Female Ushers

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Why is it that (at least in my region) there are no female ushers? It seems like women are into just about every other non-clerical role in and out of the Liturgy, why have they not gone into ushering?
 
Most of the ushers in our parish have also been members of the Knights of Columbus. However, in the past couple of years we now have at least two female ushers.
 
I cannot think of a parish in which we have worshipped regularly over the last 30 years that has not had female ushers, I assume it just depends on where you live. 20 of those years were in NE Ohio
 
puzzleannie said:
I cannot think of a parish in which we have worshipped regularly over the last 30 years that has not had female ushers, I assume it just depends on where you live. 20 of those years were in NE Ohio
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Wow! :eek: I can’t think of any parish I’ve been to anywhere over the last 30 years that has had a single female usher!
 
the mass I normally attend has two female ushers and two male ushers (two ushers for the center aisle and two ushers for the side aisles)
 
I think it probably just got started that way–all male ushers–and tended to remain that way. Maybe women didn’t even volunteer for that. In my parish that was the case until a few years ago. There was never a formal policy either way. But now probably about 1/3 of the ushers are women.
 
At my parish the ushers are mostly Knights of Columbus. There are some women ushers also–I think husbands and wives usher together. I have no idea why or how people chose or are selected for the services they do. I know that the EMHCs are selected by the pastor. Cantors need to audition, but I assume other jobs are self-selected. Since we have a total of 6 Sunday Masses, I have no idea how many men vs women serve in each capacity at each Mass. :whacky:
 
Once or twice I’ve been drafted to help out with the collection. I try to move quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, our ushers are not known for speed and efficiency. 🤷

It’s no big deal, really, to help out as usher. If the regular crew does not show up, as has happened on a couple of occasions, then, you step up to the plate and help as best you can, regardless of gender.
 
We only have a few female ushers. I wouldn’t like wearing their uniform. The slacks and jackets seem to have a masculine cut which isn’t too flattering on women. In another parish I saw a skirt and blazer that looked a lot better. (Not as intimidating!)
 
Gianna17 said:
We only have a few female ushers. I wouldn’t like wearing their uniform. The slacks and jackets seem to have a masculine cut which isn’t too flattering on women. In another parish I saw a skirt and blazer that looked a lot better. (Not as intimidating!)
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They have a uniform? Is this general in the USA?
 
I have never seen, nor want to see female ushers in our diocese.
 
In one of my former parishes, we had a few female ushers. Them when a new pastor came, he “fired” some of the veteran male ushers and installed female ushers, one of whom was the new Head Usher’s live-in girlfriend. The pastor could not understand why some people were scandalized.
 
ArthurQArch said:
I have never seen, nor want to see female ushers in our diocese.
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I never want to see ushers of either sex in my diocese. We’ve managed without them for 1600 years or so, why start now? 😃

BTW are ushers an American invention? Do other parts of the Catholic world have them, too?
 
I grew up thinking Catholic churches had ushers (males, who wore red blazers) to take up the collection in long-handled baskets, while protestants passed a small basket hand to hand, and their ushers (men and ladies in blue blazers) were mostly greeters. Was faintly scandalized to come here and see many parishes, also the basilica, passing the basket. When I first saw a teleevangelist in one of those mega satellite churches, and ushers (men in business suits that made them look vaguely like mafia henchmen) collecting with long handled baskets, all my preconceptions were overthrown.
 
Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen a female usher. Actually, now that I think about it further, I’ve never seen an usher who isn’t an older Italian man with gray hair and a dark-colored suit on…that’s how you know I’m from New Jersey.
 
Wow!!! We have both male and female ushers at my Parish. We do not wear ‘uniforms’ or anything special except a name tag that says “Usher”.
What surprises me is how many posts stated they did not want ‘female ushers’… well why? If someone is doing a service to the Church why would it matter what there gender is.
 
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