The Ushers Ministry: Extending Hospitality and Helping to Build Community

When Don Thamer and his wife attended the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass eight or nine years ago, a gentleman tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he would help with the collections. Don agreed, and when he saw that there was often a need for help, he continued to offer to help. Soon, Don was a regular usher at the 11 a.m. Mass — eventually becoming the lead usher at that Mass.

“All the ushers got together and one of them said, ‘Let’s let Don do it,’” he recalls.

Today, Don serves as the coordinator of the Ushers Ministry. Looking back, he can see how volunteering as an usher has led him to become involved in ministries all over the parish.

“I almost feel like I work there full-time!” Don says.

As an usher, Don met and connected with many parishioners. He became involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, regularly attended Eucharistic Adoration, and joined the Knights of Columbus.

As an usher, Don can make parishioners and visitors feel welcome at Mass.

“We should take pride in our parish,” Don says.

One of the ushers’ main roles is to take up the collection during Mass then bring it to the altar. After Mass, two of the ushers put the collection in a bag, take it to the rectory, and put it in the safe.

Don and the members of the Ushers Ministry are regrouping after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He aims to improve communication between the ushers, coordinate a schedule, and recruit more ushers.

It takes nine ushers to take up the collection at each Mass, but until recently there were only three or four regular ushers at a Mass. Don would go around before Mass and ask parishioners to help on that day. When Youth Minister Johann Rubia-Miller was at Mass, Don often asked her to gather some of the youth to help with the collection.

“It’s never been permanent,” Don says. “When things get settled, the idea is for the ushers to greet the people as they walk in the door, make them feel comfortable, and let them know that we’re glad to see them.”

Ushers become familiar faces at Mass and get to know the faces of our parishioners, especially if they serve as ushers regularly.

“This is a community of friendship,” Don says. “Don’t feel like you’re an outsider — feel like you’re part of the community, part of the parish family.”

When Don taps someone on the shoulder before Mass, he always receives welcome help — and sometimes that person, like Don almost a decade ago, begins serving as a regular volunteer. Don welcomes all help, from men and women, young and old.

“Your parish appreciates you,” Don says. “You are wanted and needed.”

If you are interested in serving as an usher, or currently usher at any of the Masses, please contact Don Thamer at 916-549-7195 or don.nprz6@gmail.com.

(From left) Don Thamer and Michael Langer