Procedures for Ushers

1

Arrive 30 minutes before mass and sign in.

2

Greet people as they arrive

at either the front door or inside the back of the Church.

3

Choose at least two people to present the gifts.

4

Approximately 10 minutes before mass,

the ministers will gather at the back of the church, at which time

come inside the church and assist people with seating.

It is preferable to seat people in the church proper rather than the loft.

5

During the liturgy,

ask people arriving late to wait for the pauses between the readings and psalm

to be seated. Please do not set chairs in the aisle unless absolutely necessary.

Be conscious not to forcibly separate couples and/or families by squeezing them

in spots all over the church.

6

As soon as the offertory hymn has begun,

process up the aisle with the baskets and make reverence to the altar with a bow.

Begin the first collection at the front pews

and then ½ way down the aisle start another set of baskets.

If there is a second collection, return to the front

and begin the second collection.

7

Assist the gift bearers for the offertory procession.

The collections should be presented with the first on the bottom of the basket

and the second in a smaller basket inside.

The prayer intention book should be placed in or on the collection basket.

The gifts are bread and wine.

The procession forward should be the collection basket

followed by the bread and wine.

After the collection basket is presented to the priest,

that person steps to the right.

When the priest returns to the altar,

the gift bearers bow to the altar and return to their seats.

8

As the ministers receive communion, one usher should come forward to the first pew

on the right and be ready to direct the assembly for the communion procession.

Proceed down the right aisle front to back and then the left side back to front.

You should receive after the assembly.

9

When the closing hymn begins,

proceed to the back of the church and prepare to hand out the weekly bulletin

as people leave.

After all have left,

put the collections in their proper bags,

empty the poor box after the 8:30 & 11:15 Masses

and give all collections to the pastor/priest.

Check that the pews are relatively clean.

Assist with turning off lights and securing the church.

Keep in mind that you are the minister of welcome and hospitality!

You are the face of the parish to many.