The Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus Catholic Church
Ushers Guidelines
“In the body of Christ there exists a wonderful variety of ministries, which are evident when we gather around the altar to worship God…ushers provide welcome and dignified order to the celebration…” (Book of Blessings, 1858)
You have agreed to serve our parish as an usher.  You will be welcoming people to worship, tending their needs, helping them find a place, gathering the gifts during the collection, and bidding them farewell when the service concludes.  By nature, you are a person who wants to help.  You have a deep faith in Christ, a love for the Mass, and a place in the parish community.  Your desire to serve will help the faithful worship when they arrive at church.
Jesus was frequently a guest and so were his disciples.  They all learned that some people welcomed them, while others resisted their arrival.  Jesus is still a guest.  He is present in the community that gathers for worship.  The next person who enters the church will know whether or not you offered hospitality and that person is Jesus.  Thank you for your humble and dedicated service to Jesus and his people.
Welcoming people to worship

• A big smile and welcoming demeanor set the tone for those who arrive to join in our worship.  Greet others with these realities in mind.
• It is important that our ushers know where facilities are located such as bathrooms and the cry room/chapel.  They should also be aware of other campus buildings and know where to direct folks during special liturgies such as ACTS Return Masses or for special services like Wee Care.
• As ministers during sacred celebrations, an usher’s dress code is important in conveying the special nature of our gatherings.  As such, a dress code is being recommended but is not required.  In descending order, the preference is a suit first, jacket and slacks second, and then dress shirt and slacks.  Blue jeans or anything else less casual are discouraged.
• Be aware of other parish staff members who may be available to answer questions or help you in other ways.  Please limit involving the clergy who are preparing to lead the service to allow them to concentrate on their role.
• The acoustics in the sanctuary are very good so please limit verbal communication or activities so as not to be a distraction to those gathered to worship.  Try to have any necessary conversations in the foyer.

• All ushers should be aware of the location of the AED, manual suction pump, and bloodborne pathogens kit.  A first aid kit is available for responding to minor injuries.
• In the event of a sudden illness that results in vomiting, cleaning supplies are located in the janitor’s room between the two bathrooms.  Please do not use the vacuum cleaner to recover the absorbent, using a broom and dust pan instead. 
• In the event of a more significant illness or injury, please contact 911 first.  After that, please refer to the incident/injury reporting and response requirements that are posted at the information desk.
• Any security issues or problems in dealing with difficult persons should be referred to the on duty security personnel.  These persons are present at each significant Liturgy event but will not be obvious to everyone.  If necessary, interrupt the Liturgy to ask for their help.

• Assist in seating everyone in the sanctuary and encouraging that no one remain standing in the back of the sanctuary during Mass.  For larger attendance liturgies, seating may be directed to St. Peter’s hall.  No seating in the foyer is allowed.
• Special seating for elderly and handicapped is provided at the back of the pews in the main sanctuary.  Assist those who do not have special needs to leave those areas open for those that do.
• Assist the EMOHCs in getting Communion to all those special needs persons.  All persons in the chapel should be directed to join in the lines to receive Communion with the other parishioners.
• Be sure to prepare the seating area in St. Peter’s Hall for the children’s Liturgy.  This Liturgy takes place during the Sunday Mass at 11:00.

• Please be sure to have discussed the individual usher responsibilities for collections prior to Mass beginning, which usher will cover which aisle for example.  Reverence for the service is important and the collection process should be as transparent as possible, so a quietly done process is critical.
• An appropriate sign of reverence when beginning the collection would be a bow in unison.  Genuflecting is not required. 
• In arranging the gift bearers, please make contact with the family before Mass begins.  Encourage them to come to the back as soon as the collection begins.  It is not necessary to wait for the collection to go to the sacristy before being prepared to bring the gifts forward, whether by a family or by ushers.  If ushers will be bringing the gifts forward, decide who that will be before Mass begins.
• As for getting collections into the sacristy safe, two ushers are needed to do so along with completing the information on the collection bags.  Please maintain a quiet demeanor throughout this process. 
• In helping the children leave and return during the 11:00 Mass liturgy for children, maintain this same quiet approach.
• Refer to the information board in the ushers’ room for how many collections are planned for each Mass.
• For the Communion procession, come to the front of the sanctuary as the “Peace of Christ” is ending, at the same time the EMOHCs are approaching the tabernacle.
• When there is a second collection, wait for the sacred vessels to be removed from the altar and the clergy seated before coming forward.  It is important not to interrupt the congregational Communion reflection time.

• As for bulletin distribution and opening the doors into the foyer, do this after the final blessing.  Doing so sooner creates a distraction and may actually invite people to leave earlier than necessary.  Use the foyer for any traffic back and forth from the ushers’ room.
• Be available for assisting special needs persons in their departure.
• After Mass ends, walk through the sanctuary and chapel to remove any trash or gather items to go into “lost and found”.

• Make sure enough ushers are available before Mass starts including recruiting untrained help if necessary.
• Be the point of contact for ushers for any last minute considerations.
• Assist in scheduling ushers for special services.
• Be the point of contact during the youth ministry Mass to assist the youth ushers as needed.

• This is the responsibility of one of the lead ushers and can be done individually or coordinated with larger group orientations. 
• Follow the Safe Environment requirements for training any youth ushers, doing so preferably in groups rather than individually.

• Parish clergy, likely the deacon but could also be other parish staff members, will communicate with the lead ushers as the point of contact for any special occasion celebrations.

 
10/30/18