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Third Sunday of the Year
21 January 2007
Dear Friends in Christ,
Many people come to St Mary’s for the first time and fall in love with it and feel right at home. Others struggle to make it fit for them and their families. But sometimes people don’t always come away with the best impression of our parish family. Now, we all know that some people are just born complainers and you just can’t please everyone. At the same time, however, the stranger among us is Christ, and we must respond to the stranger as if to Christ Himself.
Many Catholics are used to just punching in their time clock by fulfilling their obligation to hear Holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Day. The reason we go to Mass, though, is so that we become better disciples of Christ, and if we can’t show that we are Christians by our love in our own parish family, then maybe we’re missing the boat. Protestant congregations can’t survive if they don’t court members and make them feel a part of the community. The Catholic Church can survive through anything, but shouldn’t we still make those who pass through our doors on Sunday feel like they are loved and treasured, not only by Jesus, but by the entire parish? We don’t have to turn the Sign of Peace into the Grope of Goodwill or stage theatrics of welcoming to do that.
What can we do? A smile and a nod of acknowledgment to the people in the pew with you. Courteous behavior before, during and after Mass (like praying and not holding private conversations). Introduce yourself to people who are new to you after Mass (but not in church, though!). Hang out in the plazas around the church and meet your brothers and sisters in Christ. Go to the Knights of Columbus breakfast on Sunday after Mass. If you are in charge of a ministry here at St Mary’s, never turn away help with a “There’s no room at the inn,” but find ways to use the energy of those who volunteer.
Remember that people see us in church on Sunday, but they also see us at the mall, at work, in the grocery store, on vacation. Wherever we go, we are St Mary’s parishioners and, even if we don’t realize it, people will gain an impression of what our church is like from us. For those of you who sneak out of church without ever saying hello to Father (we know who you are!), come over and help me put a face with a name (or an envelope number!). Each one of you counts. Not as numbers in the diocesan report to show the Bishop how many we can say are registered, but as souls precious in the eyes of the LORD and in the eyes of your priests and fellow parish family members.
See you next Sunday. At a happier, more welcoming St Mary’s!
Father Christopher