Guidelines of Ushering
Our role as ushers in today’s church community is more important than ever before since the church is now more aware of hospitality as the celebration of the Eucharist, which we call the Mass. We are called ministers of hospitality because we serve the community of St. Andrew’s by:
Welcoming and creating an atmosphere of friendliness and love that makes each person feel comfortable and accepted. This is done by introducing yourself to each person you meet and seat, as well as introducing the people you seat to others seated around them, in an effort to promote the ministry of hospitality each member of the assembly should participate in.
The first usher to arrive at the church should be positioned at the front door to welcome and extend our hospitality to all. A cordial greeting should be extended, and, if possible, address them by name.
Certain areas have been provided for the handicapped such as those in wheelchairs, so be alert to assist and direct them to these areas.
Seating of late comers should be done in such a manner as not to distract the Presider, the lector, or the rest of the community. Seating during the Liturgy of the Word should be done as follows:
After the first reading, Before the responsorial psalm
After the responsorial psalm, Before the second reading
After the second reading , Before the gospel acclamation
After the gospel, Before the Homily
Basically, whenever the lector, cantor or Presider are proclaiming the Word, please wait until they’re finished to seat late comers. Also, be aware of available seats and, if possible, try to arrange for several groups of seats for those with large families that arrive late.
Be alert to the needs of the other ministries that may need our assistance. There are times the altar servers, eucharistic ministers or choir may need our help.
Be sensitive, treat all worshippers with tact. If ushers need to speak to each other, it should be done in a whisper.
Listen to the Word during all the readings, especially the Gospel.
Ushers should meet in the center aisle for procession to the altar prior to the collection.
The lead usher should meet the selected family and hand them the bread and wine to present to the Presider. The following items will be placed on the small table by the baptism font at the rear of the church: Flask of Wine, Flask of Water, ciborium (round bowl like container filled with hosts), chalice with celebrants host, communion plate and cloth, second covered chalice filled with hosts.
The family presenting the gifts should present the water and wine first, followed by those carrying the chalice and ciborium.
After the collection has been taken, one usher should take the large basket with all the envelopes to the altar. If the Presider does not come down for it, place the basket under the alter. Either bow or genuflect prior to descending the stairs at the alter.
Take an active part during the entire Mass unless conducting usher’s activities so that the community sees and hears their ushers praying, singing, and participating with the whole community. If conversation is necessary during Mass, whether with members of the assembly or other ushers, it should be done in a whisper.
Taking the collection should be done with reverence and treated as part of the participation in the Mass.
Joining hands at the Lord’s Prayer with the community by either going into the aisle that you are serving or with fellow ushers.
Share the sign of peace with as many people in your area as possible, including those standing against the wall.
Direct the Eucharistic Ministers to those that cannot receive communion by walking in the procession, the conduct the regular communion procession in an organized manner. Check to see if the Eucharistic Ministers are needed in another section after completing your area. The usher should be the last person in line to receive communion in order to guide all the people in the communion procession.
After communion, the head usher is to proceed to the front of the church to secure the collection after the Presider leaves the church.
All remaining ushers are to distribute the bulletins at all the doors two ushers are always to be at each of the main exit doors.
Always be available to assist anyone that requires special attention in a courteous manner.
Remember we are Ministers of hospitality: Smile, be friendly and pleasant.
Contact the Mass Lead upon you arrival at Mass to see if your are needed to serve regardless of which mass you attend.
It is the responsibility of the Lead usher to see that all positions are filled even if this means choosing someone from the assembly to help.
If you see that help is needed at any service, please volunteer to help. This includes Holy Days, any service or church event.
Be courteous, but do not open the doors for anyone until the Presider has exited. Greet everyone as you pass out the bulletins to each family.
Return all unused bulletins to the holding area and check the church for clean up so the next service can begin with a clean area.
Take your badges home with you and return on your next scheduled time with them.
After the 11:30 mass, additional help will be needed to bring in the donation boxes and other necessary tables, etc.
Do not attempt to move the victim if there appears to be doubt as to what is wrong with him/her.
Inquire if a doctor or nurse is in attendance at Mass by quietly asking the Presider to question the community.
One usher should be prepared to call 911.
Be prepared to identify:
A First Aid kit is kept in the Ushers room on the counter.
Should paramedics be needed, one usher should go outside and direct them into the church entrance.
Due to the importance of emergency procedures and the application of these procedures in a timely manner (e.g. CPR, artificial respiration, and Heimlich maneuver) training would be helpful.
At the time this document was created, information related to environmental items of the church was incomplete. Please look for an update sheet detailing specifics of the church environment and how to deal with these items. This information will be posted in the Usher’s room close to the phone.
A list of key contacts that may be of assistance in times of crisis or general environment problems will be posted close to the phone in the Usher’s room.