Ushers Association

In the beginning, Volunteers spontaneously came forward to offer their services whenever required. In 1964, for the 38th International Eucharistic Congress held in Mumbai, there was a request from the Archbishop’s House for Volunteers from the parishes of Mumbai to offer their assistance at the various services/functions held during the Congress. Thus was the formation of the Ushers Association at St Peter’s parish.

Remarkably, the Ushers’ group has no regular meetings or committee. However, whenever required, they serve willingly and silently. A list of names with telephone numbers is maintained. Whenever there is a request for Ushers, other than the normal services, they are contacted, at times even at short notice, and their response is praise worthy.

Perhaps the Ushers are noticed only at the Lenten and Christmas outdoor services, when they are in charge of different blocks of seats, assisting people to vacant seats, distributing leaflets and gently guiding the faithful during the distribution of the Holy Eucharist. They also help at various church functions like for Christ the King procession, etc. Besides this, their assistance is sought during the novena and festive week of Our Lady of the Mount. Other organizations request our assistance for their functions or services.

Many ushers who were in their youth at the inception of this association are now senior citizens and many have gone to their heavenly reward. A few years, many Confirmation candidates volunteered as ushers to fulfill their service commitment and some are still with the Ushers Group. More recently, the service commitment is no longer compulsory, and the volunteers have dwindled. The Ushers Group looks forward to having more volunteers, particularly the youth, to come forward and help at parish functions, mainly at Sunday Mass collection and the main service.

Volunteers may get in touch with Fr Francis Juan on telephone no. 26423098 or Walwyn D’Souza on 26429468.