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The Usher Ministry: Helping To “Bring Our Parish To Life” Through Hospitality
Longtime parishioner Bill Anderson can’t remember what initially got him involved in the St. Anthony of Padua’s Usher Ministry. It all started years ago, back when he was a young father raising his children. Although those days have long since passed, Bill continues to serve faithfully in this ministry that has been such a blessing to his life.
“You get to help with the sacrifices of the Mass so much more than just sitting in the pew with a book,” Bill says. “We want to each do our part to help bring our parish to life. For me, there is nothing better than when people walk into the church and are nervous because it doesn’t look like there is a spot for them, to be able to ask someone to move over and make a space for them, and to help make them feel a bit more welcome.”
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Though traditionally viewed as a man’s ministry, the Usher Ministry is open to any registered parishioner, male or female, age 18 or older. They are meant to be visible figures of hospitality for the parish, welcoming people into the church and assisting them in finding seating. The latter has become even more important in recent times, due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
“When we Catholics go to church, we don’t tend to sit close to people unless we have to,” Bill says. “So there is always the challenge of helping people find a seat. Today, we have to spread out even more. So the usher is there to help us be seated safely while also fitting as many people as possible into the church.”
An usher must also remain knowledgeable and aware, ready to assist people when needed. This might mean providing a hearing device for someone in need, directing visitors to a restroom, or stepping in during a medical emergency.
“It’s very important that an usher knows, for example, where the AED — automated external defibrillator — is located,” Bill says. “They are tasked with watching everything, and in the case of an emergency, an usher is really our first line of response. They are meant to be aware and knowledgeable of the resources available.”
The ushers also help orchestrate and ensure the proper cataloging of the weekend collections, safeguarding parishioners’ contributions through outlined best practices and directives.
“For example, at least two unrelated ushers stay after Mass and make sure that collections are properly bagged, sealed in tamper-proof bags, and then put into the safe where the collection resides until Monday, when the money counters arrive,” Bill says.
Lastly, the ushers place the bulletins out after Communion so that parishioners can take one as they exit the church building.
Not only are these tasks important to the smooth operation of the liturgy, but the ministry also helps draw men and women more deeply into the life of the Church. During his many years of volunteering, Bill says he’s been able to meet many fellow parishioners that he would not have likely met otherwise. He’s also formed a deep camaraderie with some of his fellow ushers, which leads to involvement in other ministries.
“It’s very fulfilling and you get to meet a lot of people in the process,” Bill says. “You really get to know the other ushers and that helps you get involved with the Men’s Society and other ministries of the parish.”
Ushers put together and carefully store the offertory contributions, helping to ensure the proper stewardship of the funds entrusted to our church.
