MINISTRY OF HOSPITALITY

Ushers and Greeters are called to be Ministers of Hospitality. They are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcoming and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship. They are the first point of contact for the communal celebration of the Liturgy and because of this, should take special steps in being living representatives of the Parish Mission Statement. Ministers of Hospitality minister to the entire community in a very active way. By freeing each person of their own personal impediments to the Mass through a welcoming atmosphere, ministers of hospitality take an active role in enabling each person to come to a freer expression of God in the Liturgy.

REQUIREMENTS

1. The Ministry of Hospitality is truly a service to the Church and should be treated seriously and with great dignity. Therefore, Ministers of Hospitality should have an understanding of the Liturgy in order to be effective in providing the faithful with the proper environment.

2. In addition, the following attributes will assist the ministers of seeking Jesus’ face in the face of each and every person who comes into the church: patience, reverence, sensitivity compassion, understanding, gentleness, embracing a sense of the family gathered as the Body of Christ.

3. Your participation in the Ministry of Hospitality should be a direct reflection of your own prayer life which is nurtured by the Word of God and reception of Holy Eucharist thereby imbuing within you a spirit of dignity and respect.

USHERS

In general, ushers carry the responsibility for the following:

1. Seating those assembled for Liturgy and especially taking special efforts to seat the faithful during the natural breaks in the Mass.

2. Attending to the needs of the disabled through such things as holding doors open, or locating non sloped areas places for wheelchairs and walkers.

3. Checking the worship space to make certain that it free from clutter

4. Assisting in the Rite of Preparation:

• Circulating the collection receptacles (there should be a sufficient numbers of ushers to facilitate the collection in a timely and orderly fashion)
• Adhering to the Guidelines from the Diocese of St Augustine Office of Finance specifically pertaining to the collection of monies during the Mass.
• Assisting in the Offertory Procession

5. Assisting the handicapped in receiving Holy Communion as well as facilitating the Communion procession. 

6. Offering the parish bulletin to the faithful as they enter the church 

PREPARATION

1. Pray.

2. Seek Christ in everyone.

3. Embrace your Parish Mission Statement.

For more information please contact Bill Black