Evangelization
Begins with Hospitality
A couple of months ago I described
some simple steps that can be taken to make people feel more welcomed into
your parish. Based on the response I received, it seems that more needs
to be said on this topic. Hospitality is a first step toward evangelization.
If someone decides to "try out" your parish because they're new in the
area and are looking for a spiritual home, what will help them decide that
you are what they're looking for?
This might be the time to start an
evangelization group. One of their functions would be to station themselves
in the vestibule before Mass starts. A counter would be ideal, but even
a small table would work. A sign reading "Visitors/Newcomers Welcome Table,"
or something to that effect, could draw the attention of new people coming
in. The person at the table could answer questions, give directions, take
down the name and contact information of the new attendee, give out some
printed information about the parish, and then introduce them to someone
in the community with whom they can sit for the liturgy.
Some parishes give out cards for
free coffee and donuts (or bagels, or whatever your parish offers) after
Mass. The "oldtimers" can escort the visitors to the hall or wherever the
community gathers so they don't have to go alone.
Then, after that Sunday, a letter
from the pastor welcoming them to the parish is a good followup. An invitation
can be sent for community events, even including an offer to pick them
up so they don't have come alone. Some parishes do follow-up phone calls
or even visits. Some take homemade goodies as a welcome gift.
Of course, the presider's words and actions can make people feel welcome
or not. One of the important topics in the book, "Nurturing
Spiritual Depth in Christian Worship: Ten Practices" deals
with making everyone feel included. The book, "Leading
the Assembly in Prayer: A Practical Guide for Lay and Ordained Presiders,"
also deals with the formation of a prayer leader who relates to the members
of the assembly.
These are a few of the ideas I've
encountered. I'm sure many of you have more to suggest. Please email me
and let me know and I'll share them through this newsletter. Email Caroline
Thomas at caroline@rpinet.com.
Liturgical Bits
& Bytes for the Bulletin and Beyond
If you have been getting the "Liturgical
Bits & Bytes" in this newsletter, but didn't sign up at
the beginning, you can subscribe
to all the archives online. The new ones will be added as they become
available. It is easy to include them in the bulletin or other parish media.
Week 1:
FATHER'S DAY
Although not a liturgical feast,
we remember the fathers of our community on the third Sunday in June. Father's
Day is a day set aside in their honor. The opening prayer for the liturgy
addresses God as a “father, guide and protector of people.” In the alternate
prayer we pray to God “whose fatherly love keeps us safe.” The "Book of
Blessings" has a special blessing for the fathers of the community at the
end of Mass. We thank them for the ways that they have been examples
of God’s ever-present love. We also pray for one another that we
can be better children of God by the ways we live out what we proclaim.
Week 2:
VACATION
This is vacation time for many people.
You can always tell by the number of people who are away during the summer.
Vacations are times when we can relax and reflect and enter into a new
kind of pace that will help us see our lives in a different way. Jesus
says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and
I will refresh you." Vacation time, wherever it is taken, can and should
be a time to be RE-CREATED. We certainly see it as a time to be renewed
physically ... how about spiritually? Perhaps we could make a special effort
to welcome those people who are in our midst as vacationers, visitors,
or tourists. And, if you're planning to be away, check with www.masstimes.org
to locate the nearest Sunday Mass near your vacation spot. The lazy, hazy
days of summer can be a time to experience the touch of the Lord in a unique
kind of way.
Week 3:
FREQUENT COMMUNION
Today nearly everyone at Mass receives
Holy Communion. Did you know that this was not always the case? In the
beginning everyone present at the Eucharist received Holy Communion but
this situation did not last. For a variety of reasons people began to receive
Communion less frequently until, at many Masses, only the priest received
Communion. The Church tried to reverse this trend by laws. Thus in 1215
it was the law to receive Communion at least once a year at Easter.
It was Pope Pius X who strongly encouraged
frequent Communion in 1905. In 1910 he lowered the age for first reception
of Holy Communion. In 1953 and 1964 the laws requiring fasting from midnight
were relaxed. In 1973 permission was given to receive Communion even more
than once a day if a person participated in two Masses for different occasions.
Perhaps it is important to remember
that the purpose of the Eucharist is not to change the way we worship so
much as to change the people who worship. We who gather at the table of
the Lord are called to eat and drink the Lord’s Body and Blood so that
we might be transformed into Christ.
Week 4:
WORD OF GOD
Christ IS the Word. Christ is present
in the Word proclaimed at liturgy. When Catholics used to speak of the
"real presence" what was meant was Christ present in the Eucharist.
Vatican II expanded the meaning of "real presence" to include, among other
things, the real presence of Christ in the proclaimed Word during liturgy.
If we believe that, how do we respond? If Christ truly is speaking through
the Scriptures as the "Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy" declares, how
do we pay attention? Although Missalettes are necessary for those who are
hard of hearing, and helpful to those who are not familiar with the structure
of the liturgy or the prayers, most of us need to be careful not to let
the missalettes interfere with our listening to the proclaimed Word. The
Word is meant to be heard in an interactive way. Eye contact with the reader
is sometimes as important as hearing each word. There are times when the
faith and enthusiasm of the reader is one of the most important parts of
the communication. The readers are asked to look out at the assembly when
they read. There is nothing more disconcerting than looking out at the
community and seeing no one looking back, but only the tops of heads. Assist
the reader, lector, deacon, or priest in their ministry of proclaimer.
Look attentive.
The above four inserts
have been prepared by Fr. Richard Husted, OFM and pastoral liturgist and
ministry consultant Caroline Thomas for use by everyone who receives this
Ministry
Resource Update. Fr. Richard's input is also being used for the
main section of the Ministry Resource Update. Please feel
free to forward this update to anyone you think would find it helpful. |
