April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PARISH HANDBOOK
St. Luke's welcomes newcomers by the book
"We Welcome You with Great Joy" is full of color photos and descriptions of the parish's history, vision, ministries, organizations, seasonal events and web links.
It was more than a year in the making by an evangelization committee revived by Margaret Anderton, a parishioner who earned a master's degree last year from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany (see previous story at www.evangelist.org).
Ms. Anderton, who's currently working on a doctorate from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, helped the committee host retreats for Catholics who had fallen away from the Church and run faith-sharing groups.
The handbook was a next step flowing from the community's welcome statement: "No matter what your present status is in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your personal history, age, sexual orientation, background, lifestyle, race or color; no matter your own self-image or esteem; we invite, welcome, accept, love and respect you."
Schenectady residents have reached out to thank St. Luke's leaders for "such a bold welcome statement," Ms. Anderton said.
In the handbook, "We wanted to make sure that was front and center: It's a very friendly parish; very diverse. There's a level of civility, common courtesy [that] sort of transcends any differences. There's a real sense of unity.
"We're going to be figuring out how to live into that. I'm not sure that we've been entirely tested. It's always that balance of living into a vision while respecting [the] vision of your faith."
The handbook calls attention to the parish's open-arms mentality: "Sitting in your pew, look around," it reads. "[All] ages, a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds, some people dressed in suits, some in jeans and T-shirts, some folks who know all the words and prayers and some who seem to be seeking and searching.
"St. Luke's, in its urban setting, provides a stabilizing influence to the neighborhood in which it is located. St. Luke's takes seriously our call to become what we receive - we are to be God for others - as we see Christ in the eyes of others, so too we hope that others see Christ in us."
The committee printed 1,000 copies of the handbook; most of them were distributed at recent Masses. It will be included in packages for newly-registering parishioners.
Current parishioners are being encouraged to pass handbooks along to people who are looking for a parish or those who fell away from the Church.
Ms. Anderton said she hopes that community members "talk and they share it with people. It's something I think people can be proud to pass on."
Parishioners have complimented the design of the handbook. Its debut has attracted extra interest in parish ministries; in the past, a "call to ministry" during Lent has been the only time new volunteers were sought.
"This way," Ms. Anderton said, "people are continually invited to be involved."
The handbook will soon be featured at http://stlukesschenectady.org.[[In-content Ad]]
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