St. Matthew Catholic Church

PURPOSE:
Our brothers and sisters who serve the parish community in the capacity of ushers and greeters are much more than collection takers and distributors of the weekly bulletin. They are representatives of our overall community. In addition to welcoming visitors, they assist new parishioners and help the disabled experience an accessible environment.

SKILLS:
The best ushers and greeters are helpful and outgoing; they realize that they have a role to be the welcoming face of our community. Many people who come to celebrate the liturgy may only talk to the usher or greeter. In this way, the ushers and greeters must be able to provide a friendly and welcoming smile. Ushers and greeters must be able to balance their facilitation of movement and action with sensitivity to people's feelings and personal needs. They should also be prepared,  if the need arises to render assistance in emergencies.

BENEFIT:
The door of the church is a symbol of our baptism, which is our entry into Christian life. Ushers and greeters welcome the followers of Christ at the door. Matthew 7:7 reads: "Ask and it will be given to you search and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Ministers of hospitality are graced with the opportunity to extend Christ's love in this way to both friend and stranger.

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. Making sure that the gifts of bread and wine are in their proper places before Mass and asking members of the assembly to bring forth the gifts at the Offertory
4. Checking the worship space to make certain that it free from clutter
5. 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 Orange Office of Finance specifically pertaining to the collection of monies during the Mass.
• Assisting in the Offertory Procession

6. Assisting the handicapped in receiving Holy Communion as well as facilitating the Communion procession. However it is not necessary to stand at each row while that row goes to Communion, which has the appearance of “keeping track” of who goes and who does not receive Holy Communion.
7. Offering the parish bulletin to the faithful as they exit the church GREETERS In general, greeters carry the responsibility for the following:

• Opening doors to make sure the entrance into the church is welcoming to all
• Giving full attention to the gathering assembly by offering a “Good Morning” (keep in mind that the sense of touch can be sometimes more powerful than words. A handshake or a hug can speak volumes.)
• Smile, which not only magnifies your true inner sincerity and sensitivity, but is an international sign of welcome to all the faithful.