The ministry of ushers is the oldest lay ministry in the Catholic Church.  The ushers of today have descended from a long line of people of God who have gone before them.  During the time of Christ, the doorkeepers of the Temple numbered in the hundreds and were the forerunners of today’s ushers.
 
More recently, in the 3rd century AD, there was a clerical order of “porter”.  The porter’s duties included guarding the door of the church against intruders who might disturb the service.  These porters’ duties were so important, they came to be included in the rite of ordination, where they were specified as:
 
"To ring the bells, open the church and sacristy, to open the book for the preacher”
 
In 1972, Pope Paul VI abolished the order of the porter and this important task was given over to the laity. Today, the mission of the usher/greeter is primarily hospitality in helping make parishioners and guests feel welcome and comfortable as we gather for our Eucharistic celebration.  This is a much needed ministry in our parish community, and we are always looking for men and women to fill this role.  
 
OUR MISSION
 Hospitality - Our service is making parishioners and guests feel welcome and comfortable as we gather for our Eucharistic celebration. 
 
QUALITIES OF AN USHER
 This ministry is open to all parishioners; men, women, parents and teenagers.  Ushers are friendly people who welcome all ages and nationalities.  Their faith enables them to see Christ’s presence in individuals and in the gathered community of believers.  Ushers are honest and dependable.  They can handle emergency situations with courage and composure.  They carry a dignity about themselves even when performing menial tasks. 
 
DUTIES

• Greeting parishioners and guests as they enter for worship
• Assisting in the seating of parishioners and guests
• Selecting a family to bring up the gifts
• Climate control during Mass
• Collecting the offering
• Providing weekly bulletins at the end of Mass
• Wishing everyone a good day as they leave the Mass
• Cleaning up the church after Mass, collecting items left behind in the pews
• Handling emergency situations

• Completion of the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) workshop provided by the Diocese of Austin
• 1 ½ hours per Mass, arriving 15 minutes prior to Mass and remaining 5-10 minutes to distribute bulletins and clean-up. 

TRAINING
 “On the job training” is provided by experienced ushers.
 
CONTACTS
Please prayerfully consider serving in this ministry to help our community to be a parish of stewardship by contacting:
Kenith Bartz, usher coordinator, 254-760-3141