T m te a o C g h e c di p T U T 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. ualities of an Usher or Greeter: is ministry is open to all parishioners; en and women; senior citizen, parent and enager. Ushers and Greeters are friendly d welcome all regardless their diverse igin. Their faith enables them to see rist's presence in individuals and in the thered community of believers. They are nest and dependable. They can handle ergency situations with courage, mposure and compassion. They carry a gnity about themselves even when rforming menial tasks. reeter’s Duties: eir 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 sher’s Duties: eir 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 P W a o Cl c p o Woul Greet Do yo Want Time Usually begins include ushers cleanin Train "On th workin or Gree How d Look fo oviding the weekly bulletin to embers of the congregation ishing everyone a good day (week) t the conclusion of the celebration f the Mass eaning up the church after Mass, ollecting excess bulletins and apers left behind in the pews and n or around chairs you like to be an Usher or r? have any questions? to know who to contact? ere are some answers! C ommitment: about 1¾ hours per Mass and 0 minutes before Mass begins, s duties during Mass, and for 5-10 minutes after Mass for g up your assigned area. ng: job training" is provided by alongside an experienced Usher ter. o I Identify an Usher? r someone wearing: