|
I.
Introduction:
To
be in ministry is to serve the Lord and His people --- it is a privilege,
not a right! A Minister of
Hospitality serves God and God’s people at Mass by welcoming everyone
into church.
Your part
in this ministry helps set the tone for all who take part in the
Mass.
What you do and how you do it can help other people understand that you
are proud to serve and encourages others to be actively involved.
You are the first face
to be encountered as people arrive. Welcome
each person as if Christ himself were walking in the door.
You are
asked to take this ministry seriously and to realize that it is done as a
response to God’s call to service in the church. As
a minister of hospitality you will be a positive presence within this
parish.
II.
Expectations
before Mass:
A.
Arrive at Church 15
minutes before
Mass begins. Sign in and wear
a badge. Let
other ushers know you are serving on that day. Find other ministers
if those scheduled have not arrived. Attendance is monitored, and
excessive absences will lead us to ask you to reconsider serving in this
ministry. Be attentive
to the noise level in the lobby, as parishioners are praying in church.
B.
Maintain a spirit of appropriate reverence. This reverence
is shown by your demeanor, your manner and your dress. Therefore, you
should be appropriately dressed whenever you are scheduled to serve. Sweat
pants, sweat shirts, t-shirts, jeans, shorts, sneakers, flip flops,
uncovered shoulders, etc. are not considered appropriate. Exceptions may
be allowed if you are filling in without advanced notice and no other
ministers are available.
C.
Make
sure the collection baskets and bags are in place. If two sets of
bags are out that means there will be two collections. Keep
the door to the Lobby Meeting Room closed at all times.
Keep the inner Church doors closed. This will allow people to pray
because the lobby can be noisy.
D.
Greet
people in a friendly manner and welcome everyone. Be
attentive to your duties and avoid engaging in conversations that take
your attention away from your ministry.
Introduce yourself to newcomers.
Be ready to offer assistance to people who may appear to
need it.
(Elderly, adults with kids, persons with disabilities - make sure
you give them room to refuse help.)
E.
The Usher Captain should select a family or individuals to
present the gifts. Offer
to signal to them when the time comes. Please note that some times
first Eucharist children and families may have been scheduled to bring up
the gifts, the schedule should be in the lobby meeting room.
If the scheduled gift bearers do not arrive and identify themselves
5 minutes prior to the start of Mass, you must select other parishioners
for this task.
F.
Observe
sacred silence. Be courteous
at all times. Gently guide
people to sit towards the front of the church first.
Should it start to get too crowded, invite people to move into the
pew to make room for others to be seated.
Take the initiative to lead people to open seats if seating gets
sparse. Guide those who need
your assistance. Remember that
there are designated areas for wheelchairs.
There may also be persons who need to be close so that Communion
can be easily brought to them.
G.
When the bells ring open the center doors and wait for the
procession to begin. As soon
as all members of the procession are inside the church close center doors.
Late comers should use the side doors to enter the church.
Those leaving the church prior to the end of the procession should
exit the church through the side doors.
Complete
Guidelines |
