MINISTRY OF HOSPITALITY: CHURCH GREETERS AND USHERS

 

I.                   Meaning of Ministry in the Church

 

Ministry comes from the Latin word “ministerium” which means service. In a general way, therefore, we can define a minister as one who is a servant of others or who is of help to someone else. Thus we can describe a minister in the Church as a baptized who is of help to others in a church-or faith-related activity.

 

The ministry in the church is always a public ministry, done for the Church and in the name of the church. Because of this public character every minister, before taking up his service in the community of the faithful, should be presented to the local church where he is going to serve, so that they can accept him and pray for and over him.

 

Baptism indicates the basis of every church ministry. In the sacrament of baptism one is commissioned to be of help to others. This is not only his right but also his duty. By baptism, he becomes associated to Christ who came to serve and not to be served. Therefore, his followers must also be of service to others.

 

The capability to extend help presupposes some natural talents which can be considered as signs of being called to a particular ministry. These talents are to be developed through training programs and on-going formation.

 

II.                Ministry of Ushers: Liturgical Greeters and Ushers

 

Ushers are ministers of hospitality who play a key role in the living Body of Christ as the first contact believers have with the assembly when they arrive for Mass. How Ushers greet and welcome both newcomers and longtime parishioners makes a world of difference in how people prepare for the liturgy about to take place.

 

The hospitality that Ushers show in helping people find a seat, in collecting the gifts of money or in guiding the Communion procession must reflect the idea that the Church is our home. We are all members of the family of God, but at the same time we are all guests of God who calls us here. Ushers should come to Mass early to see that things are ready, to receive any special instruction.

 

The ushers of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, are a group of volunteer men and women who serve as ministers of hospitality during Mass on Sundays, Holy days, Novena Masses and special occasions, like Weddings. The ushers strive to insure the solemnity and tranquility of the liturgies. To accomplish this, their duties include:

 

1)     Greeting and welcoming parishioners and visitors

2)     Providing assistance in seating the congregation at masses and other liturgical functions

3)     Conducting the collections during Mass

4)     Directing the presentation of the offertory gifts

5)     Directing the congregation during Communion

6)     Providing assistance in checking for articles left behind and for litter in the seat and on the floor.

 

III.             Guidelines and Practical Suggestions

 

Before Mass Information

• On the day you are assigned to serve as an usher, it is appropriate and a good practice to develop the habit of taking time to prepare for your service with quiet prayer and if possible, a reflective reading of Scripture.

• Plan on arriving in a timely manner for the Mass at which you are scheduled to serve, according to the dictates of the particular Mass for which you are ushering. For example: the 7:O0 AM Mass on Sunday mornings requires you to be present at least by 6:45 AM, if not earlier.

• Wear your Usher Badge so that it is visible to all those coming to worship. Be at your best. Look pleasant.

• Make your first word a word of welcome.

• Put collection baskets in place. See that the “gift table” is prepared and in place.

 

 At Mass Information

• Once Mass begins, it is inappropriate to be carrying on a conversation unrelated to the action of the Mass. Your full participation in the Mass is expected so that you are joining in the singing, listening attentively to the Word of God, extending a Peace greeting and showing by your entire demeanor that you are fully engaged in the Mass at which you are present. It is understood that there will be times when it is necessary for you to interact with members of the Assembly arriving late. This interaction should be short and pleasant.

• It is important that you know the appropriate time to seat latecomers so you can communicate this to those arriving late. Liturgical guidelines indicate it is inappropriate to seat latecomers during the opening prayer, while the Word of God is being proclaimed, during the Homily or the Prayers of the Faithful. Please ask people to remain quietly at the rear of the Church until an acceptable time to be seated occurs; e.g., after the opening prayer, during the Psalm response, or after the homily.

• Remember to always treat those who are late with reverence and respect; it is not your place to judge, but to be of service

• Movement always attracts attention, and nothing the usher does should ever distract from prayer and the proclamation of the Word of God.

• Handle unsupervised children gently, tactfully. They are people, too. Yet they cannot be allowed to wander in and out to the disturbance of the assembly.

• Reminders regarding the following should be given tactfully and respectfully:

  • Hats are not worn inside the church.

  • Eating and drinking are to be done outside the church.

  • Trash cans are provided outside the church.

• When you lead people up the aisle, walk slowly or you will lose them. Do not merely point to a seat, but lead people there personally.

• Do not forget that you are also part of the community at worship. The ushers should have a place. It should be furnished so that they readily assume the postures of the assembly throughout the liturgy. 

• The COLLECTION

• After the creed, gather in the rear of the church and there participate in the general intercessions.

• As people are being seated after the general intercessions, take the collection baskets and begin the collection immediately. The spirit of hospitality demands that people should not feel they are being rushed, but do not waste time. Never embarrass anyone.

• While the collection is being gathered, one usher, left free for the purpose, should see that the gift bearers are ready for the procession.

• When the collection has been done, the baskets should be put by the side of the church where the collection baskets are kept. They are not to be presented nor deposited at the altar.

• Only a genuine emergency should draw an usher from his/her place during the Eucharistic Prayer.

• Actual need should be the criterion for the ushers’ involvement in the communion procession. If directions have to be given, this should be done with warmth and gentleness as ministers of hospitality, especially at the Lord’s Table.

• The imperative gestures or stance of a traffic cop are always out of order. Never touch anyone, unless it is with the helping hand that gives needed assistance.

• During communion, ushers should take note of the following:

• They should properly show to the communicants the appropriate gestures in receiving communion, i.e., hands folded, and in case of communion by hand, left over right.

• They should see to it that the sacred host is consumed by the communicant as soon as he/she receives it.

• They should see to it that only children who have already received their First Communion be allowed to take communion.

• Let the elderly or the disable break in the line, if possible, for them to receive communion first.

 

After Mass Information

• Remain in your places during the prayer after communion and any announcements.
• Once the Assembly has left the celebration, the worship space needs to be cleaned up. You should assist in straightening up the pew areas by picking up what may be left behind in the pews. In general, see that all is in good order for the next celebration.