Paulsdorf altar boys inspire with Instagram hits and commitment!

Paulsdorf altar boys inspire with Instagram hits and commitment!

In the picturesque community of Paulsdorf in the Amberg-Sulzbach district, young people show what it means to stand up for the community and the faith. Magdalena Heldmann, 19, and Verena Raps, 20, are the senior altar boys at the Catholic Church of Saint Peter and Paul. The two best friends have been involved in altar server service for over ten years and thus make an important contribution to their church community. While Heldmann is training to become an office clerk, Raps works as a medical assistant. In their free time they devote themselves to training young altar boys and organizing the service.

There are a total of 26 altar boys in Paulsdorf who play a central role at celebratory occasions such as weddings, funerals and church services. Their duties include carrying candles, ringing bells and reading intercessions. By taking part in campaigns such as the star singers, the altar boys also collect donations for children in need. The close cooperation between each other creates a friendly atmosphere that is characterized by familiarity and fun in faith.

The use of the altar servers

Heldmann and Raps not only organize the altar server service, but also take care of prevention work in the community in order to create a safe environment for the children and young people. They are often nervous at larger services because the procedures are more complicated, but they approach it with enthusiasm. In September, their church will become part of a larger parish community, which could reduce the number of masses in Paulsdorf. “On Sundays without mass we sometimes have the opportunity to visit other parishes, but we cannot minister there,” explains Heldmann.

A particularly innovative project of the two is the active use of social media. Her videos have taken the young perspective on faith and altar server work to a new level. A video for the song “Outfit Check” has received over two million views on Instagram. This shows how well young people can deal with current trends. Winfried Brandmaier from the Altar Ministries Pastoral Department describes this success as exemplary and emphasizes how humorous insights into the service around the altar reach the community.

Social media and young people

The importance of social media for young people cannot be overstated. According to a study by the Media Education Research Association Southwest in 2022, 95 percent of young people in Germany use the internet every day, with Instagram being the most popular platform. Heldmann and Raps use this platform to share their experiences and the fun of faith. This form of communication could also encourage other young people to become actively involved and find a place in the community. The chaplain and the priest support the two altar boys in their creative ideas and actions.

Although they receive positive feedback, there are also critical comments on their posts. The challenges and opportunities that social media offers cannot be underestimated. Nowadays it is particularly important to promote media literacy in order to ensure responsible use of such platforms.

However, Heldmann and Raps are sure that their commitment to altar service and their creative use of social media will continue to bear fruit. Their goal is clear: they not only want to pass on their own enthusiasm for the faith, but also inspire others to become part of this wonderful community.