I was a stranger and you welcomed me'.
May the door of this church be wide enough to receive all who hunger
for love. All who are lonely for fellowship.
May it welcome all who have cares to unburden, thanks to express,
hopes to nurture. May the doors of this church be narrow enough to shut
out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity.
May this sanctuary welcome all who seek serenity, renewal, and
truth; may it be, for all of us, the gateway to a richer and more
meaningful life.
As our parish continues to grow we are challenged to find ways to
continue to be a welcoming people. As a simple gesture some parishioners
have been invited to be in the Narthex to welcome new and visiting people.
However, welcoming is not the task of the few but of all of us!
In his
letter to the Romans, St Paul tells us to welcome one another as Christ
welcomes us. A group of parishioners has agreed to welcome people as
they arrive for Mass on Sunday. This is an important ministry, and if you
would like to help, please contact the presbytery.
There
will be a Parish Ministry Day for Welcomers on Saturday June 21st
2008 from 10.30 am until 1.00 pm.
From a letter to Parish
Welcomers, December 2007
... Thank you for all your hard work over the last three
months. ... You will be pleased to see that we have some new members to
swell our ranks. I have tried where possible to put the newcomers on with
someone more experienced so that they can learn the ropes.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of
the guidelines for welcoming parishioners to the Church.
 |
Please try to arrive at the Church at least fifteen
minutes before the beginning of Mass. |
|
Your Ministry is to welcome all who come into the
Church. A simple greeting, with a smile, helps to put people at ease and
makes them feel welcome. Consider that besides our parishioners, there are
visitors, newcomers, strangers ... who come to celebrate the Sunday Mass
with the Sacred Heart Family. |
|
Do offer assistance to the elderly or disabled, to
families with young children, and information to those who are perhaps
visiting, or new to the Parish. ... |
|
Offer the Mass Book, Hymn-book and Newsletter, keeping
in mind that some people prefer to listen to the Readings. |
|
Join the Congregation before Holy Mass starts. |
|
If you are unable to be present on the Sunday allocated
to you, please ask a fellow welcomer to take your place. |
