Do you think there are things that are impossible to achieve? For example, becoming the top student in class or being the best in a certain field? For me, as an introvert, getting to know many people used to feel impossible. Even more so working with people I had never met before. But after becoming an altar server committee member, I learned that nothing is impossible, not even facing my greatest fears.
You might be wondering what an altar server is. According to the term “misdienaar” from Dutch, altar servers are assistants who help the priest during the Eucharistic celebration. But for me, altar servers are much more than that, especially in the Melania Parish. The altar server community is not only about serving at the altar,it is a place where we can feel at home in God’s house, a community where the people become reasons to grow and try new things.
I have been an altar server for four years, but last May I was appointed as the treasurer of the altar server committee. I was surprised when my parish priest, Father Jumi, chose me. However, he said something that strengthened my confidence: “If God chooses someone for a task they cannot do, it means God wants them to rely on Him in every duty.” Because of that, I remain committed to this calling.
Our first program was a tree-planting activity. We carried it out on November 9, 2025. At first, we were confused about where the activity should take place. After a long discussion with Father Jumi, he offered us a plot of land that he owned. We gladly accepted his offer.
Before the event could run smoothly, the committee had to prepare everything. We held meetings to discuss the budget, the flow of the event, transportation, and the food we would eat. The most enjoyable part of the preparation was making the gifts. It became a memorable moment where we gathered and worked together.
Another memorable moment was when I became the bottle-cap collector. Bottle caps were used as point markers for the games, so my friend Roony and I searched for caps in every trash bin around the church. We even asked permission from one household to check their trash. In the end, we collected 60 bottle caps—thankfully enough for all participants.
The most challenging part was collecting participation fees. Although the fee was only Rp15,000, it was still difficult because there were many altar servers I had to approach. I also had to list who had paid and who hadn’t. But eventually, I managed to collect all the fees and record them properly.
The event day finally arrived. The activity began with Mass in the morning. I was surprised because it wasn’t in our schedule—we were supposed to depart early and arrive at around 8 a.m. But since Father wanted to celebrate Mass first, we had to adjust.
During the trip, I felt a bit nervous because the road was narrow and uneven. We passed wide, beautiful rice fields. We chatted, joked, and played games like ABC categories and Domikado. The joyful atmosphere made the trip feel short. We arrived at 9 a.m., an hour later than planned.
When we arrived, I immediately prepared the equipment for the activity stations. We began with a prayer and a blessing ceremony for the seedlings. Then we took our hoes and seedlings and went to the field to plant. The weather was extremely hot, but it did not lessen our enthusiasm. I managed to plant five mango seedlings. My biggest difficulty was the wet soil—it made digging much harder.
Next, we played games. I led the “blind ball” game, where participants had to catch a ball with their eyes covered, relying only on instructions from their friends. The participants were very excited, and I couldn’t stop laughing while watching them play. It was fun seeing everyone happy.
After the games, we had lunch together. We ate fried chicken and pumpkin soup while sitting on a mat spread over the grass. It felt like we were on a picnic. After eating, we prepared to return home.
This planting experience made me realize that serving with a sincere heart can be joyful. I also learned to overcome my fears of socializing and working with others.
