you like being an Altar Server?” he responded by saying that it brings him a feeling of closeness to God, and that serving at religious events in addition to Sunday Mass - such as Rosaries, Vigils, Christmas, Triduum, and Easter services, and having the honor to serve for Archbishop Aymond - has opened the door to his faith life, and he is able to use his Altar Serving experiences as an evangelization tool to help other young people in their faith lives.

This year’s St. Ann Altar Server of the Year Is Johnny DiMaggio.

The St. Ann Altar Server ministry offers a wonderful opportunity for young parishioners to serve God and the Parish. The ministry is blessed with over 80 boys and girls from grade 4 though college; their role is to assist the priests and deacons at various Eucharistic Celebrations throughout the year, including weddings and funerals held at St. Ann and at special school liturgies. Altar servers are given instruction on service during the Mass, as well as liturgical education so that they can better know the Catholic faith and become leaders in the faith community.