Each person is empowered by their baptism to be welcoming. The parish is your church home and welcoming others is a great way to communicate the love of Christ. Each of us is encouraged to make everyone we meet feel welcomed, appreciated and valued.
It helps to acknowledge one another by asking questions such as: Is this the Mass you normally attend? Are you involved in ministry at the parish? How may I pray for you this week?
Let us welcome new, returning and familiar parishioners and embrace our call to be unofficial or official Hospitality Ministers of the Church .
Hospitality Resources:
The Foundational Virtue of Hospitality
On May 13th, 2021 Father Mike Muhr spoke before a group of parish administrative assistants and other parish representatives to discuss the foundational virtue of hospitality. Through storytelling, Scripture references and personal experiences, Fr. Mike shares the foundational virtue of hospitality that all Catholics can seek to practice in parish life so that all we encounter will know they are loved. A recording of his presentation is available below.
Other Resources
- Article: Catholics Need to Hear Messages of Welcome to Return to Mass
- Article: Will Mass Attendance Recover Post-Pandemic? invitation is Key, Experts Say
- Art of Hospitality PDF – PowerPoint: English – Spanish | Zoom Presentation
- Information from the Catholic Hospitality Training Institute
- Resource Toolbox from the Office of Stewardship and Development
- Catholics Come Home
- Book: Welcome to Church and Your Guide for the Mass | English and Spanish
- Father Gary Dowsey, former pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, speaks about the Mass in a welcoming way.