24/08/20151 how to make small effective gestures in parishes
TRANSCRIPT
19/04/23 1
HOW TO MAKE
Small effective
gestures in parishes
Who are we Who are we aiming to attract aiming to attract
by these by these gestures?gestures?
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2
What do people look for when they come to church?
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Answers to prayerReconciliation and forgivenessTo fill an emptiness in their livesHealing and comfortWelcome; a sense of belonging Presence of God in Blessed SacramentSanctuary; peaceGuidance; To find their spiritual purposeGood news!19/04/23 4
FORM A WELCOME FORM A WELCOME COMMITTEECOMMITTEE
From: men and women old and young
Different ethnic and cultural groups in the parish
Mission statementN.B. Advertise committee widely19/04/23 5
MOST IMPORTANTMOST IMPORTANT
Prayer- offer all parishioners a
prayer card- Monthly bidding prayers
- Prayer sponsors19/04/23 6
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THE OBVIOUSDisabled access
ToiletsQuiet books/toys for children
Loop systemCar parking facilities
Welcome leaflets at back of church, esp. at Christmas, Easter, baptisms, weddings , funerals,
1st CommunionsPhoto board including:
clergy, PPC, parish organisation chairs, candidates for
Sacraments, recently deceased etc
MORE CHALLENGINGMORE CHALLENGING
Welcome parties: for newcomers, parish feast days, seasonal feasts,
anniversaries of newly baptised and 1st Communicants
Open churches during the week
website
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VIDEO/PHONE LINKVIDEO/PHONE LINK
Look upwww.community-network.or
g
Or ring them on 0845 619999219/04/23 9
Even more challengingEven more challenging
Welcomers at Mass – with name badges?
Coffee after MassLifts to Mass for elderly
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HELPING HANDSHELPING HANDS
Don’t feel alone in a crisis
Ring ...............
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PARISH LINKSPARISH LINKS
Volunteers act as PLs for their neighbourhood Catholics
Each Catholic neighbour receives a magnetic sticker with PL’s
contact detailsDetails: www.kit4catholics.org.uk
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THE PERSONAL TOUCHTHE PERSONAL TOUCHSmile!
Talk to people we don’t know!Learn their names!
Listen! www.acornchristian.org Keep in touch
Invite, include, involve themRespect their wishes!19/04/23 13
A sickness in our societyA sickness in our societySymptom – reluctance to reach out to new
people, situations, commitmentsVirus – infection from the values of today’s
cultureWorld values: wealth; strength; power; the
law; attractivenessLeading to: Self-centredness, worry and
blindness to others19/04/23 14
World v Gospel valuesWorld v Gospel values
The Cure: GOSPEL VALUES
Generosity, welcome, forgiveness, service the corner stones of God’s kingdom
Leading to the life, peace, freedom. justice and love of God’s kingdom
See EN19 and Matt 6: vv25...
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FORMATION – small groupsFORMATION – small groupsMASS SACRAMENTS PRAYER
BIBLE STUDY GROUPSCAFE
KIT AND LANDINGSPRAYER GROUPS
RCIA19/04/23 16
Which of these gestures would you find easy to implement in your
parish?Which would you find most
difficult?Which in your opinion is the most
important?
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