Usher Duties Exits Bathrooms Telephone Vomit Clean-up Supplies Vacuum Reserved Pew Markers Collection Baskets

Transcription

1 Usher Duties Thank you for volunteering to be an usher at Mass. Being an usher is more than just taking up the Sunday collection. Ushers are the first people that our parishioners and visitors see when they enter the church, and are the first to welcome them to our parish in the spirit of Christ. The following is a list of things every usher needs to know, along with procedures. All ushers should know where the following are located: Exits ~ know where all of the exits are and make sure none of them are blocked. Bathrooms ~ all bathrooms are located in the church lower level. The main bathrooms are located down the east steps and to the left. There is a handicap bathroom located near the lower level north doors of church. Telephone ~ there is a telephone in the Priest s sacristy and another phone in the kitchen. Long distance calls cannot be made on either phone ~ local calls only. Vomit Clean-up Supplies ~ these supplies are located in the closet next to the cry room. There are additional supplies located in the Custodian room in the church lower level by the north lower level doors. Vacuum ~ this is located in the closet next to the cry room. Reserved Pew Markers ~ these are located on the shelf in the closet in the altar server sacristy. There are four markers ~ if only reserving on one side, use two markers (one for each side of the last pew being reserved). Typically these markers will be out at least 45 minutes prior to Mass. Collection Baskets ~ are located under the table in front of the cry room. 1. Dress attire must be worn a. Dress shoes b. Dress pants (nice khaki s, black dress pants, nice black jeans) c. Dress shirt (nice polo shirt, dress shirt or blouse) d. Absolutely no shorts, blue jeans or tennis shoes. 2. Please be sure to arrive at church at least 20 minutes before Mass begins. On special Masses, such as Christmas and Easter, please be at church at least 30 minutes before Mass begins. a. The last pew on either side in the back of church is reserved for ushers. b. If there are not any greeters, please be sure to greet parishioners and visitors as they arrive. c. The Priest will provide any special instructions (i.e. 2 nd Collection) minutes prior to the start of Mass. 3. Gift bearers are usually family members of who the Mass intention is for. If there is no one from the family in church, then the ushers will need to ask someone to take up the gifts. 4. Know where there are empty pews or seats. Ushers will need to help parishioners and visitors find seating if the church is getting full. a. Watch for people coming in late ~ take then down the aisle to an open pew. Please do not push them in to a full pew when there is room up front. Be sure to walk people to the open pew ~ do not simply point. Note: If Mass has begun, please be sure to walk people down the side aisle to provide the least disruption to the Mass.

2 b. If there are no empty pews, especially during Christmas and Easter Masses, extra chairs may be set up in the side aisles in the front half of church. Two chairs per row is the maximum ~ be sure they are in line with the pews. Chairs are located in the church lower level. 5. Taking up the collection: a. After the Prayers of the Faithful (petitions) are done and people sit down, the ushers will walk down the center aisle to the altar and bow. b. The first usher on each side will then go around to the side aisle. c. Begin passing the collection basket down the row. d. Once done, the contents of all baskets should be dumped into one basket. Choose one usher to take the collection to the altar. e. The usher will then walk down the center aisle to the gift table and waits with the gift bearers for the altar server with the cross. The formation to the altar should be: i. Altar server with cross ii. Usher with collection iii. Gift Bearers f. The Priest will take the collection basket from you and give it to an altar server to place next to the pillar by the server s chair. g. Wait until the Priest has taken the gifts from the gift bearers. The Priest will say Thank You ; all will bow, and then walk back to their pew. 6. Second Collections will be rare, but when they are needed, the Priest will make an announcement after Communion. a. Follow steps 4a. 4d. b. The usher will then walk down the side aisle and place the 2 nd Collection basket by the other next to the server chair behind the ambo. c. Walk back to pew down the side aisle. 7. At the end of mass, the ushers will help the greeters to hand out bulletins. a. Bulletins are in a tote in the cry room. b. There should be one usher at each exit to distribute bulletins. c. Every person/family should get a bulletin. Extra bulletins should be put back in the tote in the cry room. Note: Only after the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass should extra bulletins be placed by on the tables by the doors and elevator. 8. Once done handing out bulletins, make sure the church is cleaned up. a. Straighten out books in pews. b. All kneelers should be put up. c. Pick up any garbage (i.e. tissues, cereal left by infants, etc.). d. Make sure doors/windows are closed and lights are turned off. At times you may be asked to help with someone who is ill or disabled ~ please try to help the best you can. If you are unable to keep your scheduled time, please be courteous and find a replacement. If you cannot find a replacement, please call the rectory to inform the Priest or leave a message.

3 Being a Lector Thank you for volunteering to speak for God! There are two lectors ~ Reader 1 and Reader 2. Reader 1 will read the 1 st Reading and the Prayers of the Faithful (petitions). Reader 2 will carry in the book of the Gospels and read the 2 nd Reading. There are also a few things to remember: Music leaders will do the welcome and announce the songs. Readers do not process out with the Priest and servers at the end of Mass. Read slowly and clearly. Remember that you are speaking for God, and bring the people of God to life! 9. Modest dress attire must be worn a. Dress shoes or boots. Ladies ~ if wearing heels, please make sure you can walk in them. b. Dress pants (nice khaki s, black dress pants, nice black jeans). c. Dress shirt (nice polo shirt, dress shirt or blouse; no writing on shirt). d. Absolutely no shorts, blue jeans or tennis shoes. 10. Be prepared to speak for God. Take time to pre-read the readings for the day ~ practice both in case you will need to do both readings. To find the readings of the day, visit www. usccb.org and click on Readings, then select the appropriate date from the displayed calendar. If you do not have access to the internet, stop by the parish office to get a printed copy. 11. Please be sure to arrive at church at least 20 minutes before Mass begins. a. Meet in the Priest s sacristy. b. Make sure the Lectionary is on the Ambo and is open to the appropriate readings for the day. c. Reader #1 can takes the binder with the Prayers of the Faithful back to the pew with him/her. 12. If you are Reader #2: a. When carrying the Book of the Gospels into church, lift the book high (i.e. above your head). b. When at the altar, stay in the middle ~ the Priest and altar servers will go to either side of you. c. Bow when the Priest and servers bow. d. The servers will go to their assigned places. Walk up the left side of the steps to the altar, and place the Book of the Gospels face down in the center. e. Walk back down the steps and go to your pew. 13. When it is time to read: a. Reader #1 will exit the pew and walk to the center of the altar, bow, and then walk to the ambo. b. Read the first reading. The proper introduction is: A reading from the book of. i. Be sure to read slowly and clearly. Place emphasis where needed. ii. Be sure to pause after reading before you say The word of the Lord.

4 c. After the response Thanks be to God, walk down the steps to the center of the altar, bow, and return to the pew. d. After the Responsorial Psalm is sung, Reader #2 will follow the above steps, except after the response Thanks be to God, close the book and place it on the ambo shelf. Note: In the event that there is only one reader at Mass, the reader should step down from the ambo after the first reading and sit in the front pew during the Responsorial Psalm. After the psalm has been sung, the reader may return to the ambo for the 2 nd reading. On rare occasion the reader may also need to read the Responsorial Psalm. The reader will be informed of this before Mass. 14. When it is time to read the Prayers of the Faithful (petitions): a. Toward the end of the Profession of Faith (Creed), at the point of We believe in the Holy Spirit,, Reader #1 will exit the pew, go to the ambo and face the Priest until he gives the queue. Note: there is no need to reverence at this time. b. Once the Priest gives the queue, read the Prayers of the Faithful. c. When done, turn back to the Priest. d. When the Priest says the words through Christ our Lord, exit from the ambo and return to the pew. Remember if you are unable to keep your scheduled time, please be courteous and find a replacement. If you cannot find a replacement, please call the rectory to inform the Priest or leave a message.

5 Being a Eucharistic Minister Thank you for volunteering to give others what you have already received ~ the Body and Blood of Jesus! This is a special ministry, and the following are guidelines to help you. Things to remember: If you are unable to keep your scheduled time, please be courteous and find a replacement. If you cannot find a replacement, please call the rectory at to inform the Priest or leave a message. Modest dress attire must be worn. Note: If you are not scheduled but see that there are not enough Eucharistic ministers, please step up to help ~ even if you are not in Mass attire. o Dress shoes or boots. Ladies ~ if wearing heels, please make sure you can walk in them. o Dress pants (nice khaki s, black dress pants, or nice black jeans). o Dress shirt (nice polo shirt, dress shirt or blouse; no writing on shirt). o Absolutely no shorts, blue jeans or tennis shoes. If you cannot receive Communion, you cannot give Communion. The general rule is that there should be two cups for every person distributing the Body of Christ. Therefore, the number of Eucharistic Ministers for each Mass will be: o Saturday 6:30 p.m. ~ Five Eucharistic Ministers o Sunday 8:00 a.m. ~ Five Eucharistic Ministers Everyone who can walk will come up the center aisle to the altar to receive Communion. Those not able to come forward will receive Communion from the Priest after everyone else has come forward. Distributing the Body and Blood of Christ: 1. At the beginning of the Lamb of God, all Eucharistic Ministers should come forward and line up in front of the altar. a. It is personal preference whether or not you use hand sanitizer. If you choose to do so, it is located in the front left hand pew. b. Keep custody of your hands! c. If you have a cold, please find a substitute to distribute for you. 2. When the Priest receives the Precious Blood, walk up the steps on the right side of the altar and line up behind the Priest. a. The Priest will distribute the Body to each Minister. b. The Priest will distribute the Precious Blood to each Minister. i. The Minister who is closest to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will distribute the Body. ii. The Priest will distribute the Precious Blood to each Minister and they will they will keep the chalice and purificator. c. Once the Priest distributes to each of the Ministers, the Priest will indicate what side he will distribute on. i. The altar servers will receive first from the Eucharistic Ministers on the right side of the altar. One Minister with the blood should stay behind the Minister with the Body and the other Minister with the Blood should get in place in front of the votive candles. The other will stand in front of the ambo. ii. If there are musicians by the piano, they should receive first from the Eucharistic Ministers on the left side of the altar and then begin to play. The two Ministers with the Precious Blood should stand in front of the Presider Chair and Baptismal Font respectively.

6 iii. If there are any handicapped parishioners sitting in the front pews of church, distribute to them before the rest of the parish. The Minister with the Precious Blood closest to the Body should accompany the Priest or other Eucharistic Minister. iv. Do not distribute the Body of Christ until the Ministers with the Precious Blood are in place. v. When small children come up with parents in the communion line, or if children come up with their arms crossed over their chest, place your hand on their forehead and say God bless you and then distribute to the adult. 1. Note: Parishioners are not allowed intinction (to dip the host in the Precious Blood). If a parishioner tries to dip their host, simply place your hand over the cup and politely tilt it toward you. If the parishioner gets upset, ask them to please speak to Father. vi. After those who are able to come forward to receive communion, Father and the Minister with the Precious Blood closest to him will walk to the back of the church to distribute communion to those not able to come forward. vii. When done, the Patten should be placed on the altar next to the Priest s chalice, and the Chalices should be placed in a line on the left edge of the altar. Purificators should be neatly folded and left on the edge of the altar. Ministers can go back to their pew when done. viii. If there is any Precious Blood remaining in the chalice, Ministers should face the altar and consume what is left. If you are not comfortable and there is too much, you may leave it in the chalice for the Priest. Please consume before walking up the steps to the altar. d. Before leaving the altar or sanctuary, genuflect or bow to the altar. You may then return to your pew. e. If you would like to purify your hands once done, the purificator dish will be in the altar server sacristy on the counter by the sink. There may be a time when you are running out of hosts, a host is dropped or the Precious Blood is spilled. Below are instructions to handle these situations: If you are distributing the Body of Christ and are running low, check with Father to see if he has extra to give you. If not, break the hosts in half to distribute. If a host is dropped and the parishioner does not pick it up, the Communion distributer should pick it up and receive it themselves, or put it on the corporal (white cloth under the chalice on the altar) and Father will receive it or dispose of it. If a host fell out of someone s mouth and is sticky with saliva, pick up the host and place it in the purificator dish in the altar server sacristy to let it dissolve. Please be sure to also let Father know this has happened. The water in the purificator dish will then be dumped down the sacrarium (a special sink that drains directly into the ground rather than down the drain and into the sewer). If you are distributing the Precious Blood and if someone spills on their shirt, blouse, tie, etc. blot it off with your purificators or hand it to the communicant so they can blot it off on their own. Please try to be discrete so as not to embarrass the communicant. If Precious Blood spills on the floor, blot it up with the purificators or cover it with the purificators and then get another from the sacristy.

7 Being an Altar Server Thank you for volunteering to serve God and our parish. Below are the duties of an Altar Server that were reviewed in training. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask Fr. Tony or Fr. Patrick. May God bless you! Altar Servers need to pay attention to what is happening in the Sanctuary ~ not what is happening in the pews. Servers will need to sit up straight and not fidget or play with the cincture. Servers will use their missalettes during the Mass for singing and following along with readings. When standing at chairs, if nothing in their hand, they need to have their hands folded in prayer at the chest. Rules to remember: If you turn it on ~ turn it off. If you open it ~ close it. If you take something out ~ put it away. Dress attire must be worn Dress shoes Dress pants (nice khaki s, black dress pants, nice black jeans) Dress shirt (nice polo shirt, dress shirt or blouse) Absolutely no shorts, blue jeans or tennis shoes Please serve when you are scheduled. If you cannot serve, please be courteous and call for a substitute. If we ask for servers before Mass, please come and serve ~ do not sit in the pew waiting for someone else to go to the sacristy. Do not be afraid to make mistakes ~ if you don t know what to do, don t do anything. Watch the Priest and he will signal you and guide you through the Mass. General Steps of Serving at Mass 1. Arrive at church at least minutes prior to Mass start time. 2. Put on Vestment (Alb) a. Albs must be at least ankle length ~ clothing should not be showing. b. Cincture should be knotted and off to the left side. 3. Whenever you leave the sacristy to enter the sanctuary: a. If you are carrying something in your hands, bow to the Tabernacle. b. If your hands are empty, genuflect to the Tabernacle. 4. Altar Servers will be responsible for Mass Preparation by doing the following: a. All items needed will be placed on the table by the Server chairs or on the Gift table: i. The Book will be placed on the end of the table closest to the sacristy. ii. Priest s chalice will go next to the purificators. This chalice will have a purificator, pall, corporal and Tabernacle key on top of it. Please place one hand on top of items when carrying the Priest s chalice. iii. Four chalices go next to the book (may be carried two at a time). iv. Purificators will go next to the chalices. v. Place patens next to the Priest s chalice. vi. Place bowl and towel next to patens.

8 vii. Place water pitcher next to bowl (be careful not to spill). viii. Place water cruet next to bowl and pitcher. ix. Take gifts of bread and wine to the Gift table (located on the aisle at the back of the first section of pews on the right hand side of the church). 5. There are three chairs for the Altar Servers to sit: a. Chair #1 is located behind the Ambo. This server is responsible for carrying the cross, holding the book for the Priest, and ringing the bells during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Make sure a missalette is on chair before Mass begins. b. Chair #2 is located closest to the table. This server is responsible for setting up the Altar, receiving the gifts, and clearing the Altar after communion. c. Chair #3 is located right next to chair #2. This server shares the same responsibilities of Chair #2. 6. The Mass procession should be nice and slow ~ do not rush going down the aisle. a. Server #1 will lead the procession with the cross. i. Walk slowly. ii. Hold the cross straight and high for all to see. iii. Upon reaching the Altar, server will bow his/her head to the tabernacle and crucifix, go up the steps to put the cross in the sacristy, and then goes to Chair #1. b. Servers #2 & 3 will follow three steps behind Server #1. i. Formation of all three servers processing into church should be that of a triangle. ii. Walk slowly. iii. Have missalette open and be sure to sing along. iv. Upon reaching the Altar, servers #2 & 3 will genuflect with the Priest and Lector, go up the steps and go to their respective chairs. c. At the end of the Introductory Rite the priest will say Let us pray. This will be the queue for the server in Chair #1 to: i. Bring the book to the Priest 1. Hold the book with thumbs on the back and fingers on the bottom (if book is too heavy, lean book on chest). 2. Be still (like a tree). 3. Priest will close the book when finished reading. ii. Altar server will return book to the table and then goes back to Chair #1. iii. Altar servers #2 & 3 wait for server #1 to return to his/her chair, then all will pick up their missalettes and sit down at the same time. 7. During the Liturgy of the Word, the server in Chair #1 will turn to face the Ambo 8. During the Gospel, the servers stand and Chair #1 turns to face the Ambo. 9. During the Prayers of the Faithful (Petitions), the server in Chair #1 will again face the Ambo. 10. During the Preparation of the Gifts: a. The Priest will go to the Altar. i. The following will be taken to the Altar by the servers in Chairs 2 & 3 together. Servers will bow to the Priest before giving items to him, and after he has taken the items from them. 1. Together the server in Chair #2 will bring the book and the server in Chair #3 will bring the corporal.

9 2. Together the server in Chair #2 will bring two chalices and the server in Chair #3 will bring the Purificators. 3. Together the server in Chair #2 will bring two chalices and the server in Chair #3 will bring the Priest s chalice with Purificator. a. At this point, servers will stay at the Altar. ii. The Priest will signal the server in Chair #1 to get the cross. 1. Server will slowly walk with the cross to the gift table and turn to face the Altar. 2. Server will wait for gift bearers and usher with collection. iii. The Priest and servers #2 & 3 will prepare to receive the gifts. 1. The server in Chair #2 will go down the steps on the right side of the Altar. 2. The server in Chair #3 will follow the priest down the steps on the left side of the Altar. iv. The server in Chair #1 will slowly lead the gift bearers and usher to the Altar. Note: The order should be Server, Usher with Collection, and then Gift Bearers. 1. The server in Chair #3 will take the cross back to the sacristy, then stand by the chair with hands folded. 2. The Priest will take the collection from the usher and hand it to the server in Chair #2. a. The server will place the collection next to Chair #1 by the pillar. 3. The Priest will give the wine to the server in Chair #3. a. The server will take the wine to the table. 4. The Priest will take the bread to the table. v. Servers #2 & 3 will prepare the gifts for the Altar. 1. One server will remove the top from the wine decanter and the other server will pick up the water cruet. a. Together both servers will walk to the edge of the Altar and bow. b. The Priest will then take the wine decanter and fill the chalices, and the water cruet to add water to the Priest s chalice. c. The Priest will return the items to the servers. d. The servers will bow and return the wine and water cruet to the table. 2. One server will take the bowl and pitcher of water, and the other server will take the towel and unfold it, holding it by the corners. a. Together both servers will walk to the edge of the Altar and bow. b. The Priest will place his hands over the bowl. c. The server with the water pitcher slowly pours the water over the Priest s hands until he gently raises them, signaling the server to stop pouring. d. The Priest will take the towel to dry his hands and return it to the server.

10 e. The servers will bow and return the bowl, pitcher and towel to the table. f. The server with the towel will refold it and place it on the table. 3. Servers #2 & 3 will then stand by their chairs. b. The Priest will begin the Eucharistic Prayer i. At the Holy, Holy, Holy the Altar servers will move to the bottom of the steps and stand between the Ambo and the Altar. 1. After the Holy, Holy, Holy has finished, the servers will kneel with the rest of the congregation. ii. The bells are rung three times during the Eucharistic Prayer: 1. When the Priest extends his hands over the gifts, server #1 will ring the bells once. 2. When the Priest holds up the Body, server #1 will ring the bells three times (one turn of the wrist = one ring). 3. When the Priest holds up the Blood, server #1 will ring the bells three times (one turn of the wrist = one ring). c. During the Communion Rite: i. After the Sign of Peace, the Eucharistic Ministers will come to the front of Church and line up next to the Altar Servers. ii. After the Priest distributes Communion the Eucharistic Ministers, the Altar Servers will stand to receive Communion. 1. Once servers have received Communion they can go back to their chair and sit. d. After Communion: i. The Priest will purify the Chalice and Patten (s). 1. Altar server #2 will bring the water cruet the Altar, bow, and hand it to the Priest. 2. As the Priest completes the Purification process, servers #2 & #3 will go to the Altar, bow, take items from the Altar and return them to the Credence table. This will continue until all items have been cleared. Note: when returning the chalice with the purificators, pall, corporal and Tabernacle key, please place one hand on the top to keep the items from falling off. 3. Altar servers then return to their chairs and sit. ii. After a moment of Silence, the Priest will stand and say Let us pray. 1. The server in Chair #1 will take the book from the Credence table, bow to the Tabernacle, and take the book to the Priest. 2. After the Priest finishes the prayer, he will close the book. 3. Altar server #1 returns the book to the Credence table and remains standing by his/her chair. iii. After the Concluding Rite: 1. The Priest will signal to Altar server #1 to get the cross. 2. The Priest and Altar servers will then go to the bottom of the steps to the center of the altar. Altar server #2 will be on the left side of the Priest while Altar server #3 will be on the right. Altar server #1 will be directly behind the Priest with the cross.

11 3. The Priest and Altar servers #2 & 3 will genuflect while Altar server #1 will bow to the tabernacle. 4. All will then turn and slowly process to the back of church. 5. Altar servers will then walk back to the sacristy along the side aisle. iv. Clearing the Sanctuary: 1. Altar servers will one by one clear the Creedance Table by bringing items back into the sacristy. The Book of Gospels should also be brought in from the Ambo and placed in the Priest s sacristy on the counter. 2. Servers may then remove their Albs and place them neatly back in the closet. Please remember to put them on the hanger labeled with the appropriate size. Cintures should be neatly placed on the hanger with the others.