![]() ![]() Safe ingress and egress is part of the usher’s role especially in the case of emergency. ![]() Our Mission is unique in it’s lay out as it is long and narrow with one middle aisle. During Holy Communion, ushers ensure an orderly flow and if someone is physicially unable to walk forward to receive the Eucharist, ushers notify the Eucharist Ministers and direct them to the person(s) so they can receive the Eucharist. Ushers not only collect during the Offertory but they work with the Sacristan to ensure the Offertory gifts are in the proper place for the Offertory procession. The comfort of those in attendance means the ushers serve in the role of “crowd control” as well as “traffic director” during communion and other rituals during Mass. Ushers ensure proper seating for all as they arrive. This is very important at Old Mission Santa Inés due to the number of visitors we serve as well as any disabled attending Mass. Ushers assist those who are preparing to worship God by creating and maintaining a quiet and reverent atmosphere within the church.Īs part of the Mission’s Hospitality program the ushers provide all in attendance at Mass a comfortable, safe and secure environment during all services. Before Mass begins, they offer a welcoming presence and assist with and ensure safe and orderly seating at all Masses offered in this Parish. Ushers enhance the beauty of the Liturgy and become an instrument through whom God may be present to those in worship. Today, ushers may ring the bells or open the church but their primary duties and responsibilities include greeting and welcoming parishioners as they enter the church, helping them to find seats, taking up the collection and securing the church after Mass.Īt Old Mission Santa Inés, ushers serve not only as Ministers of Hospitality, but also as Liturgical Ministers by reflecting the devotion, reverence and joy of encountering God during worship service and Evangelism Ministers as they genuinely welcome and help everyone. Ushers provide a friendly and welcoming presence to those arriving to worship. In 1972 Pope Paul VI abolished the order of porter and this important task was given over to the laity. ![]() ![]() They rang the bells, opened the church, and opened the book for the pastor. The porters' duties were so important that they were included in the rite of ordination. In the third century A.D., a clerical order known as "porters" or overseers of the doors was instituted to guard the door of the church against any intruders who might disturb the service. But the account in John 7 states that they instead became interested in Jesus' message. The gatekeepers had become known as the "Temple Guard" by the time of Christ Jesus. Their duties included opening the temple every morning, providing care and protection for all the precious vessels, preparing certain food items used in ritual sacrifices, and guarding the temple (I Chronicles 9). Their ministry was so important, their living quarters were in the temple. "For I was…a stranger and you welcomed me," ( Matthew 25:35).Īs the oldest lay ministry in the Catholic Church,ushers were called "gatekeepers" in the Old Testament. By their service, ushers live out Christ’s words: Ushers reflect the warmth and welcome of Christ to everyone who enters for worship. Serving the parish as an usher reflects commitment to Christ and service to the Parish with joy, dependability, kindness and reverence. ![]()
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