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Usher Guidelines |
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Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
Thank you for volunteering to be an usher! We are looking forward to welcoming parishioners to our church and you are a vital part of this ministry.
The following are the “Cliff Notes” of ushering:
Tour our new church to locate the bathrooms, water fountains, large
meeting room, daily chapel, wheelchair locations, and collection room.
Arrive 15 minutes early for ushering. Locate the lead usher and tell
them you are available to assist them. The lead usher is a “veteran”
usher and will guide you. We are not scheduling ushers but are
encouraging ushers to be available during the Mass they attend. Five
to six ushers should be utilized for each Mass.
Dress appropriately, business casual.
Ensure the collection baskets, bulletins, and any other handouts are in the proper places before Mass.
Greet people as they enter. Greet children and teens as well as adults. Consider yourself the “Welcome Wagon”!
Attend to newcomers. Introduce yourself and welcome them to the
parish. Offer newcomers directions to the drinking fountains or the
restrooms. Introduce newcomers to parish staff or parish regulars to
help them get acquainted.
The lead usher will be located in the entryway of the sanctuary. The
other ushers will position themselves at the various seating sections
of the church. The lead usher will motion to the usher how many seats
he needs and the “satellite” usher will seat the parishioners.
Observe quiet reverence while talking to people.
Select people to present the gifts before Mass (lead usher will select
a family). Instruct the family to bow after the gift offering.
Gently guide people toward the front and center of the church first.
Lead people down the aisle to a row with vacant seats. You may need to
encourage people to sit closer together and towards the middle of the
pew.
Gently offer assistance to anyone who appears to need it. Wheelchair locations are available in the first rows.
Guide disabled persons to the front of the church where communion can be brought to them.
Seat latecomers toward the back of church to avoid distracting others.
Don’t allow latecomers to take seats while the scripture is being
proclaimed, the homily is being preached, or the people are praying.
Wait until an appropriate break.
Offer assistance to parishioners when needed. Be alert to emergencies.
Maintain safety and security in the back of the church. Be aware of children that go to the bathroom and water fountains.
During the 10:00 Mass, direct children to the “Liturgy of the Word” in the daily chapel.
Take up the collection at the end of the General Intercessions after
Father says to the congregation to be seated. Pass out baskets, two
per section. Pick up baskets and place contributions in the offertory
basket for the lead usher. Two ushers will bring up collection and
place in the offertory drop (located on the right side of the altar,
around the corner).
Help keep order at communion. Encourage people to go to communion by rows (front to back).
After Mass, as needed, direct people to the parish hall for coffee or
to the appropriate areas for receptions, sign-up sheets, and other
parish business.
Open the church doors for the congregations’ departure only after the recessional has actually begun.
Pick up litter or any personal items accidentally left behind after the Mass.
Remain open to new ideas and keep looking for ways to perform your ministry more graciously and effectively.
Thanks again for being involved in YOUR church community! If you have
any questions or suggestions, please contact the church office at
447-2354.
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