2010 Evangelization Supplement
Hospitality is a key element of evangelization in parishes
Christ the King Parish staff members Rose Sterger, left, and Melissa Buechler of Indianapolis prepare new member welcome packets that include a rosary, holy card of St. Theodora Guérin, Mass schedule and other parish information to help newcomers connect to the faith community. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)
By Mary Ann Wyand
“Hoosier hospitality” for Catholics in central and southern Indiana means inviting and welcoming visitors to Masses and other parish activities.
It also involves staying in touch with newcomers then helping them connect with the Catholic faith through religious education programs as well as the sacramental initiation process for adults and children.
Evangelization starts with smiles and friendly greetings, said Ken Ogorek, the director of catechesis for the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.
“We can’t overstate the importance of just being friendly to folks when they visit your parish,” Ogorek said. “There is certainly more to evangelization than being friendly, but without a warm and welcoming community any other
evangelization efforts are only going to go so far. This not only applies to parishioners at Sunday Mass, but also to parish staff members, who may interact with any number of visitors over the course of a typical week.”
Successful evangelization efforts are dependent on the welcoming attitude of parishioners, he said, at parishes in small towns, cities and suburban neighborhoods.
“Even a large parish in an urban setting, with some effort, can really be a warm and welcoming community,” Ogorek said. “We like to think that you can take these sorts of matters for granted, but sometimes it takes a team of people in a parish to remind a broader group of parishioners how important it is to be intentional in our welcoming efforts. That’s why we are strongly encouraging parishes to start or rejuvenate their parish evangelization team. We stand ready to help any parishioners who want to enhance their parish’s efforts at evangelization.”
Father Anthony Volz, the pastor of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis, said visitors often tell him that the warmth and small-town feeling of the Indianapolis North Deanery faith community make them feel at home.
“It’s important to welcome new people because we want the faith to increase, and we want to bring more people to the Lord,” Father Volz said. “The sacraments are the essential ingredients to doing that, but we have to give people information about what’s going on in the parish.”
Christ the King Church is located on a busy street at 1827 Kessler Blvd., East Drive, adjacent to Bishop Chatard High School, and Father Volz said the address helps attract newcomers to the faith as well as Catholics who are searching for a new parish community.
“It’s a welcoming parish,” he said. “We help people to become involved very quickly. We’re always welcoming new ideas and new ways of helping others to get involved in Church life. People are so busy that the most we can do, I think, is to give them the information and have the Spirit work, and see if they have time to get involved, if not now then later.”
The new member welcome packet includes a rosary made by a parishioner, a holy card of St. Theodora Guérin, the Mass schedule and information about the parish’s Blessed Sacrament chapel, Father Volz said, which show people that prayer is a priority.
The packet also contains a parish directory, newsletter, list of ministries, financial report and donation envelopes, he said, to welcome people and remind them of the importance of sharing their gifts of time, talent and treasure.
“Our parish information encourages people to consider various ministries to become involved with,” Father Volz said. “The best way to get to know other people is to join a ministry and help others.”
Parish hospitality ministries range from singing in the Resurrection Choir during funeral Masses to making prayer and angel blankets that are blessed then given to people, said Melissa Buechler, the receptionist and choir director.
“Music that is familiar to people makes them feel at home and includes everybody in the liturgy,” Buechler said. “It makes them feel a part of the community. I think Christ the King is a very singing parish, and that’s very welcoming. We have an adult choir, high school music group and children’s choir.”
Young adults in the New Albany Deanery are encouraged to focus on keeping God in the center of their busy lives and participate in parish ministries, said Jeff Jenkins, the deanery’s associate director of youth and young adult ministry.
“They’re searching for their vocation [in life] and beginning professional careers,” Jenkins said. “… The Church is trying to reach them and provide quality ministries for them. Our goal is to empower young adults to feel integrated in their parish by helping them connect to their Catholic faith and realize that there is a lot for them to receive by going to Mass, but also to give to the parish in terms of their talents and wisdom.”
He said it’s important to reflect on the Scripture passage from the Gospel of Matthew, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:21).
Deanery young adult activities also encourage them to reflect on a “lifestyle litmus test,” Jenkins said. “A lot of young adults will say, ‘I believe in God,’ but they don’t go to Mass regularly. We tell them, ‘Let’s look at your life, at your calendar, and how you live day to day. How much time do you give to those things that you claim to value? How much time do you spend connecting to your faith and family? How much time do you give in prayer? How often do you attend Sunday Mass?’ ”
Father Rick Nagel, the director of young adult and college campus ministry for the archdiocese, said “prayer takes time and requires discipline to carve out that time.
“Prayer is really spiritual oxygen that we all need to grow in our relationship with Christ,” he said. “That’s why it becomes so vital. One of the most important ways to come to know where God desires for us to go and how he chooses for us to follow him faithfully is in the silence of prayer.”
Participation in Mass and parish activities keep people rooted in God, Father Nagel said. “The goal ultimately is to have young adults put down roots in parish life, and feel a part of a parish family.” †
