Sunday Usher Schedule

November 2008

7:30 a.m.	9:30 a.m.	11:45 a.m.
Gary Ryniak Steve Pierce	Jerry Dallaire Bob Longuski	Rogar Vuylsteke Bob Conlin

Table Of Contents

• Welcome.
   
• General Information.
   
• Before Mass Information.
   
• At Mass Information.
   
• After Mass Information.
   
• Disruptions / Emergencies.
   
• Miscellaneous Information.

Welcome (Back to the Table of Contents)

Our Lord said, "Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me" (Mt. 10:40).
 
The willingness to serve in the capacity of an Usher, reflects your commitment to Christ. Your willingness to commit to a monthly schedule; to arrive on time and to be a friendly, welcoming presence to those coming to St. Joseph's is a further reflection of your willingness to serve God.
 
When you assure a welcoming presence, while ensuring orderly seating at all Masses offered in this Parish, you enhance the beauty of the Liturgy and become an instrument through whom God may be present to parishioners. "For the sake of my relatives and friends, I will say, 'Peace be with you!' For the sake of the house of our Lord, I will pray for your good." (Ps 122:8-9) and "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of the wicked." (Ps 84:11)
 
All new ushers will be issued an usher pin signifying that you are an Usher. Wear this pin humbly for it signifies that you have accepted the awesome privilege of welcoming and being for others a representative of our church.
God bless your efforts!

General Information (Back to the Table of Contents)

General Information:

• Ushers have assisted at masses for generations.
   
• At St. Joseph's Parish, ushers assist at every Sunday Mass and at Masses offered on Holy Day's.
   
• The role of the Usher is one of offering a friendly welcoming presence to those coming to Mass, providing assistance in securing seating for latecomers, providing assistance in emergencies, taking up the collection, providing assistance at Communion, distributing the parish bulletin and participating in the clean-up of the church after the completion of Mass.
   

Before Mass Information (Back to the Table of Contents)

• 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. Generally speaking, it's a good habit to arrive 30 minutes before Mass.
   
• Wear your Usher Pin so that it is visible to all those coming to Mass.
   
• Ushers assist with good order at Communion time. At St. Joseph's parish, communicants go out row by row from the front. At the 9:30 am & 11:45 am Masses, allow the choir members to go up for Communion before letting others. You should ask handicapped if they would like assistance going up to Communion, or if they want Communion brought to them. It is your responsibility to be sure to let the priest know that Communion may have to be brought to someone in the rear of the Church.
   
• In the church, two (2) ushers come to the front at the Agnus Dei and kneel down until it is time to have the faithful move forward to receive. You should go row by row to the rear of the church. Remember, your role is to be of service at this time, so you should be offering gentle guidance and not acting as a drill sergeant!

At Mass Information (Back to the Table of Contents)

• Once Mass begins, it is inappropriate to be carrying on a conversation unrelated to the action of the Mass. It is understood that there will be times when it is necessary for you to interact with parishioners arriving late. This interaction should be done quietly and 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. It is inappropriate to seat latecomers during the Sermon. Please ask people to remain quietly at the rear of the Church until an acceptable time to be seated occurs.
   
• Remember to always treat those who are late with reverence and respect; it is not your place to judge, but to be of service!
   
• The offerings of the parishioners are collected by two (2) ushers who start in the middle aisle and then proceed to collect the offerings one (1) usher in each side aisle using long handled baskets.
   

After Mass Information (Back to the Table of Contents)

• Ushers should be careful to not signal it is OK to leave early by opening the doors and standing ready to hand out bulletins before the Celebrant has even left the altar.
   
• Once the Celebrant has left the altar, ushers should go to their respective posts and stand ready, with a warm smile.
   
• Once everyone has left the church, you should assist in straightening up the pew areas by picking up what may be left behind in the pews and returning any stray bulletins to the appropriate locations at the doors.
   

Disruptions / Emergencies (Back to the Table of Contents)

• Medical emergencies can occur and it is always better to err on the side of caution. Again, you want to try to be as calm as possible and cause as little distraction as possible.
   
• A written plan to handle various types of emergencies, including fire and medical, is to be developed. Each Usher will have the plan made available to him and the plan will be posted in appropriate areas of the Church. Each Usher will also be trained, as appropriate, in all aspects of the plan, so that you are comfortable with the execution of any plan to address emergencies during a Mass at the Parish.
   
   

Miscellaneous Information. (Back to the Table of Contents)

• Be sure to notify Jerry Dallaire before the 15th of the month, of any known schedule issues, e.g., vacations for the following month, so the schedule may be prepared appropriately. .
   
• Remember, it is your responsibility to secure a substitute should you have a schedule conflict.
   
• Your respect for your position should be reflected in your appearance, by being clean and well groomed and in your attire; appropriate attire is a suit and tie.