Welcoming attitude is parishes' byword

A little welcoming goes a long way, according to Karen Boepple, a parishioner of Holy Family Church in Little Falls.

She had left the Catholic Church for six years and returned "because someone asked me. It was the start of my coming back."

Because of that experience, she thought the parish should reach out to other inactive Catholics. Now she is a member of the Welcome Committee there.

Welcome back

A massive mailing and ads in the newspaper approximately five years ago led to three people rejoining the Church.

Some people may think that effort wasn't worth the pay-off, but Mrs. Boepple said the committee's work made a difference for three people who might never have rejoined the Church. She continues to invite people to church.

"I don't push it," she explained. "I've had more no's than yeses, but I still ask."

Gifts

Rev. Anthony Ligato, pastor, said, "We want to reach out to everybody. We want to make sure everyone feels included."

To that end, the committee gives gifts and a welcome packet to families at Baptism. In addition, they send a welcome packet to newly married couples and people who have moved into the parish.

The work of the Welcome Committee led to a similar one at Ss. Anthony and Joseph Church in Herkimer, where Father Ligato is also pastor. It hosts a coffee hour to reach out to potential new parishioners.

"Parishioners can bring people who are thinking about joining the parish," Father Ligato said.

Called by name

As the Albany Diocese continues with "Called to be Church," Father Ligato said the work of the two Welcome Committees becomes critical.

He has found that, in order to get parishioners who are in their 30s and early 40s to participate in parish programs, they need to be personally asked.

"If I ask people, they are willing to help," he said. "They don't respond to requests in the bulletin. They have to feel it's worthwhile. Then we have to trust them to do the ministry."

Coming together

As a way of welcoming new members, Mrs. Boepple said that the parish lists them in the bulletin. "People like to be welcomed and recognized," she noted.

In addition, the work of the Welcome Committee led to the creation of child care during Sunday Mass.

"We are really one community with two churches," Father Ligato said. "We held a mission, and I was very pleased with the turn-out. People from both parishes came. That's part of what welcoming is: Saying to people, 'We'd like you to be a part of this.'"

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