Canceling Usher Obligation

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crobynb

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Here is a question on a situation I am dealing with -

I have been discontent at our current 10:30 mass because of changes in our music program. (playing non-traditional music and “clapping” along to the gloria, etc . . . ) I was signed up along with my husband to be ushers the month of December at this mass. DH and I feel that we should switch to a different mass time so we are better focused for what we are there to do - worship the Lord. I find it hard to keep my heart and attitude in the right place when throughout the entire mass I am frustrated by the music. So, by moving masses I would eliminate that distraction.

My only hesitation is I feel bad/uncomfortable to ask someone else to take over our usher responsibilities for the month. Would I be out of line to do so, or should I grin and bear it for another month and switch afterwards? I am confused. Like I mentioned earlier - I am not concentrating as I should at mass and the music is really influencing my dreading of going to church which is one of the most positive things I look forward to in my life. I do not want to inconvenience anyone else at my church, nor do I want to be preoccupied with some dislike that takes away my focus on why I am there.

Advice would be appreciated. I plan to approach my priest tomorrow at evening mass should I go forward with asking for a replacement.
 
Since you’ve already been assigned for Dec., it may be easier to grin and bear it, then change Mass times in Jan. Asking someone to switch with you for a single Sunday is one thing, for a whole month, something else.
 
You say that you and your husband “were signed up” to be ushers. Does this mean someone made the decision for you without your prior knowledge and consent? Perhaps whoever signed you up can sign someone else up to take your place, hopefully providing them with some advance notice and the ability to make a decision beforehand?
 
My only hesitation is I feel bad/uncomfortable to ask someone else to take over our usher responsibilities for the month. Would I be out of line to do so, or should I grin and bear it for another month and switch afterwards?
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I wouldn’t feel bad about it, and I don’t think it would be hard to find someone else to take it. A lot of people like serving as ushers, particularly at Christmas when attendance is higher.

If you give up the usher gig now, you might never get it back. I know ushers who have served for more than 35 consecutive years.
 
We were “signed up” as in we were shorthanded on ushers and our priest approached us and asked us to help out. We did not volunteer, but there was no reason to say no. We enjoyed being able to help out and participate. Since then we have a new priest and this particular mass has had an increase in attendance now that the “lakers” are gone. (I live in an area that is heavily populated by lakes and many travelers spend summer/autumn in our area and then move back to a warmer climate. This mass empties out considerably during the warmer months, but fills back up during winter and spring) So, I do not think that there is a lack of people to fill this position just a hesitancy on my part to “pawn it off” or pass the buck.

On a side note, I was going to ask our priest to not have us scheduled on next year’s plan since we have a new baby coming. I do not want to commit to something that I may not be able to follow through with. We need to see what changes this will bring into our lives (and schedules.) Also, it would not work out very well to have both hubby and I ushering with the baby alone in the pew . . . :rolleyes: We would be willing to fill in on an as needed basis but not assigned to a specific mass time otherwise.
 
My word, what is happening these days??? Clapping during the “Gloria”??? Are you kidding me? Seriously, who “OK’s” this stuff???
 
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crobynb:
Here is a question on a situation I am dealing with -

I have been discontent at our current 10:30 mass because of changes in our music program. (playing non-traditional music and “clapping” along to the gloria, etc . . . ) I was signed up along with my husband to be ushers the month of December at this mass. DH and I feel that we should switch to a different mass time so we are better focused for what we are there to do - worship the Lord. I find it hard to keep my heart and attitude in the right place when throughout the entire mass I am frustrated by the music. So, by moving masses I would eliminate that distraction.

My only hesitation is I feel bad/uncomfortable to ask someone else to take over our usher responsibilities for the month. Would I be out of line to do so, or should I grin and bear it for another month and switch afterwards? I am confused. Like I mentioned earlier - I am not concentrating as I should at mass and the music is really influencing my dreading of going to church which is one of the most positive things I look forward to in my life. I do not want to inconvenience anyone else at my church, nor do I want to be preoccupied with some dislike that takes away my focus on why I am there.

Advice would be appreciated. I plan to approach my priest tomorrow at evening mass should I go forward with asking for a replacement.
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You need to prepare for the birthday of Jesus Christ. It’s important. Go to the other Mass.
 
Say, something came up and we cannot keep our committment for the times of the mass we volunteered for. We must attend a mass at an earlier time. Offer to usher at the earlier mass instead. This then may asuage your obvious guilty conscience and still allow you to worship in a non-distracting manner.
 
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