The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel. (EG, # 114)
- Emphasize we are ALL hospitality ministers on behalf of Jesus Christ.
- Download these free resources on Catholic Hospitality: http://catholic-institute.com/free-resources/
- Welcoming Plan: Create a parish plan: 5 Tips for Welcoming Church Visitors
- Train Greeters (men and women who genuinely like people) to know how to reach out with a handshake, look a person squarely in the eye, and greet, “Welcome to St. … . Good to see you!” What does a Church greeter do? Or 10 Tips for Church Greeters. Create a short, fun video like this for your parish greeters!
- Parking Lot Greeters: Place trained greeters in the church parking lot before all Masses and events to guide traffic, direct those attending, and offer a simple greeting, “Welcome. We’re glad you’re here!”
- Church Door Greeters: Have designated greeters outside the church entrance, ready to greet and open the door to the church (you would always open the door for a guest to your home).
- Hospitality Desk: Host a Welcome/Hospitality Desk in the gathering space staffed with friendly, informed parishioners who can welcome, invite young and old to events and gatherings, answer questions, and direct concerns.
- Donut Sunday: Offer refreshments after a Mass each weekend or on a designated Sunday, with time for parishioners to get to know one another.
- Welcome Video: Post an up-to-date, warm, welcome video by the pastor on your parish/cluster website: http://www.4lpi.com/2016/05/03/video-ideas-for-your-parish-website/
- Welcoming Signs: Be sure to post attractive, clear signage so visitors can easily find any building or meeting room on church property.
- Welcome Calls: Identify parishioners, who love to listen (and chat), and train them to call each new member to welcome to the parish, answer questions, and invite to Mass and the next parish event. (Have parishioners ready to bring or meet the new parishioners at Mass or event.)
- Welcome Dinners: Host welcome dinners twice a year as a way to extend hospitality and for the pastor/staff to get to know new members. Call and personally invite new parishioners to dinner (or if you prefer, snacks, breakfast) with the pastor.
- Family to Family Welcome: Designate parishioners/families who would be willing to invite a new member/family to sit with them at Mass and then out for coffee or a bite to eat.
- Clean Grounds: Be sure entrance, lobby, restrooms and the nursery are clean and welcoming.
- Open Wide the Doors for those who need a refuge: to pray, light a candle, visit with Jesus in adoration, or find rest. “Our church doors should always be open, so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door.” (EG, #7) https://vimeo.com/39733138
- Rethink Hospitality:
Why is Christian Hospitality So Important?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkb3sTm2Rto
Reimaging Hospitality:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQcKW48voS4
Parish Evangelization and Hospitality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpUQxvmU80c