When someone calls your parish and no one is available to answer the phone, what is the message that the caller hears? Does your message reflect the hospitality, joy and love that is a hallmark of the Catholic faith? Is the voicemail current with updated Mass times and emergency contact information?

We urge you to take the time to listen to and evaluate your voice greeting and be sure to change it often so it reflects the liturgical calendar.

1. The speaker of the greeting should speak slowly and enunciate so that the message is clearly heard.
2. If your parish is bilingual, there should be an option for callers of other languages to be given instructions.
3. If there are additional Mass times scheduled because of liturgical season, be sure to make that part of your greeting.

Sample voicemail script:

Thank you for calling (fill in name of church)!  May the Lord bless you this day! We are not able to answer your call at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep and we will return your call as soon as possible. Also, we hope you will join us for the celebration of Mass (insert Mass times here). May the peace of Christ be with you!