WELCOMING AND GREETING

Seen any good movies lately? Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville boast about their movie theaters. So do suburban multiplexes. How do you choose a favorite theater? Price, distance, programming, convenience, concessions, and comfort factor into where you will lay down your dollars. No matter where you go, chances are you notice the following things. Parking: what is the parking situation? Personnel: who serves the public? How do they treat you when you purchase the ticket and enter the theater lobby? Are the concession people friendly? I am inclined to patronize theaters that employ workers from diverse backgrounds and workers with disabilities.

People increasingly notice the decor and arrangement of space. Is the lobby attractive? Are the washrooms convenient and clean? Is the auditorium attractive and comfortable?

In short, you look for settings that are congenial and service people who are courteous. Congeniality and courtesy contribute to the enjoyment of going to the movies.

People bring these same expectations with them on the Lord's Day when they come to the liturgy. Congeniality and courtesy contribute to worship. What is the parking like? Some church properties minister well to people as they arrive, park, and proceed to the building. A pathway points to a central entry place. The beauty of the pathway communicates that people are passing over into a special place where holy mystery and grace abide. This is the house of God and the dwelling place of God's people. Increasingly church buildings include gathering areas that are both functional and beautiful, that are congenial and attractive for a people who welcome each other on the Lord's Day. Good gathering spaces foster the full, conscious, and active participation of the Assembly at baptism, weddings, and funerals.

In addition, people catch the spirit of a parish community that is gathering for worship. People who patronize movie theaters appreciate the ecclesial courtesy and kindness that are extended to them in faith communities. Visitors and first timers are especially grateful when they receive a hearty greeting and a warm welcome. Attractive gathering spaces need to be matched by attractive Christian people. In short, this call for ministers of hospitality.

Ministers of hospitality have traditionally been called ushers. These are important folks. They minister well in three ways.

First, ushers get the building ready for worship. This includes putting out hymnals and music sheets, helping with the altar breads and wine, attending to the collection baskets, and having items ready for any kind of medical emergency that might arise.

Second, ushers are people persons. They pay attention to people gathering and entering. Courtesy expressed in a smile and a word of greeting goes a long way. Ushers model the kind of hospitality that is expected in the place where heavenly mysteries are celebrated for earthlings on the journey.

Third, ushers participate in the liturgy by singing, by assisting in the smooth flow of processions, by receiving the eucharistic bread and cup, and by handing out church bulletins in a gracious manner. Ushers teach hospitality through actions of hospitality. They develop spiritually when they ask God to help them to be hospitable and when they cultivate hospitality at home, at work, and in public.