USHERS St. Margaret Mary Minister Handbook Revised August 2016
2 Table of Contents The Ministry of an Usher... page 3 Preparation for Ushers... page 4 Duties at Mass... page 6 Usher Placement... page 7 Scheduling... page 8 Other Opportunities for Ushers... page 12 An Usher s Prayer... page 13 Notes... page 14 2
3 The Ministry of an Usher Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:1 The ministry of ushering is one of hospitality. As an usher, you are likely one of the first faces that guests encounter when they enter the church. A friendly expression or a simple and sincere greeting go a long way in making others feel as though they are entering a welcoming environment. We read in the gospels many stories of hospitality. The story of Mary and Martha where Mary takes the extra time to sit with Christ and listen to him, whereas Martha continues about her everyday checklist of duties. (Luke 10:38-42) We recognize the story of the woman who anoints Jesus feet with precious oil. (Luke 7:36-50) Each of these examples calls us treat our encounters with guests of our parish as opportunities to offer hospitality. As we continue to examine the ministry of ushering, let us do so with a spirit of welcoming as we recognize Jesus in all those who enter the doors of our church. Other References of Hospitality in Scripture Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. - Romans 12:13 I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. - Matthew 25:35 3
4 Preparation for Ushers Thank you, Thank you, and THANK YOU, for your willingness to serve our parish as an usher. Ushering is such an important commitment and ministry to our parish. It can be a ministry of hospitality where visitors experience a warm greeting and feeling when they enter our church. Conversely, it can cause guests to feel like outsiders during their time at St. Margaret Mary. We offer the following guide to help you with the logistics of ushering and to help us all put our best foot forward as we look to welcome others each week worship together as one community. Attitude of Stewardship The attitude of stewardship can express itself in a number of specific ways, centering upon the idea that the Usher is dependable. This person is a part of a team of Ushers, a part of the church at worship, and a part of the kingdom of God. Regularity and promptness are virtues that should be cultivated. The Usher should be at the appointed location at the appointed time. The Usher should be considerate of the worshipers and other ministries. Attire Ushers should dress in a way that helps the community put its best foot forward. Ushers can lead by example. Men should wear dress pants or khakis and a nice shirt or sweater. Jacket and tie are not required. Shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, and jeans are not considered appropriate for ushering. Women similarly should not consider jeans, tennis shoes, etc. church appropriate. Additionally, skirts may be worn, but should be modest in length. Those who offer to usher for special liturgies such as Easter, Christmas, Confirmation, etc. may be asked to coordinate with a specific color or more formal attire. Examples of this might include wearing the liturgical color red on Good Friday. 4
5 Arrival Ushers are asked to be ready and in place 30 minutes prior to their scheduled service. Give yourself enough time to arrive to church, check in to the usher room, put on an ushering nametag, etc. to be ready by 30 minutes prior to the Mass/service starting. Suggestions on Encountering Others Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word or greeting. Smile toward people. It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile. Call people by name. The sweetest music to many ears is the sound of one s own name. Be friendly and helpful. Have a genuine interest in people. People like to be noticed and appreciated. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others. 5
6 Duties at Mass 1. Arrive 30 minutes prior to Mass. From that point until the beginning of Mass, warmly be at doors to greet parishioners. Don t simply talk with those you already know, but take the opportunity to welcome those who might be new to the parish or visitors. We don t want our opening song to be All Are Welcome if that isn t the impression we give at the doors. 2. If the church starts to really fill up, be able to help guests find seats. This probably won t be an issue on normal Sunday Masses, but on special feast days, your ushering team might come up with a strategy for helping guests find their seats. 3. Ask a family or group to bring up the gifts. Note this on a paper provided in the usher s room. 4. Ten minutes prior to Mass starting one usher needs to be responsible for ringing the bells. Decide who will be responsible for this duty before you are set in place to welcome people. 5. After the Universal Prayer take up the collection. It looks great when ushers have practiced walking in together and bowing together. Ushers pick up a collection basket, walk up the center aisle (or side aisles) and perform a slight head bow towards the altar, then continue to proceed backwards taking up the collection. Each Usher will be responsible for one section of pews in the church. 6. Coordinate the Communion procession after the Eucharistic Ministers have received communion, ushers will come forward and bow (again, if all ushers can coordinate this together, it looks really nice!). They then proceed to let each row out for communion. Please do NOT force people to go up for communion. Some guests may not be Catholic or may not feel ready to receive communion. No one should feel forced into receiving communion. 7. If there is a second collection, Fr. Mike will announce when to come forward. This will take place after communion as the vessels are finished being cleaned. Second collections will be communicated with the Ushers prior to Mass. 8. Distribute Bulletins after Mass. Wish people a good evening or day. Continue with the idea of hospitality. 6
7 Usher Placement Ushers A & B are considered the two North Wing Ushers Ushers C & D are considered Center Ushers Usher E is the Choir Wing Usher and is responsible for the children s room as well. Note: If there are only four scheduled Ushers, Usher D may also take area E when coming up the aisle on the right side. 7
8 Scheduling At St. Margaret Mary, we use a web-based scheduling program that is monitored by our Director of Liturgy and Worship, but allows volunteers to access and manage their own scheduling needs and preferences. The following pages will highlight features of that program. Although this system helps convenience, we do ask that if you are scheduled you do your best to show up. Please check the schedule, especially if you know you will be attending a particular Mass to see if subs are needed. Online sub requests will not be permitted 36 hours prior to Mass. If a sub is needed within 36 hours, it will be the duty of the volunteer to contact someone in their ministry to take his/her place. Contact information can be found under the roster tab in the scheduling program. 8
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12 Other Opportunities for Ushers Continued Usher Training Sessions/Meetings Advanced Care Directive Contact Margie Weiss, our parish nurse for more information. CPR Certification Class AED Instruction Emergency Procedures Information Any questions or concerns regarding ushering should be directed to Justin Krueger, Director of Liturgy and Worship by telephone (920) 729-4560 or by email, jkrueger@smcatholicschools.org Thank you for your service to St. Margaret Mary Parish, we hope that you will find your ministry rewarding as you offer your time and talent to our parish community. 12
13 An Usher s Prayer Lord, in your love you gather your people this day, help me to serve them in a Christ-like manner, even as your Son Jesus served those who gathered about Him. Make me prayerful, patient, helpful, and understanding, and may I radiate the joy that faith brings as I serve their needs. Give me your strength to support my fellow ministers. May all who assemble to celebrate our common faith in the Risen Savior be glad of heart for being here and for having encountered your Son in one another, in our priest, at the tables of the book and the bread, and through the ministry of ushers like me. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen. 13
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