Greet and Welcome people coming in for the Celebration of Mass.
2. Guide or direct people where they need to go (e.g.: parish office, restrooms, bulletin board, sacristy etc.)
4. Assist the old and disabled, accompany them to seats if necessary.
5. Ensure cleanliness and order of the church and its surrounding.
6. Offer kind reminders to people (e.g.: maintain silence, cellular phones, littering e
tc.)
7. Appoint members of the laity who will present the gifts for the offertory/presentation of the gifts.
8. While serving, do always smile for to parishioners can come over to us. Duties and Responsibilities:
1. They must arrive at least 15 or 20 minutes before their scheduled service. This time should be spend for:
a. Personal or Group Prayer. Ensuring that the church is properly arranged and free trash left during the previous masses.
2. Ushers and greeters should position themselves if possible at all entrances of the church to greet people coming in.
3. They are responsible for distributing leaflets and other liturgical paraphernalia.
4. They should stay together with the community when the mass is being celebrated, taking their place near the doors of the church in case of emergencies
5. They must be discreet in keeping the peace and order of the community
6. They must be aware of the immediate surroundings, where seats are available for those who are arriving late.
7. They must be aware of the parts of mass. Knowing where and when to seat late comers:
a. Where to seat them
• Near the entrances to avoid distracting others (give exemption to the elders, disabled, pregnant etc)
b. When to seat them
• While people are standing
• If possible not while the word of God is being proclaimed
• Before the Homily or before the Profession of faith
8. As they are aware of the parts of the mass, Ushers and Greeters must not be walking around, unless when it is absolutely necessary. When the word of God is being proclaimed. When the presider is delivering his homily. When the Eucharistic Prayer is being said or sung by the presider. Qualities and Attitudes of an Ushers and Greeters:
1. Humility - Humbleness of mind ; (Luke 22:24-30)
2. Patience - They must be able to deal with people with different attitudes and dispositions and who come from a wide variety of social and cultural environment ; to control itself ; being calm
3. Understanding and Kindness - Ushers and greeters function as host to the gathering of God’s faithful people in the liturgical celebration. Ushers and Greeters bring to their ministry a strong sense of community.
4. Tactfulness - A minister must exercise diplomacy (practice of skill) at all times bearing in mind that they are represent in parish in welcoming. Parishioners to church, offering parishioners warm smile and heartfelt greetings. Even as they remind people to exercise discipline.
5. Alertness and Composure - Always ready. On the go. So that in case of emergencies (e.g.: people fainting and passing out, undesirable entering the church, accidents etc.). they may not cause further panic distraction and know exactly what to do (e.g.; give them first aid, call a guard etc.)
6. Warm and Welcoming- So that the faithful may be encouraged to enter the church and participate in liturgical celebrations because they have felt the welcoming embrace that is supposed to be accorded to them.
7. Keepers of peace and order - They are supposed to keep peace and order within and around the church to maintain the dignity of the liturgical celebration but not as police enforcers. But as leaders patiently reminding people about the proper decorum when in the Lord’s Presence.
8. Instrument of Unity and Channels of grace - Being a bridge of making peace
9. Consistent - Compatible and Fixed. They at all times possess the disposition of Jesus, who came among us not to be served but this mission of Servanthood.
10. Physically Strength and Fit - An usher may not be the first to cause further panic, fainting, passing out, distraction etc., than to the parishioner/person who are in need. They must be physically strong and fit. It has be have enough strength and have smart mind for preparedness and awareness.
11. Dress Appropriately - Be look professional, neat, and smart. And being in proper hygiene
12. Frontline of the Church - The first impression of the character and spirit of the ministry.
