MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY

“For I was a stranger and you welcomed me”
-Matthew 25:35


The minister of hospitality  is the person chosen to reflect the warmth and welcome of Christ himself.  They are not only Ministers of Hospitality but  they also serve as Liturgical Ministers and Ministers of Evangelism.

Liturgical Ministers

• MOH are leaders as they lead the people to their seats or guide them as they offer bread and wine.
• ´They reflect the devotion, reverence and joy of encountering God in our worship service
• ´They are physically and emotionally present in the worship
• ´They are mindful that they are there to assist those who are preparing to worship God by creating a quiet and reverent atmosphere within the church

Ministers of Evangelism

• ´They are the “first face” of the church
• ´They set the tone to welcome the worshipper
• ´People who feel genuinely welcomed and helped has been ministered to and evangelized by the MOH

• ´Oldest lay ministry in the catholic church
• ´In the old testament, they were called the “gatekeepers” – a ministry so important that they were given quarters in the temple.  They open the temple every morning, provide care and protection for all precious vessels, assist in preparing food items for ritual sacrifices and guard the temple. (1 Chronicles 9)
• ´By Jesus’ time, they  were called the “temple guards” – the same men who arrested Jesus, but became interested in his message (John 7)
• ´By the 3rd century AD, a clerical order called “porters” was instituted.  They served the same purpose as the temple guards.  Their role was so important that they were included in the rite of ordination.
• ´In 1972, Pope Paul VI  abolished the order for porters and the task was given to laity

Saint Paul instructed the assembled community to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). It will often be appropriate for those commonly referred to as ushers to exercise this ministry of welcome by greeting people at the church door, making sure they are provided with all necessary books, music, and other items for the celebration, such as candles or palms, and helping them find their places.

The Ministers of Hospitality are tasked to accommodate visitors and those unfamiliar with the community and its worship may be put at ease and drawn into the celebration.  They also assist with the collection of the offerings and  assign families to bring up the gifts of bread and wine for the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

Training  and the commitment to continuing formation are prerequisite before being commissioned for this ministry.