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WORSHIPby Liz Montes, Editor, CTL |
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| Christmas is approaching. Already you may
be hearing the groans of your weekly parishioners bemoaning
the semi-annual onslaught of the "Christmas Catholics." You
recognize them. They were there last Easter. This is an
opportunity for some real "welcoming" theology for the
assembly. What is the incarnation all about anyway? Jesus --
God -- became man for everyone. This is a time to make the
occasional Catholic feel so welcome, so engaged, that he or
she or the entire family will want to return the following
week. It is a positive challenge for the entire parish.
You and the assembly are welcoming not only the Christ-child but all those "others" who come to welcome the Christ-child. Keep the liturgical celebrations simple and joyful. Redouble your efforts at hospitality with "Christmas welcomers" of every age. Recruit families to greet other families arriving for Christmas Masses. Sing familiar and simple music. Provide user-friendly worship aids. Include welcome cards in the pews, multilingual if that is appropriate. Make your homily a welcoming one. Include your feelings that the assembly is enriched by the presence of all those who have come and diminished when they are not there to share their incarnational gifts with the community. |
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