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.

Welcome Back Plan

Nic Prenger Solutions is offering free and paid resources for a Welcome Back Plan that celebrates a return to Mass and commemorates what we have experienced during the pandemic.   To view the introductory webinar and resources, click here.

Other Resources

Priest’s welcome:

Here is an example of welcoming video from Father Gary Dowsey, pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

At the start of his homily on March 7, 2021, Father Arthur Proulx, Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, provides a warm welcome to his congregation that also might encourage his livestream audience to return to Mass:

Fr Proulx Welcoming Message from Diocese of St. Petersburg on Vimeo.

Top 5 Ways of Welcoming from Diocese of St. Petersburg on Vimeo.