Welcoming attitude among usher's responsibilities

There were a number of reasons Joseph Purtell decided to become an usher at St. Mary's Church in Amsterdam nearly 30 years ago. But making sure his wife Theresa and all nine of their children could sit in the same pew together was NOT one of them!

"I guess you could say it was just part of my upbringing, the way my mother taught me, to go to Mass each Sunday in the best clothes I own and to do a little something to try to help others in some way," explained Mr. Purtell. "I've always felt that being an usher is an honor. It feels good to greet people and make them feel welcome."

St. Mary's has about 24 ushers who assist at the six weekend Masses. Like Mr. Purtell, they arrive early to make sure parishioners and visitors are greeted, and have bulletins in their hands prior to taking their seats.

Guide to pews

Mr. Purtell likes to keep an eye out for elderly parishioners and those with small children who may need some extra help with seating. Some parents are relieved to learn St. Mary's has a "crying room" available, while others have accepted the invitation of their pastor, Rev. James Gulley, to let their little ones join in the "congregational choir."

"Father tells parents not to worry or be upset if their babies cry during Mass because that's their way of praising God," said Mr. Purtell. "This has encouraged a lot of young parents to take seats in the regular pews -- although once in a while, I still see a mother heading for the crying room in the middle of services."

To Father Gulley's way of thinking, the role filled by Mr. Purtell and other ushers at St. Mary's is a quiet, but crucial one.

"The role of an usher is, first and foremost, to welcome people -- especially strangers -- and to try to make sure that everyone finds a seat for Mass," said Father Gulley.

Other duties

Mr. Purtell's other duties include helping his fellow ushers circulate collection baskets during the Offertory -- something St. Mary's ushers do "with finesse," according to Father Gulley.

"Our ushers do such a beautiful job of taking up the collection that it is not at all distracting or disruptive to the service. They have it down to such an art that it just blends in with the Offertory," reflected Father Gulley.

There is, however, a part of the Mass where St. Mary's ushers are more noticeable by their absence: Communion time.

"Our ushers are not like storm troopers who move up and down the aisles during Communion directing people to file in and out of pews," the pastor explained. "Ours keep a very low profile. They just kind of blend into the congregation so that the Eucharistic procession will be more like a pilgrimage and so that attention isn't drawn to those who are not going to the altar to receive for some reason."

Making it work

Other behind-the-scenes workers at St. Mary's who have earned the admiration and appreciation of Father Gulley include several sacristans who set-up for the liturgy and keep things in the sacristy in order in between Masses; the 16 money counters who work in rotating teams of four to account for financial offerings to the church; and cleaners who range from individual parishioners who volunteer their time and energies to a group of 10 developmentally delayed people contracted through Liberty Enterprises.

In addition, Father Gulley feels blessed to have dedicated cantors, lectors, Eucharistic ministers and a 35-member choir.

"Our parish family includes the poorest of the poor, the richest of the rich and all that is in between. It's just a beautiful mosaic of God's people," reflected Father Gulley. "These are very unassuming people who own their faith. The fact that they feel responsible for their faith shows in their actions, in their generosity and in the fact that they are so service-minded."

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