Ushers conduct the collection and the offertory procession at the Mass service.

When you are scheduled as an Usher, go to the sacristy and check your name off the schedule posted for the day. Please let the other Ushers & Greeters know you are there.

Please Note: See the Definitions below for any words & phrases that are unfamiliar.

Remember that an Usher is often the first person that worshipers meet when they arrive at Church. The usher thus has the opportunity and the responsibility to represent the rest of the assembly in offering hospitality. A warm smile and word of welcome that reflects God's love for them can help all worshipers enter more easily and more fully into the celebration of the liturgy.

The basic responsibility of an Usher is the same as for all participating in the Mass, to join in the act of worship as fully as possible. Join in singing the hymns, listening attentively, and responding to prayers. This will encourage others around you to participate as well.

Before Mass: Go to the Sacristy and bring the collection basket, bread, water and wine to the offertory table.

As worshipers enter the Church, greet them warmly and hand them a bulletin. You should stay at your entrance no later than the beginning of the First Reading to welcome worshipers. You may go to your seat as early as the opening hymn, if you prefer.

Coordinate six people to take up the collection. You may ask the other scheduled Greeters first, and then ask other worshipers if needed. Explain that they should come to the back of the Church during the Prayers of the Faithful, gather their collection basket, and wait at the back of their assigned aisle.

Ask two or three people if they are interested in taking up the offertory gifts. Please explain clearly to them the responsibility they will have.

During Mass: Ask gift presenters to come to the back of the Church at the start of the collection so they are ready for the procession when the offerings have been gathered.

After the Prayers of the Faithful, when the assembly sits down and the music begins, all Ushers should walk to the front of the pews together. The center aisle Ushers lead the procession by nodding to the other ushers to begin.

Ushers should not kneel or bow when reaching the front of the pews. After gathering the monetary contributions from their assigned aisle, Ushers should deposit their collection into the main collection basket near the offertory table.

Please be sure to collect monetary contributions from worshipers standing in the back of Church and in the vestibule.

If there is a second collection, wait until all Ushers have finished their assigned aisles from the first collection to begin again. All Ushers should again process up their assigned aisles together. The second collection should be deposited in the smaller basket and can be carried to the altar inside of the larger collection basket.

Collecting the monetary gifts of the worshipers is part of the act of worship and should be done prayerfully. These offerings serve as a symbol of the worshipers' willingness to follow Christ and to give of themselves as He did.

Ask gift presenters to walk slowly and prayerfully up the center aisle, around the right side of the altar and place the gifts on the altar. An Usher will follow behind them with the collection basket.

The collection basket should be placed on the side of the altar. After the gifts have been placed on the altar, the Presider will most often shake the hands of the gift presenters and the Ushers. Then, the gift presenters and the Ushers should return to their seats, but without bowing in front of the altar. The Usher should be the last one to walk up to the altar and the last one to walk back from the altar.

After the gifts have been taken to the altar, move the offertory table out of the center aisle to the space behind the last pew, next to the bulletin carts.

Please go to the back of the Church before the closing hymn to offer bulletins to people who may not have received them earlier.

After Mass: Tidy up the Church by putting up kneelers and returning any bulletins left in the pews to the carts by the doors, and return any misplaced hymnals.

Please be on time. Come at least 15 minutes before the start of the Mass. If you cannot attend a Mass for which you’re scheduled, please try to find a substitute. If you cannot find a substitute, please call the Parish Center and ask to leave a message for the sacristan in the Sacristy before the mass.

Please wear appropriate clothing. Shorts, bare shoulders, T-shirts, and worn-out jeans are regarded by many people who worship with us as a sign of an overly casual approach toward assisting the Mass. Nice jeans are fine, but otherwise, if you wouldn’t wear it to work, we ask you not to wear it to church.

Sacristy: Preparation room adjacent to Sanctuary.
Sanctuary: Entire altar space.
Presider: The Father who performs the mass.
Offertory Table:
W1: Primary Usher, Webster Entrance.
W2, W3, W4: Greeters, Webster Entrance.
S1, S2: Greeters, Sheffield Entrance.