Experience Serving in the Church
Orientation
Hello friends, do you know what Saint Mary Ways is? For those who haven't heard of it, Saint Mary Ways (SMW) is a special program at SMP Santa Maria Bandung. This program is designed to help us as students fulfill our co-curricular requirements while simultaneously practicing the values taught by Mother Mary in our daily lives. Through this activity, we are encouraged to learn not only through theory in the classroom but also through direct experience in the field. This is expected to foster students' sense of caring, empathy, and a willingness to serve others.
Events
During every Mass I served, I noticed the warm smiles of the people who attended, reflecting sincerity and devotion. I listened to the choir singing beautifully, creating an atmosphere that felt peaceful and full of gratitude. In my heart, I felt a sense of warmth and serenity as I served as an acolyte.
On Sunday Mass, I carried the cross during the entrance procession and helped prepare the second offering. On the Daily Masses, I was assigned to bring the first and second offerings. Even though the tasks seemed small, they had important liturgical roles, and I tried to perform each one with care and responsibility.
Through this experience, I learned the values of Mary—especially service and faithfulness. Serving at the altar helped me understand what it means to give my time, energy, and heart to God, just as Mary did with humility and love. I also felt God’s presence in many ways: through the peace in my heart, the smiles of the congregation, and the choir’s uplifting songs that made the Mass feel sacred and alive.
Reorientation
From this journey, I discovered that I am capable of offering meaningful service to the Church. I learned to be more disciplined, responsible, and willing to take part in the liturgy. Serving God brought me a unique joy that strengthened my faith. After these experiences, I want to continue serving in my daily life by joining more church activities, such as the choir, altar server ministry, or youth group. Through serving, I feel closer to God and continue to grow as a person.





