Greeter Ministry

With warm words of welcome, those who minister as greeters strive to serve the parish by helping to set the tone for the community prayer.  Those who serve in this ministry are the face of the community for all who are new to our parish and the voice of welcome to all. You can help nourish the love of Christ in others, through your work with the Greeter Ministry.


 

We are in need of volunteers between the ages of 18-65 with no underlying health conditions.
Please fill out the form below and a member of our parish staff will be in touch with you soon. 

Mass Greeter Duties include:

• Escort Mass attendees to their pews. 
• Provide support/logistics for parishioners during the celebration of the mass or service
• Provide support/logistics for parishioners after the celebration of the mass or service

We created an updated YouTube (Thank You Anna, Brandon and Rita) of the process for you to view to help with the application:
 
https://youtu.be/oyrN8xpRrR0   
 
Process and thoughts on how to Sanitize Church:
 
Prior to mass starting:

• Only those trained are allowed to Mix the Sanitizing Product
• Usual station assignments prior to mass starting for all Greeters
• New Atomizing Sanitizer and the benefits of speed and how in 3-10 minutes 99% of bacteria and virus killed. No more bending and running out of wipes!
• New units are quiet, light, and manufactured for sanitizing and easy to use
• Captain and/or designate will utilize the Atomizer Sanitizers
• Continue to have one Greeter “highlight” where parishioners are sitting (need to make sure we have the kneelers down so they are sanitized)

 
After Mass has ended:

• Captain and/or designate wait for parishioners to exit church (at least majority)
• Using the highlighted sheet the Greeter assigned to the each section ensures that all the kneelers are down so that all areas of the pew are able to be sanitized
• Captain and/or designate divide the church in two sections (use baptismal font and center isle) and begin sanitizing the pews where parishioners where seated (this process goes really fast now!)
• The process works best and goes most quickly if the Greeter sanitizing the pews simply walks up and down the isles (NOT Entering the Pews) sanitizing half the pew from the isle (per the video)
• Greeter follows the sanitizing and puts the kneelers back up (per the video)
• The application does not have to be heavy.  You can see the mist and just make sure it is applied (do not use too much as a little does a lot)  should dry within 3-5 minutes. 
• For weekend masses, all other greeters will go to their section and while the church is being sanitized, the greeters will be using the sanitizing wipes to sanitize hand rails, exit door handles, tops of mounted sanitizers and other areas that may have been touched while the church is being sanitized.
• If Greeter notices that one of the highlighted pews where someone sat did not put kneeler down and hence not sanitized by atomizer, use wipe to sanitize (should be the exception but does happen and that is why we highlight)
• Make sure Atomizing Sanitizers are ready for next mass (fill atomizing sanitizers, and make sure chargers are unplugged overnight)
  • We are working on timers to assist in keeping them charged but not overcharged per the instructions
  • In meantime, the 6:00 am Greeter Captain will plug them in to charge, and the 8:30 am Greeter Captain unplugs after private prayer at 9:30am
  • For the weekend masses, Greeter Captains will plug them in when we get there and unplug when we leave (that should provide enough of a charge)
  • There must be at least 2 Green lights on the Atomizer for it to work properly
• NOTE:  For 8:30 am daily mass and private prayer, we have decided that sanitizing will occur AFTER private prayer
  • At least one Greeter should remain to help sanitize the church
  • Allows for those in private prayer to pray without us working around them and disturbing them

 
Highlights and Benefits:

• No more bending and wiping kneelers
• Fast process that is effective in destroying the virus and bacteria
• FAST and Efficient

 
Here are a few pictures of the new Atomizing Sanitizers we are using:
 
Sanitizer placement in Greeter Room and Charging (should not be charged overnight per safety instructions)

 
Location in Greeter Room:
 

 
Only those Trained should be Mixing the Sanitizing Product
 

 

Click the Links Below To Register



 SPECIAL MASSES REGISTRATION

Weekly Greeter Message | JANUARY 18

LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

Visit this link to login the Greeter Ministry Schedule: 
https://secure.rotundasoftware.com/p/web-terminal/login/StJosephLibertyville?

Q1. Can I just watch/shadow someone before I volunteer ?
Currently, the training consists of a presentation going over guidance given by the  Archdiocese of Chicago and how we've implemented this at St. Joseph.Then you'd be welcome to shadow another greeter at mass as a way to supplement your training. 



Q2. Can I work only at indoor masses?/Can I work only at outdoor masses?
Yes. With the expansion of the weekend Mass schedule, there are opportunities to match volunteer preferences.

Q3. Can my spouse and I volunteer as a team?
Yes. You might not be working side by side the entire Mass, but you could certainly be Greeters at the same Masses.   

Q4. If I sign up, what’s the minimum number of masses I need to volunteer at?
While there is not a minimum number of masses, but we do expect Greeters to sign up and volunteer if they get trained.

Q5. How far in advance do you have to volunteer?
We are targeting a system that will allow you to volunteer for a month at a time.

Q6. Can I just do 6:30 mass and no other time?
You could definitely just be a Greeter Minister for the 6:30 AM mass. 

Q7. Is it OK if I volunteer but I can’t stay after mass to sanitize the pews?
One of the key roles is the Sanitizing of the Pews and Church after each Liturgical Service. If you are not able to Sanitize, it will mean the other Greeter (especially for 6:30 AM mass would have to do it all by themselves).

Q8.  How many more months will Greeters be needed?
We are completely focused on making access to the church and liturgy available in accordance with Archdiocese of Chicago guidelines.  We will continue with current protocols until the Archdiocese provides updates.

Q9.  I'm not good with computers.  What kind of training will I get?
In addition to the introductory training, at every Mass, there will be an experienced Greeter to answer any questions.  Teamwork is key.­­­­




      Q10. How can I get involved?           Click Here