MEET ST. PAUL’S USHER
JERRY KULZER: Stepping Forward to Foster Parish Hospitality
W
hen we see ushers at any of our attendance count and handle any medical parishes, it seems like a fairly issues with parishioners. Jerry has had easy ministry, and it is. Ushers welcome a few cases where he has had to call an people, seat them, place the bulletins and ambulance for someone. facilitate the collection. Ushers are also there to make visitors None of these tasks require a skill besides feel welcome and answer questions. If one — a willingness to help. And that’s how a person walks in late, Jerry may even Jerry Kulzer, St. Paul’s usher, found his place help show them where the rest of their to serve. He simply loves to help. family is seated. “I give up my seat at church if When it comes to special Masses needed,” Jerry says. “I just really like to or events at St. Paul’s, Jerry is happy be helpful. I feel that’s a gift that God to step forward to do what needs to gave me.” be done. For example, this spring, he Jerry was raised Catholic and ushered at the First Communion Mass has been a member at St. Paul’s his for his grandson. whole life. About 15 years ago, Wayne “I am there anyway,” Jerry says. “If Bromenshenkel asked Jerry if he wanted I’m there, I might as well help.” St. Paul’s parishioner Jerry Kulzer to get involved in his usher group. The Jerry feels that being an usher makes has been part of the Ushers Ministry groups are assigned two months per year. him listen and be more engaged with the for the past 15 years. With a shortage of ushers due to the Mass. He would encourage others to get pandemic, Jerry agreed to take two more months in 2022. involved in a ministry that fits their skillset. “If I walk into church, I just plan to usher,” he says. “God gave me the gift of being helpful, so why not “I don’t mind it at all.” use it?” he says. “I believe being part of this ministry has Besides the obvious tasks, ushers also take an treated me well over the years.”
“God gave me the gift of being helpful, so why not use it? I believe being part of this ministry has treated me well over the years.” — JERRY KULZER
If you would like to get involved as an usher at our parishes, please call the North ACC office for Sauk Centre at 320-352-2196; the South ACC office for Belgrade, Brooten, or Elrosa at 320-254-8218; or the West ACC office for St. Alexius at 320-352-2563.
