Dear 
Friends,
We sing the song All Are Welcome quite often as the processional song
at Mass and not without good reason. All are indeed welcome at Saint Patrick Catholic Church and School. Our reputation as a welcoming parish community is well deserved. But we can’t rest on our laurels and presume that everyone feels welcome, especially as we continue to experience a steady decline in Mass attendance.
Welcoming Others is Essential in Parish Life
Our ongoing Parish Strategic Planning process has brought to our attention the need to develop strategies to attract and retain new parishioners. We can no longer rely on cultural Catholicism and successive generations to fill our pews. Making people feel welcome is the key to drawing in new parish families.
We All Play an Important Role in Welcoming Others
We need your help to do this. Helping others feel welcome is something each of us can do. It’s not easy to move into a new parish community, so next time you see an unfamiliar face at Church, go up to them and say “Welcome to Saint Patrick. We hope you like it here.” It is as simple as that. A smile and a handshake goes a long way.
Welcoming Initiatives
Our parish staff has been brainstorming ways to make newcomers and visitors feel more welcome. In the coming weeks and months be on the lookout for some of the following welcoming Initiatives:
- Welcome Cards in our pews asking visitors and current parishioners to share their desires and interests in joining our community.
- Asking guests and visitors to stand up at the beginning of Mass to be recognized.
- New Welcome messages from the ambo before the start of Mass.
- A Weekly Welcoming Table, not just once a month.
- Display photos of parish staff and various council and commission members in the Gathering Space.
- Church Tours for new parishioners, visitors, long time parishioners and the community.
- Invite new parishioners to bring forward the Gifts of Bread and Wine or lead us in the Creed.
- Introduction of and presentation of a token gift bag to new parishioners during Mass.
Join us to Help All Feel Welcome in Our Parish Family
As a current parishioner reading this letter, you are the foundation of our community and we treasure you and your commitment to Saint Patrick Church. New parishioners are the lifeblood that will continue to sustain and help us grow as a faith community.
Please join us on our Welcome Campaign to ensure that all those who walk through our doors feel welcome at Saint Patrick Catholic Church.
Saint Patrick – Pray For Us!
Kevin Lovejoy
Pastoral Coordinator
Saint Patrick Catholic Church
