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
 

 

  

• Masks are optional for fully vaccinated people.  Signage will be displayed at all Church Entrances
• No more weekend Mass registration required
• Hand sanitization upon entering church is not required but Greeters will encourage Parishioners to use the Sanitizing Dispensers as they welcome them into the church
• Eliminate hand sanitizing before communion in the church
• Greeters will still continue to sanitize hands for the Drive In masses given there are no sanitizing stations
• Greeters will continue to “gate” for communion to help with social distancing and flow
• We will continue one single line for communion, but 5 EOMs + presider (2 additional EOMs) – 4 stations
• Updated Call To Worship that will briefly share some of the updates so those coming back will know our guidelines
• Music ministers will be singing
• Printed worship aids will be available for Parishioners to pick up and take with them
• Kneelers no longer required to be put down for sanitizing and will be removed from Presider comments at the end of mass

• Weekend Mass times and locations remain the same for the Church and Drive In masses
• Blue arrows for communion flow remain on carpet for those returning to the church
• Narthex Doors will continue to remain open to keep air moving
• Eucharistic ministers are to wear masks. Face shields are optional
• Greeters will continue to sanitize worship space daily
• Seating in every other pew to ensure social distancing for those who may not feel comfortable or have not yet received the vaccine
• White ribbons remain at this point until we are comfortable in our new processes

1. Greeters are no longer required to support Reconciliation unless there is a Liturgical Service in the church.  If moved to Koenig Center, we will need a Greeter to open and close the door.
2. We have adjusted the number of Greeters to 2 for the 6:30 AM mass and 2 for the 8:30 AM mass.
3. Updated Greeter Ministry coverage model for Weekend masses
   • Church – 4 Greeters (one for each door) and 1 Captain
   • Drive In masses – 5 Greeters and 1 Captain 
4. Please make sure you are arriving 30 minutes prior to mass for your assignments
5. Starting with this weekend Masses (church) the bringing of the gifts procession will take place (but only bread and wine)
6. Sacristan to assist with finding a family prior to each Mass
7. Baptismal fountain with holy water will be available 
8. Call of Worship for church Masses will only include the following
   •  Face masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated 
   •  Greeters will no longer be sanitizing hands prior to receiving communion, but they will continue to help with social distancing and flow.

LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

 SPECIAL MASSES REGISTRATION

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

Please contact Jasmine Sosa  at jsosa@stjoseph-libertyville.org 

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