My Dear Holy Family Parishioners,
As we approach the celebration of Christmas, we are all keenly aware that this celebration and season brings a lot of visitors to our doors. Some of those visitors are family and friends of parishioners, as well as the so-called “Christmas & Easter Catholics” and even non-Catholics who feel a need to come here.
As parishioners and evangelizers, we are called to bring all people back to a greater understanding of the faith. The question is: How do we do this? First, we want to make all of our visitors feel welcome here. That means there should not be any sneering, we should move in from the pew to make room for other people to sit and most importantly there should be a smile on all the faces of our parishioners and a notion that we are happy to see them here! This should also be extending, not only in the church, but especially in our crowded parking lot! We need to let our visitors know that we are happy that they are here worshiping with us! There is nothing wrong with asking a person who appears not as familiar with the service, to help them in following the parts of the Mass, asking them where they are from and noting that you are glad they are here worshiping with us on the great day of the Lord.
This year, as in years past, we will be distributing an informative and enlightening gift to all families who are here and that includes our visitors. It is a form of welcoming them and wishing that they come back. We can all do our part in making this known, as well as, that we truly celebrate the presence of Emmanuel, ‘the Lord among us” here at Holy Family.
Sincerely,
Very Rev. John C. Giel, V.G.,
Pastor
