CHAPTER III:

Research Methodology

Introduction

This research aims to explore the personal and spiritual

experiences of altar servers at Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in

Amlan. Altar serving is a significant role within the Catholic Church,

often involving individuals who assist in the liturgical services. By

focusing on their daily responsibilities, challenges, and the spiritual

growth they experience, this study seeks to understand how serving

at the altar shapes their lives. Through interviews and questionnaire,

we hope to uncover the unique stories and perspectives of these altar

servers.

Research Design

This study utilizes a qualitative phenomenological research

design to explore the lived experiences of altar servers in Saint

Andrew the Apostle Parish, Amlan. The phenomenological approach

aims to understand and describe the personal and shared

experiences of altar servers, focusing on their roles, challenges, and

the meaning they attach to their service. Data will be gathered

through in-depth interviews, allowing participants to share their

stories and perspectives openly. The study explores participants'

experiences and their growth in spirituality, social life, and personal

development while serving in the parish.

20
 Research Environment

The researchers will be using a set of questions for interviews.

These questions are not strict, but give the researchers an idea about

what life is like for altar servers at Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish.

The researchers will ask them about why they wanted to become an

altar servers, what positive experiences have they had and

challenges they faced at Saint Andrew The Apostle Parish-Amlan.

The questions are designed to help the researchers understand their

experiences better and allow them to share their thoughts and

feelings with the researchers .

Research Respondents

A total of 15 Altar Servers Respondence of Saint Andrew The

Apostle Parish-Amlan were the target respondence of the Study. The

researchers used purposive sampling because the researchers had

pick ther research respondents. They answered the questionnaires

that we gave them which supplies the information we need.

Research Instrument

In this study, questionnaires was used as the main data

gathering instrument. A semi structured interview was used in this

study which consists of open –ended questions. As for open– ended

questions,it was asked of what are their experiences that they get

from serving the ministry participation in the study was voluntary,

and they were informed about the study 's academic purpose. Only

21
the researchers have access to the research data, ensuring

confidentiality.

Data Collection Technique

In this research, answers will be gathered by collecting and

analyzing data from personal interviews. Fifteen respondents from

Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish will be selected to share their

experiences and challenges as altar servers. Participants will be

informed that researchers will ask for information to help with the

study. They will also be notified that their privacy will be protected

unless they allow the researchers to reveal their names. Semi-

structured interviews will be used to collect data. This method allows

the researchers to ask set questions while also exploring new topics

that come up during the conversation.

Sampling Design

For this study, the researchers will use a sampling design

called "purposive sampling." The researchers will specifically select

participants who are altar servers at Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish

because they have direct experience with the research topic. By

choosing these participants, the researchers aim to gather important

and relevant information about their experiences as altar servers.

This approach will help the researchers gain valuable insights to

better understand their role in the church.

22
 Ethical Consideration

The researchers sent a permission letter to their Practical

Research Teacher then he approved the letter. The researchers

proceed to the principal's office at the Senior High School

Department and Amlan National High School – Junior High. The

researchers sent a permission letter also so that the researchers can

conduct with their research study. The Researchers subsequently

proceeds floating the questionnaires to the respondents of the said

study after the requested letter was being approved. Thus, the

researchers looked forward on the honesty and truthfulness of the

respondents in assessing the lived experiences of Altar Server in

Saint Andrew The Apostle Parish. The confidentiality and personal

information of the respondents was secured and maintained to

protect their privacy that has been given. Hence, the purpose and

intention of this research study is informed to the respondents.

23
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

In this section, the researchers analyzed and interpreted the data from the 15
questionnaires answered by the selective students to show or illustrate their
different perspectives and their Lived Experiences of Altar servers in Saint
Andrew The Apostle Parish. The data that is presented in this section was
arranged based on the problems treated in this study.

TABLE 1
Motivation and Spiritual Closeness in Altar Servers

1. Why did you decide to be an altar server at Saint Andrew the Apostle
Parish?

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Because I want to serve

God and I want to follow
the cammandment of God.

R2. I decided to be part of

the atar server as a lectures
because I want to serve God
and I want to be closer to
God even I am not a perfect Motivation to
Commitment
christian girl. Serve and
to Faith and
Spiritual
Service
Closeness
R3. Kanang ni apil ko ug I joined as an altar
sakristan kay ganahan ko server because I
mo serve sa Ginoo ug para want to serve God
ma buotan. and be good.

R4. I decided to be an altar

server in saint andrew the
apostle parish because I

24
want to be saved and serve
in the name of God. I want
to be of help, I want to serve
the Lord.
R5. I decided to serve in
saint andrew the apostle
parish because I ant to be
close to Him and I want to
worship Him to be my
companion in every step I
make.

R6. Because of the surplice

and the cassock I like the
history of the church and
traditions.

R7. Ganahan ko mo apil

sakristan kay ganahan ko I want to join as an
serve sa lord ug para ma altar server
buotan. because I want to
serve the Lord and
be good.
R8. Ni apil ko pagka altar
serverpara ma langit ko og
para maka duol ko sa
I joined as an altar
Ginoo.
server to go to
heaven and get
R9. Because I want to get closer to God.
closer to God and to serve
Him in my whole life.

R10. Ni apil ko pagka PYC

or server sa simbahan kay I joined as a PYC or
gusto ko mo alagad sa church server
Ginoo and mo kuha og because I want to
husto ang salig sa Ginoo serve God and gain
His full trust.

R11. Ako ay isang sakristan

at gustong maka serbisyo I am an altar server
sa panginoon. and I want to serve
the Lord.
R12. Because I want to be
closer to God.

25
R13. Because I want to To get closer to
serve God, para mapalapit God, and when I
ang aking lood sa Diyos at learn, I will share
kapag natoto ako my knowledge with
ipamamahagi ko ang aking others who do not
nilalaman sa kapwa at yet understand the
hindi pa alam sa kong ano words of the Bible.
ang ibig sabihim ng mga
salitang Bible

R14. Because I want to get

closer to God and have
more faith in Him, and I get
to trust him in everything

R15. I decided to be an
altar server in St. andrew
the apostle parish because I
was inspired by others who
already served the lord.
Also because I am a sinner,
and I want to become a
better person that God
wants me to be.

26
 TABLE 2

Experiences and Motivations of Altar Servers

2. what positive experiences have you had as an altar server at Saint

Andrew the Apostle Parish in terms of;
2.1 SERVING

VERBATIM TRANSLATIONS CODE THEME

R1. Sometimes i feel

happy and sad.

R2. Serving God’s is such a

blessing because I’m
repaying all the kindness
that god had give me and
which i really appreciate
the most cause i really
want to repay God for all
the good thing he have
given me and i take this
opportunity to be closer to
God.
Experiences
Spiritual
and
R3. Na buotan ko ug I became good and Growth
Motivations
nalipay ko kay akong happy because my and
of Altar
manga sala naluwas. sins were forgivin. Service
Servers
R4. I got praised by
Monsineur Bohol because
the way i serve is good.

R5. Every time i served,

my confidence is boosted
to face many people.

R6. I have experiences a

lot of tradition in the
church.

R7. nausob ako I changed myself.

kaugalingon.
27
 My good experience
R8. Ang mga maayo na is the Simbang Gabi.
experience kay ang
simbang gabi.

R9. I experience the real

brotherhood and a
memorable moments .
Using the sibot and
R10. Ang paggamit sa having faith in God
sibot ug ang pag salig sa and strengthening
ginoo ug palig isa sa mga the bond among
isig ka pyc. fellow PYC members.
I learned a lot from
R11. marami akong serving our Lord.
natunan sapag serbisyo sa
ating panginoon.
My experience there
R12. Akong na experience includes eating
didto kay ug nay kaon mo together, being
kaon tas happy kay mi happy, sometimes
didto usahay magul- anon being sad, and
tas daghan kong learning a lot about
nakatunan kabahin sa God while I serve.
ginoo while ga serve ko.
For me, the positive
R13. para sa akin ang experience as an
positibo na naranasan ko altar server is
bilang server sa altar ay decorating the
ang pagdecorate ng pera money, no matter the
kahit anong halaga dahil at amount, because in
pag decorate ng maliit o God's eyes, even a
malaking pera sa diyos small amount is big.
ang pera sa kanya malaki The positive thing is
na ito, kaya ang positibo that I decorate with
rito nag de decorate ako whatever I have
na kung ano ang meron because I know it has
ako dahil alam kong been rewarded with
nasuklian ako ng mas a more abundant life,
malawak na pamumuhay including my family
at pati narin ang pamilya and friends.
at kaibigan ko.

R14. whenever i serve, i

never got anxious.

28
R15. the praise i
experiences as an altar
server at St. Andrew the
apostle parish in terms of
serving is that i grow as
someone close to god, and
as a role model to this
generation.

29
 TABLE 3
Positive Experiences and Personal Growth through Church Activities

2. what positive experiences have you had as an altar server at Saint

Andrew the Apostle Parish in terms of;
2.2 Activites

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Nag outing mi We went on an

kuyog ang mga Youth. outing with the
youth.
R2. The activities was
very fun and I made a
lot of friends and learn a
lot during the activities.

R3. Kanang maka kuha

ka ug maayu na pulong You receive good
sa ginoo. words from God.

R4. I met so many kind

and good people during
Positive Joy and
activities or I learned so
Experiences Development
many things while
and Personal through
participating.
Growth of Church
Altar Servers Activities
R5. In activities I do
have a lot of friends and
have more knowledge
in terms of serving His
holy name.

R6. Situkihuk
Recollection/ meeting
practice

R7. Simbang gabi

R8. Easter Vigil og Black

Saturday

30
R9. Easter Vigil, in
easter vigil I
experienced the
sacrifice of sleeping.

R10. After 2nd mass is After the second

mag situkihok and mag mass, we have a
share sa osag osa. "situkihok" and
share with each
R11. Daghan kong other.
nakat-unan ug enjoy ko I learned a lot and
sa mga event sa enjoyed the church
simbahan. events.

R12. Daghan kong

nakat-unan ug na enjoy I learned a lot and
ko sa mga event sa enjoyed the church
simbahan. events.

R13. Para saakin,

Masaya ako sa For me, I am happy
ginagawa ko sa with what I do in
simbahan at masaya the church and I am
ako mag silbe para sa happy to serve the
Panginoon at hindi ko Lord. I don't
Hindi ko inireklamo complain because
kasi binigyan tayo ng the Lord gave us
Panginoon ng kamay at hands and feet to
paa para mag silbe, at sa serve, and in this
paraan nayon way, I show respect
naipapakita ko ang to God by attending
respito sa Dios sa church and
pagdalo ng mga Simba o participating in
anumang activities sa activities.
simbahan.

R14. I don't get bored

and I get to meet other
people.

R15. I had fun joining

activities in the Church
like situkihuk,
recollection, joining
DYCC, I also joining
different activities
outside the Church.

31
 TABLE 4
Enjoyment and Learning through Church Activities

2. what positive experiences have you had as an altar server at Saint

Andrew the Apostle Parish in terms of;
2.3 Events

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Nalipay ko pag-ayo I was very happy

kay first time ko ni apil because it was my
ng sinulog. first time joining
the Sinulog.
R2. DYMC I met a lot of
people and a new
friends from different
places even in short
time we bond, and we
really had the great time
and we all enjoy it.

Enjoyment
R3. Happy kay ko I am happy
and Social Fellowship
daghan kaayo ko makat- because I learn a
Connections and Fun in
unan sa mga events. lot from the
through Church
events.
Church Participation
R4. I learned so many
Activities
things especially when
theirs a visitors from
other place to tell their
experience when
serving God.

R5. In every events

happen, you have fun
because you get
together and meet new
friends.

R6. Christ the king, feast

of saint Andrew,

32
simbang gabi, sinulog
festival.

R7. Meeting
I served the
R8. Naka serve ni bishop, which was
bishop sauna my long-time
pangandoy nako sauna. dream.

R9. In parish day I

experienced to use and
to bring thurible in front
of many people for yhe
first time.
Participating in
R10. Ang pag apil sa dances and other
mga sayaw o mga uban activities.
pang buluhaton.
Parish day, I ate
R11. Parish day, and got full.
nakaka-on og nabusog.
Parish day, we ate.
R12. Parish day, nag Sinulog, we
kaon kaon. Sinulog, nag enjoyed dancing.
enjoy ug sayaw.

R13. We're having from

going some activities
with my youth friends.

R14. I get to see people

and have fun like we,
while serving God.

R15. The positive

experienced i had in
serving the st. Andrew
the apostle parish in
times of events like
upcoming
season(advent season),
Is that i canbe able to
socialize different
individuals during the
events.

33
 TABLE 5
Overcoming Challenges and Gaining Skills in Altar Service

3. What challenges have you faced as an altar server at Saint Andrew the
Apostle Parish in terms of;
3.1 Serving

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Katung first time The first time I

nako ni serve nakulbaan served, I was
ko. nervous.

R2. The challenges that i

faced during serving is
Im not informed that
there are no mass that
time and i wake up 4.00
Am in the morning to
prepared but turns out
theres no mass.

R3. kanang dili pa kaayo Not knowing well Challenges

ka kabalo mo serve. how to serve. and
Learning Overcoming
R4. I find kinda happy Experiences Difficulties
where i serve and lock of of Altar and Gaining
money to use so that i Servers Skills
can serve.

R5. when u entered as

an server, first i
distinguished myself
from other server
because it was my first
time to serve and also i
distinguished time
schedule.

R6. You must be

respectful for each other
and you must be
thankful for what you
34
have in serving the
others have some a lot
of mistakes in the altar
but these mistakes well
learn you from what you
do.
Nervous when facing
R7. kulba kay kanang the Monsignor
mo face kong monsi kay because I get
makulbaan ko. nervous.

R8. Ang naka challenge The challenge for me

nako kay ang pass niño was the Pass Niño
kay daghan ng na because many
memories na nahitabo memorable things
og maulawan pud mi happened and we
ato. were embarrassed.
In serving, the
R9. In serving, the challenges I
challenges i experience experience are
is to have a mistake and making mistakes and
kasaba to monse. getting scolded by
the Monsignor.
R10. ang pag atubang sa Facing people in a
mga tawo sa pamaagi sa way that causes
pag pakaulaw. embarrassment.
Felt sleepy while
R11. gi duka while ga serving.
serve. Felt sleepy while
serving because I
R12. gi duka while ga woke up early.
serve kay sayong ni
mata. I was nervous about
dancing in the
R13. nangulba ko atong Sinulog because it
sayaw sa sinulog kay was my first time.
first time nako.

R14. as a collector i get

anxious while walking
to the altar.

R15. First and Foremost

when it comes to time
management where
most of as cant follow
our schedule time which
leads to few servers for
mass, making things
35
 which difficult to
handle.

TABLE 6
Factors Affecting Participation and Experiences of Altar Servers

3. What challenges have you faced as an altar server at Saint Andrew the
Apostle Parish in terms of;
3.2 Activities

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Nangulba ko I was frightened

katung last last December
December katung when we danced at
nanayaw mi sa the Misa de Gallo
Misa de Gallo ug sa and the night mass
simbahang gabi because there
tungod kay daghan were many people
kaayong tawo na pushing.
nanglanyaw
R2. I'm not
participating
because of busy
schedule's because
school works
When you don't
R3. Kanang dili ka
know how to
kabalo mo share
share. Challenges faced
R4. Sometimes I'm during
so lazy on its just participation in
that I have so many religious Overall
things to do that I activities due to participation
don't have enough personal, experiences of
time to participate emotional, and altar servers
in activities logistical factors
R5. In terms of
activities you need
36
to sacrifice because
you decide to
entered as an
servers so in every
activities you need
to cooperate
R6. Still learning
how to do the
Rosary and learn
how to read the
Bible and some
hard activities.
R7. Mo mata kug
Sayo
R8. Kay katong I wake up early.
naka sab an kung
monsi
Because I was
R9. Nalisodan sa scolded by Monsi.
pag share sa mga
kasinatian sa Having difficulty
situkihuk sharing
experiences in
R10. Sa pag dili small group
maka apil sa mga discussions.
dapat apilan
Unable to join the
R11. Kapoy activities that
R12. Kapoy should be joined.

R13. First serve Tired.

nako atong last Tired.
December, atong
mesa degalyo My first service
was last December,
R14. None so far at the Misa de Gallo
R15. When it's lack
of cooperation,
where things won't
go as what
everyone expected,
especially when it
comes to big
activities such
preparations for
37
the fiesta, which
also contains
misunderstandings

TABLE 7
Altar Servers' Participation: Challenges and Personal Experiences

3. What challenges have you faced as an altar server at Saint Andrew the
Apostle Parish in terms of;
3.3 Events

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Ulaw kay ko I was embarrassed

katung sa New year's on New Year's Eve
eve katung time na when we ate at the
mangaon namu sa convent because
convent niya daghan there were so many
kaayong tawo. people.
R2. Dymc, sinulog,
Simbang gabi The
challenges I've faced
the during dycc is
lack of sleep and the Impact on
food is really goving Common Altar Servers'
and delicious. The Challenges in Engagement
challenges I've faced Altar Service and
during sinulog was Performance
very challenging and
exhausting most of
the 10 dancers
fainted during the
street dance cause
by extreme heat.
Lastly the simbang
gabi challenges was i
dont have any
vehicles to hatud²
me in the church and
38
it not giving cause When you don't
I'm late na and the know how to serve
mass is almost during events
starting.
R3. Kanang dli ka
kabalo mo serve ug
mga events.
R4. I'm kinda shy so
I find embarrassing
to tell to people.
R5. The same in
activities.

R6. Christ the king It's tiring to go.

when we argued
who will burn When I rang the bell
charcoal for incenso suddenly during the
argued al all lot mass.
because of the The incense didn't
events but luckily have coals
monse didn't get
angry. Sometimes I can't
join Simbang Gabi
R7. Kapoy ug adto because I have to go
R8. Katong ni bell somewhere or I'm
rakog kalit sa mass on vacation.
Tired.

R9. Walay baga ang Tired.

insenso.
R10. Simbang gabi
usahay dili maka apil
kay naay lakwon or
bakasyon.

R11. Kapoy.
R12. Kapoy Parish
day.
R14. None so far.

39
R15. Having events
in the church needs
time to practice, to
avoid unnecessary
movements
especially during
masses that gives
servers a pressure to
be active during big
events

40
 TABLE 8
Managing Commitments and Challenges Faced by Altar Servers

3. What challenges have you faced as an altar server at Saint Andrew the
Apostle Parish in terms of;
3.4 Time

VERBATIM TRANSLATION CODE THEME

R1. Usahay kay Sometimes I

gabie na kayko mauli come home very
tungod sa dugay late because
mahuman ang practice finishes
practice and kanang late, and I don't
sa akong tulog kay get enough sleep
kulang-kulang kog
because I wake
tulog kay mo mata
up early and sleep
ug sayu sa kadlawon
nya dugay kaayo late, so I only get a
matug pagkagabie few hours of
maong pila ra ka sleep. Thank you!
oras Ako tulog. Time Balancing
Salamat! Management Responsibilities
Challenges for and Commitments
R2. The challenge Altar Servers in Altar Service
that I faced in terms
is I need to divide my
schedule just to
participate school
activities and church
activities which is
very challenging but
I can managed
because I will still
make room for God
and my school
works.

41
R3. Dapat unahon I should prioritize
nako ang ginoo bisag God even when
naa tay mga lakaw . we have other
appointments.
R4. Yes time
considering that
their so many things
we need to do before
the deadline in
school. When I have
a free time or I don't
have anything else to
do, I always go to
church and serve.

R5. I also adjusted

my time because of
the school works
and everything.

R6. It's hard to think

that life as an altar
server has a lot of
challenges when I
was late for class
because I was
serving daily mass
their was a wedding
in 6:00 and that time
I was scared because
to think that I'm
going to be expelled
for class being late
looking the teacher
was late when your
and altar server you
must be precise on
your schedule you
need to balance
going to school and
My time is
being at the church.
divided between
R7. Matunga akong serving, studying,
time sa pag serve , and training.
eskwela ug training When I was
R8. Katong ga gama
making a project
ug project dayon
and couldn't
wala ko ka apil ug
meeting
42
 attend the
R9. Kalisod sa time meeting.
kay usahay dili ko
maka apil ug Difficulty with
meeting tungod kay time because
naay daghang group sometimes I can't
project attend meetings
due to many
group projects.
R10. Kulang ang
time sapag serbisyo Lack of time for
kay usahay busy din service because
usahay naay balatian sometimes I'm
, pero bisan ug naa sa busy or
balay di jod ta dapat sometimes sick,
mawad an ug oras but even at home,
para sa ginoo we shouldn't lose
time for God.
R11. Paghunahuna
sa mga buluhaton sa Thinking about
simbahan ug the tasks for the
eskwelahan church and
school.
R12. Paghunahuna
sa akong pag Thinking about
eskwela my studies.

R13. Lack of sleep

R14. I have problem

arranging my time
doing school works,
and sometimes I get
late because
sometimes there is
no trycycle.

R15. When it comes

to time each and
everyone has
different schedules
doing their personal
responsibilities
that's why most of
the time we can't
allign our schedule
and can't avoid
misunderstanding

43
when scheduling is
the main topic

44