One of the blessings of this parish, that unfortunately, I have not found or developed in other parishes, is the "Welcoming Committee" that is headed up now by Art and Marna Morissette. They, and a number of volunteer couples, offer to visit new parishioners' homes, tell them all about Sacred Heart Parish, encourage them to get involved in the ministries and activities we offer here, and answer any questions our newcomers might have. In addition, we have started having a Newcomers Dinner here at Sacred Heart twice a year where the newcomers can meet each other along with the leaders of ministries and activites here to be encouraged, once again, to get involved.
Hospitality toward newcomers doesn't start or end with parishioners as I have, so far, mentioned. It is up to all of us to have a welcoming demeanor to people we don't know both at church and at our parish gatherings. We all enjoy being around people we all know, and I am pleased that we have so many opportunities for parishioners to encounter one another. It is important though, that new parishioners are welcomed into the lives of our current parishioners so that we can all grow in our relationship as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
One reality in our parish on the other end, is the departure of parishioners to other places due to deteriorating health, the loss of a spouse to death, and other reasons why people leave us. I ask if you are leaving the parish to move to another city and parish, that you let me know so that I can say "Farewell" and give you a parting blessing, and let the church office people know so that your name can be taken off the parish rolls.
Life is all about "Hello's" and "Goodbye's" which can be tough to do. My hope is that I, and others, are striving to be the hospitable people God calls us to be every day, and that we all rejoice that our connection through Baptism is not just for a time, but for all eternity. A new song that we are soon going to start singing at Mass is "Companions On the Journey." Please pay attention to those words as we sing them and let them reflect that reality in our day-to-day lives no matter where the Lord takes us in life!
Hospitality toward newcomers doesn't start or end with parishioners as I have, so far, mentioned. It is up to all of us to have a welcoming demeanor to people we don't know both at church and at our parish gatherings. We all enjoy being around people we all know, and I am pleased that we have so many opportunities for parishioners to encounter one another. It is important though, that new parishioners are welcomed into the lives of our current parishioners so that we can all grow in our relationship as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
One reality in our parish on the other end, is the departure of parishioners to other places due to deteriorating health, the loss of a spouse to death, and other reasons why people leave us. I ask if you are leaving the parish to move to another city and parish, that you let me know so that I can say "Farewell" and give you a parting blessing, and let the church office people know so that your name can be taken off the parish rolls.
Life is all about "Hello's" and "Goodbye's" which can be tough to do. My hope is that I, and others, are striving to be the hospitable people God calls us to be every day, and that we all rejoice that our connection through Baptism is not just for a time, but for all eternity. A new song that we are soon going to start singing at Mass is "Companions On the Journey." Please pay attention to those words as we sing them and let them reflect that reality in our day-to-day lives no matter where the Lord takes us in life!