St. Elizabeth's Church Parish Evangelization

* Role of The Ministry of Hospitality *

January 29, 2014

“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” (Rom 15:7)

Agenda Opening Prayer: Fr. StanWelcome: Gerry CarltonEvangelization… the Role of Hospitality

o Parish evangelization approach: Richard de la Fuente

o Teaching- Importance of the Ministry of Evangelization to Parish Evangelization: Fr. Stan

o Discussion- Ministry of Hospitality Response to the Call to the New Evangelization: All

Ministry Business: Gerry CarltonHospitality: All

Evangelization: Mission to Proclaim Jesus as the Savior of All

Matthew 28:19-20

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Bring Christ’s love to every person and every situation

How do we respond to the call of evangelization in our ministry?

Pope Francis on Role of the Parish in Evangelization (from Evangelii Gaudium)

The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration. In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers. It is a community of communities, a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey, and a centre of constant missionary outreach. (28)

St. Elizabeth’s Church MissionOur mission is to be a caring Christian

Community, aware of the needs of others, welcoming friend and stranger alike, until there are no more strangers.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Evangelized & Evangelizing Community

Witnessing

MissionCommuni

ty

FriendshipWith Christ

Hospitality &Presence Engagement

Faith Learning, Sharing & Living

Approach (Near-Term) Build upon• Current programs & activities• Current ministries• Active parishioners• Parish community charisms

• What we are doing well, let’s continue doing• What could be improved, let’s do better• Are there important parish evangelization & mission needs that we’re gifted to do but aren’t doing? Let’s act on them

“In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers.” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium

Goals: • Draw more people to Christ through the life & work of the parish• More active parishioners in terms of Mass attendance, ministry participation, stewardship

MinistriesSt Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a welcoming

community of people united in faith and guided by the Holy Spirit in serving Our Lord Jesus Christ by dedicating our time, talents and efforts to the service of others through our ministries. Each ministry makes an invaluable contribution to the flowing of the Holy Spirit – giving life and substance to the Word, to our Liturgies, and to the Sacraments. There are many opportunities for parishioners to take part in the parish life at St. Elizabeth’s. All parishioners are invited to become actively involved in the parish ministries, and we extend sincere gratitude to all who currently contribute to this important aspect of the parish community.

Ministry of Hospitality - UshersThe focus of the usher is to welcome

worshippers and give them a sense of belonging to our church community by providing a comfortable environment when celebrating the Eucharist and other ceremonies. Duties consist of assisting in seating, taking up collections, seeing to the orderly reception of the Eucharist and distributing bulletins.

Hospitality is Essential to the Mission of the Church to

Bring Christ to all Foster holiness Preach and teachShepherd the flock

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish MinistriesAll Share in the Ministry of Hospitality

• Parish Pantry/Parish Office

• Pre-Cana

• RCIA

• Religious Education

• Business Coordinator

• Respect Life

• Souper Bowl Sunday

• Stitchers

• Choir

• Visitation of the Sick

• Vocations Liaison

• Website

• Welcoming Committee

• Youth Ministry

• Adoration

• Altar Servers

• Baptism Preparation

• Communion Ministry

• Confirmation

• CYO

• Family Choir

• Finance Committee

• Food Vouchers

• K of C

• Lectors

• Men’s Fellowship

• Ministry of Hospitality• Nursing Ministry

• Parish Advisory Board

In Every Facet of our Parish Life and Work, We have Opportunities To Witness Hospitality

Brainstorming

What can we do to become more hospitable as a ministry and as a parish community? • Continuing what we do well• Doing better what needs improvement• New actions in response to unmet needs

Continue to do well Improve New actions

How Should We Think about WelcomingParishioners & Visitors to the Mass? • Welcoming family to feast• Welcoming honored guests to home• God welcoming His people through us• Our solidarity in Christ• Signifying that we want people to feel they belong• Recognizing fellow Christians as part of the living Body of Christ assembled to hear God’s Word and to share his life• Imitating the love and service of Jesus Christ

What Are Ways I Can Witness Hospitality?

• Make room for people as they are, without judgment• Listening, encouraging• Genuine gestures: smile, wave, handshake, hello• Patience• Appreciation for coming (to visitors and long-time parishioners)• Addressing parishioners by name• Be helpful• Encouraging participation• Be genuinely interested• Be committed to people’s well-being• Be a good example• Build lasting relationships

What Makes for Good Welcome?

• Genuine friendliness and interest in the good of others • Joyfulness for our faith• Enthusiasm about our parish mission and goals• Encouraging spiritual growth• Conversations that engage the person• Verbal and non-verbal communication of welcome and

thanks

Final thoughts

• We are Christ’s Church. It is He who called us to Himself. It is He who planted us in this parish. It is He who receives us at every community gathering and transforms us through the life and work of the parish. • As we have freely received Christ, we are called to share Him with others. One of the ways we share Christ with others is through our work as ministers of hospitality• Many inactive Catholics may be looking for a reason to return home. If they feel welcome in our parish, they are likely to return home as members of St. Elizabeth’s• Let us receive all those who come to our parish home with the joy of the Lord. Greet them as members of God’s family. By our example, let us witness the grace of having an abiding friendship with Christ and His Church