April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
HOME FOR HOLIDAYS
Make room in pews for 'Christmas Catholics'
Make room in pews for 'Christmas Catholics'
Rev. Mark Cunningham, pastor of St. Francis de Sales parish in Herkimer and sacramental minister for Blessed Sacrament parish in Mohawk, said he tries to "make a statement to the regular parishioners [beforehand] that there will be folks that we rarely see" attending Christmas Masses.
"People get possessive of their seats," he said, noting that, if the "regulars" treat the newcomers with kindness, it is an opportunity for evangelization.
Mary Anne Brown, music minister and pastoral associate at St. Joseph's parish in Greenwich, noted that Catholics coming home to Mass "don't need to hear sarcasm about the fact that they wish the church was filled this full every week. They need to hear that this is an oasis in a troubled world.
Cultivate community
"We all need to be nourished spiritually," Mrs. Brown explained. "My philosophy is that Jesus was attractive to people because of His natural warmth and invitation."
She tries to "focus on being more like John the Baptist: always pointing to Christ, not ourselves."
At St. Joseph's, parishioners cultivate community by greeting one another at the beginning of the Christmas Mass and humming the song "Silent Night" together before the opening hymn. "That really sets the tone for the liturgy," Mrs. Brown said. "It's quite lovely."
The parish makes welcoming new parishioners a top priority by having greeters at the door and spreading messages of inclusivity.
Rev. Ronald Menty, a retired priest of the Diocese who celebrates Masses at Sacred Heart parish in Sidney, thinks being at the door to greet the Christmas Mass-goers is important.
"I'm never there to criticize what people don't do," he told The Evangelist.
Father Menty hopes that providing an experience that is focused on the Gospel can remind people what going to church is all about.
"God sent the Son as one who is here for us and understands our joys, our hope, but also our sorrows and disappointments," he said. "The Gospel is good news. Hopefully, our celebrations will enable people to experience the Good News when they come" to Mass.
Grace-filled place
At Sacred Heart parish in Stamford, Rev. Michael Cambi, pastor, welcomes Christmas Mass-goers that the Church is all about "getting the grace, the strength, the empowerment we need."
A worshipper who's there just for Christmas doesn't need to hear that he or she is "less of a Catholic," he stated. "That's never an effective way to evangelize."
The pastor noted that Jesus went out and met people who needed Him; He did not point out everything that each person had done wrong.
For Sacred Heart/Immaculate Conception parish in Haines Falls, welcoming new parishioners is all about atmosphere: "Everything is done special because it's Christmas," said Odette Johnson, parish secretary and bookkeeper.
The parish goes all-out with decorating the church, even making sure to put Christmas lights outside. This makes a warm and friendly impression, Mrs. Johnson said.
Spread the news
To help get the word out about the Christmas Mass schedule at St. Vincent de Paul's parish in Cobleskill, parish life director Sister Connie James, SND, publishes the Mass times in the local newspaper.
She also makes sure to include anything that may be different about the Mass: "It's basically making sure information is ready," she told The Evangelist.
"This parish, like most parishes, has two groups: the group that leaves and goes to family for Christmas, and then the out-of-towners" who are visiting family in the area, she continued. Many of the people who show up for Mass at holidays are "not all tied to the weekly liturgy schedule."
The "regulars" at Mass know this, she said -- "I've heard them tell each other to save seats" -- but parishioners still make room for new faces and new acquaintances to celebrate Christ's birth.[[In-content Ad]]
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