A ministry of joy...
This ministry can also be understood as a ministry of joy. The ushers and greeters invite everyone who gathers to enter into the joy of the Lord. This means, of course, that the ushers and greeters must be in touch with that joy themselves. That's easier on some days than on others. On some Sundays, we may have to push ourselves to manifest the joy of Christ; but when we do that, we benefit as much as those whom we greet. The conversation between an arriving worshiper and an usher or greeter is often very brief, especially as the time for worship nears and the number of people arriving increases. But brief doesn't have to mean superficial.
…and care.
If you see someone whose spouse is ill, you might ask how he or she is doing. If you greet someone who is out of work, you might inquire how he or she's holding up. If you welcome someone who has recently lost a loved one, offering a word of sympathy may be very appropriate. If you greet someone whose child is away at school, you might ask if they have heard from the child and how he or she's doing. In other words, what's most appropriate is the kind of conversation that says, “I care about you and your loved ones." This kind of conversation makes evident the love of Christ that binds us to one another. It's much more powerful than idle talk about sports, or the weather.
Ushers' duties before people arrive
The work of the Minister of Hospitality begins even before the assembly begins to gather for worship. Good hospitality requires attention to the physical space into which people will be welcomed. When you know that visitors are coming to your house, you pick up, dust and vacuum so that your guests will enjoy their visit. Although ushers usually aren't responsible for dusting, vacuuming, and putting away things that clutter the gathering space, it's often needed. The roles of the usher and greeter are crucial ministries for the worshiping community. Those who serve in these capacities have the potential to add greatly to the experience of worship for all who gather. Like the Good Shepherd, they reveal God's love in our midst and help us become more aware of that love. May the Good Shepherd give them strength and wisdom as they serve the flock in his name.
What do I need in order to be a Minister of Hospitality?
There are a few prerequisites for being an usher/greeter.
- Be a registered member of St. Anne and possess Called to Protect certification with the diocese.
- Be a baptized and confirmed member of the Catholic Church who regularly receives Communion.
- Be a reliable person, and accountable for their duties.
- Be a friendly and outgoing person who has a welcoming presence.
- Be a person who is adaptable and able to think at a moment's notice for any changes that present themselves.
- Attend all ongoing formation opportunities offered by St. Anne.
Activities, Events, News, and Information
Rudy Gaitan
Dear friends,
Judy Gaitan, along with their children, Andrew and Sara, want to share with us the passing of their beloved husband and father, Rudy. Rudy passed away on Thursday and it has been a great shock to Judy, Andrew and Sara. They ask for your prayers and support in the days to come.
Rudy was a lifelong parishioner of St. Anne and he and Judy raised their family here. Over the past 45 years we have had the joy of watching their family live, love and grow here in our parish. They have served our parish family so faithfully over these years. Rudy will be so greatly missed
Rudy’s viewing will take place here at St. Anne on Wednesday, June 20th at 6pm with Rosary to follow at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, June 21st at 11am. Internment will follow the Mass at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Mesa.
A funeral luncheon will follow the internment at St. Anne Parish Hall.
Eternal rest grant unto Rudy, O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon him…
THANK YOU!
Greetings, all! Thank you all so much for your participation in our Farewell Party for Fr. David and Fr. Dan! Your love and care for them was so evident in all that you did! So glad that we could send them off to their new callings with such affection and love!
BEST PARISH EVER!!
photo credit: Wanda Guercio Castro
Ushers, Gift Bearers and Greeters for Holy Week
Holy Week and Easter Sunday are coming up and we need volunteers to help with the Masses.This includes ushers, greeters and gift bearers.For each of these Masses: we will need minimal 9 ushers to assist in seating people and collections (an additional 4 ushers for Masses in the Hall), 3 greeters to greet and point guest in the right direction, also two to three gift bearers for each Mass.The Schedule is as follows:Thursday, March 29th 7 p.m.-Mass of the Lords Supper (Gift bearers have been selected)
Friday, March 30th, 3 p.m. Veneration of the Cross5 p.m. Viacrucisen Espanol/Way of the Cross in Spanish (contact Sister Angeles sisterangeles@stanneaz.org)Saturday, March 31st 8PM Easter Vigil Mass (Gift bearers have been selected)April 1st Easter Sunday Mass Schedule6 a.m. English (Church)8 a.m. English (Church)8 a.m. English (Hall)10 a.m. English High Mass (Church)10 a.m. English (Hall)12 p.m. Spanish (Church)(contact Sister Angeles sisterangeles@stanneaz.org)
Please remember to dress appropriately, no jeans, teeshirts or tennis shoes.Please reply to this post or contact Ray Casillas at rayc@stanneaz.org or for Spanish Masses contact Sister Angeles at sisterangeles@stanneaz.org
Ash Wednesday - Ushers Needed
This week begins Lent. We are in need of ushers to help serve our St Anne family during the four liturgies for Ash Wednesday. If you are currently an active Greeter or Usher please help us by filling in the needed roles. If you are looking to help serve as a greeter or Usher, you are needed as well! Please contact Ray Casillas through the City or by emailing rayc@stanneaz.org.
Mass times for Ash Wednesday Feb. 14th
6:15 AM English
12:00 Noon English
6:00 PM English
8:00 PM Spanish
Sunday's Theme is Hospitality--Means What to Me?
So how can you take this Sunday theme to heart and put it into practice? Hospitality is a Christian form of charity. St. Benedict wrote in his Rule of Order that his monks should receive the stranger as Christ himself. We follow that rule in our Christian faith communities. We make welcome visitors regardless of race, color or creed. The inspired writer of Hebrews 13:2 warns Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. The first reading and the Gospel deal with hospitality and the welcoming of the stranger who is God/Christ Himself. The second reading, while it deals primarily with suffering, at the very least reminds us that welcoming the stranger may sometimes call us to inconvenience ourselves or even be unpopular or misunderstood for the sake of showing hospitality to others.
Wouldn’t you like to see St. Anne’s be a more welcoming parish? Wouldn’t it be great if someone greeted you when you came to Mass? How about you stepping up? While this is a small step, it is an important one and one most can do easily by coming to Mass early, which is particularly true for lectors and EEM’s. Take a door for which there is no greeter and just open the door, smile and welcome your brothers and sisters. We could also use more outgoing, helpful ushers; you can volunteer there, too. While everyone should volunteer for a ministry that suits them, here is an opportunity which only requires being part of the St. Anne community, although we would like to find someone to take charge as well. Please consider it.
