Qualities of an Usher or Greeter: Ministry History

The ministry of usher/greeter is the oldest lay ministry in the Catholic Church. The usher/greeter of today has 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 usher/greeter. The more immediate predecessor of today's usher/greeter can be found in the clerical order of porter, instituted in the 3rd Century A.D. During those times, it was the duty of the porters to guard the door of the church against any intruders who might disturb the service. The porter duties were so important that 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 porter and this important task was given over to the laity. While today's usher/greeter does not ring bells or open the church, their primary duties and responsibilities include greeting and welcoming parishioners and guests as they enter the church, help them to find seats, taking up the collection and wishing everyone a good day at the conclusion of the Liturgical Celebration.

This ministry is open to all parishioners; men and women; senior citi citizen, parent and teenager. Ushers and Greeters are friendly and welcome all regardless their diverse origin. Their faith en enables them to see Christ's presence in individuals and in the gathered community of believers. They are honest and dependable. They can handle emergency situations with courage, composure and compassion. They carry a dignity about themselves even when perf performing menial tasks.

Providing the weekly bulletin to members of the congregation Wishing everyone a good day (week) at the conclusion of the celebration of the Mass Cleaning up the church after Mass, collecting excess bulletins and papers left behind in the pews and on or around chairs

Would you like to be an Usher or Greeter? Do you have any questions? Want to know who to contact? Here are some answers! Time Commitment:
Usually about 1 hours per Mass and begins 20 minutes before Mass begins, includes duties during Mass, and for ushers 5 5-10 minutes after Mass for cleaning up your assigned area.

Greeters Duties:
Their duties include: Extend hand and greet everyone as they arrive for worship

Wishing everyone a good day (week) at the conclusion of the celebration of the Mass Assist if needed to provide the weekly bulletin to members of the assembly

Training: Training
"On the job training" is provided by working alongside an experienced Usher or Greeter Greeter.

Ushers Duties:
Their duties include:

Selecting a family to make the Offertory presentation Assisting in the seating of parishioners and guests Maintenance of the climate control system during Mass Handling emergency situations with courage, composure and compassion Taking up the Offertory collection

How do I Identify an Usher?

Look for someone wearing:

Contact:
To join this ministry or to obtain more information, please call either the English or Spanish Coordinator listed below or approach any of our Ushers or Greeters after the liturgy. You may also contact the parish office at (760) 757-3250 Usher Coordinator English Tom Crowder Email: mslr.parish@cox.net Home: (760) 439-2022 Cell (760) 717-5452 Usher Coordinator Spanish Oscar Guinea Email: guineaoscar@yahoo.com Phone:(760) 457-5135 Greeter Coordinator English Wendy Brophy Email: Phone: Greeter Coordinator Spanish Isaias Sebastian Email: Phone: Usher Co-Coordinator-English Jerry Gomes Email: kayla390@cox.net Phone: (760) 519-3792 Usher Co-Coordinator-Spanish ??? Email: Phone:

Greeter Co Co-Coordinator-English ??? Email: Phone: Greeter Co Co-Coordinator-Spanish ??? Email: Phone:

Mass Lead Usher Old Mission Church

Tom Crowder Sunday - 7:00 a.m.

The Ministry of

Serra Center
Tom Crowder ??? Joseph Rebaya Jerry Gomez Oscar Guinea Dan Pierce Saturday - 5:00 p.m. Saturday - 7:00 p.m. Sunday - 8:00 a.m. Sunday - 10:00 a.m. Sunday - 12:00 p.m. Sunday - 5:00 p.m.

Our Mission Statement

Our ministry at Mission San Louis inistry Rey Parish is that of hospitality. arish Our service is making parishioners and guests feel welcome and comfortable as we gath gather for our Liturgies. The usher & greeters are able to see ushers the presence of Christ in each person as they arrive.