Altar server retreats bring young Catholics together in faith and service
By Allison Mosier10/19/2026
What began as an idea among three diocesan priests has grown into an opportunity for young Catholics across the Diocese of Erie to deepen their faith, build friendships and discover the importance of serving Christ.-X3.jpg)
Fifty young Catholics gathered at St. Tobias Parish in Brockway on Oct. 17 for the Diocese of Erie's second altar server retreat of 2026, continuing an initiative that began earlier this year to strengthen faith and foster community among young people who serve at Mass.
The first retreat, held Feb. 28 at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie, also welcomed 50 participants in grades six through 12. The initiative began through conversations among Father Luke, Father Brandon Feikles and Father Ben Daghir about evangelization and opportunities to engage young Catholics.
"About a year ago, in one of those conversations, Fr. Brandon mentioned that the Diocese of Tulsa had held an altar server retreat that went over well," Father Luke recalled. "The three of us agreed to give this a go, and planning began immediately."
Following the enthusiastic response in February, the initiative continued in collaboration with the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.
The October retreat included presentations on "The Power and Reality of the Holy Mass" and "The Nature of Serving," along with opportunities for questions, fellowship, Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation.
Father Brandon Feikles emphasized the significance of the altar server's role in the celebration of Mass.
"To assist the priest at Mass is to serve Jesus Christ as He gives His life for all of us," he said. "There's nothing more beautiful than to be close to Jesus… and that privilege gets extended to altar servers."
Beyond understanding their responsibilities at Mass, the retreats encourage young Catholics to recognize the importance of belonging to a larger community of faith.
"Catholic means universal. Retreats and other diocesan faith formation opportunities allow young people to meet peers from across the diocese and recognize that they are not alone in their faith," said Sister Bianca Feuerstein of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.
Participation has extended well beyond the immediate host parishes. Students traveled from Mercer, Warren and Clearfield counties for the February gathering, while 19 students from the Erie and Grove City regions traveled together by bus to Brockway in October.
Father Luke hopes those connections continue beyond the retreat.
"My biggest hope for our altar servers is that they find Catholic community," he said.
Father Ben Daghir emphasized the example these young Catholics provide to the wider Church.
"In a 21st century world that has a tendency to privatize our Catholic faith, these young men and women are very visible and public in their faith," he said.
Both retreats were made possible through the dedication of priests, diocesan staff, parish communities and volunteers, along with the generosity of donors and support from the Catholic Services Appeal.
Together, their efforts provide opportunities for young Catholics to grow in faith, recognize the value of their service and build connections that extend beyond their home parishes.
A special thank you to everyone who helped make the Diocese of Erie's second Altar Server Retreat a success!
The Diocese of Erie extends its sincere gratitude to Tara Starr, director of religious education, and Father John Detisch for hosting the retreat at St. Tobias Parish in Brockway. Special thanks to Tara for her dedication and the many hours of work behind the scenes to help bring the day together.
Thank you to Irene Schneider, director of evangelization at St. Francis Xavier Parish, for helping coordinate bus transportation, making it possible for more young people to participate.
We are also grateful to the diocesan Office of Faith Formation for its work in planning, organizing and managing the retreat, as well as providing support throughout the day. Thank you to Father Scott Jabo from the Office of Vocations and seminarian Jack Roy for their involvement in the vocational portion of the program.
Special thanks to the diocesan Office of Communications and Advancement for its assistance with promotional materials, registration pages and coordination across departments.
These retreats are a wonderful example of what can happen when parishes, priests, diocesan offices and volunteers work together to create meaningful opportunities for young people to grow in their faith.
Finally, thank you to our generous donors and everyone who supports the Catholic Services Appeal. Your generosity helps make faith formation opportunities like this possible for young Catholics throughout the Diocese of Erie.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this day possible!
Thank you for mjschwentner Photography for the beautiful photos.
Ways to Give: Support Faith Formation for Young Catholics
Opportunities like the Altar Server Retreat help young Catholics deepen their relationship with Christ, build friendships rooted in faith and discover the joy of serving the Church.
There are two ways to help make these experiences possible:
1. Support the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA)
The Catholic Services Appeal supports ministries and programs throughout the Diocese of Erie, including faith formation opportunities that help young people grow in their Catholic faith. By making a gift to the CSA through your parish, you help strengthen the Church's mission and invest in the next generation of Catholics.
2. Make a Direct Gift to Support Youth Faith Formation
Those who wish to support opportunities like the Altar Server Retreat more directly can make a gift designated for the Altar Server Retreat or the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. These contributions help provide meaningful experiences where young Catholics can encounter Christ, explore their vocations and connect with others who share their faith.
Your generosity helps ensure that opportunities for prayer, fellowship and spiritual growth remain available to young people across the 13 counties of the Diocese of Erie.
Make a gift: https://onrealm.org/DioceseErie/-/form/give/now
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