"Our Lord instituted the eucharistic sacrifice as a memorial of his death and resurrection, a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity", says the Decree on the Sacred Liturgy. It continues: "The Church therefore earnestly desires that Christ's faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators."

Each of the regular Sunday Masses has its team of Ushers - their Ministry is detailed in this booklet.

The key activities performed by the ushers:

• Welcoming Mass-goers - especially visitors
• Checking the Offertory Table to ensure paten, jug of wine and three collection baskets are in place
• Appointing a team of three (ideally a family) to take the collection and present the gifts (in order of collection, wine and bread)
• Check whether there is a retiring collection – there should be separate basket out if there is one – and if so ensure someone will be outside with it at the end of Mass
• Guide the communion procession - starting from the front of the side aisle
• Tidy up after Mass (hymn books, abandoned mass, music sheets and newsletters from benches)