“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” (Rom 15:7)
St. Elizabeth's Church
Parish Evangelization
* Role of The Ministry of Hospitality *
January 29, 2014
Agenda
 Opening Prayer: Fr. Stan
 Welcome: Gerry Carlton
 Evangelization… the Role of Hospitality
o Parish evangelization approach: Richard de la Fuente
o Teaching- Importance of the Ministry of Evangelization to
Parish Evangelization: Fr. Stan
o Discussion- Ministry of Hospitality Response to the Call to the
New Evangelization: All
 Ministry Business: Gerry Carlton
 Hospitality: All
Evangelization: Mission to Proclaim Jesus
as the Savior of All
Matthew 28:19-20
Go, therefore, and make
disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe
all that I have commanded
you. And behold, I am with
you always, until the end of
the age."
Bring Christ’s love to every person and every situation
How do we respond to the call of evangelization in our ministry?
Pope Francis on Role of the Parish in
Evangelization (from Evangelii Gaudium)
 The parish is the presence of the Church in a given
territory, an environment for hearing God’s word,
for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue,
proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and
celebration. In all its activities the parish encourages
and trains its members to be evangelizers. It is a
community of communities, a sanctuary where the
thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey,
and a centre of constant missionary outreach. (28)
St. Elizabeth’s Church Mission
 Our mission is to be a caring Christian Community,
aware of the needs of others, welcoming friend and
stranger alike, until there are no more strangers.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Evangelized & Evangelizing Community
“In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers.”
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
Hospitality &
Presence
Community
Goals:
• Draw more people to
Christ through the life &
work of the parish
• More active parishioners in
terms of Mass attendance,
ministry participation, stewardship
Approach (Near-Term)
Build upon
• Current programs & activities
• Current ministries
• Active parishioners
• Parish community charisms
Mission
Engagement
Friendship
With Christ
Witnessing
Faith Learning,
Sharing & Living
• What we are doing well, let’s
continue doing
• What could be improved, let’s
do better
• Are there important parish
evangelization & mission needs
that we’re gifted to do but aren’t
doing? Let’s act on them
Ministries
 St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a welcoming community of
people united in faith and guided by the Holy Spirit in
serving Our Lord Jesus Christ by dedicating our time, talents
and efforts to the service of others through our ministries.
Each ministry makes an invaluable contribution to the
flowing of the Holy Spirit – giving life and substance to the
Word, to our Liturgies, and to the Sacraments. There are
many opportunities for parishioners to take part in the parish
life at St. Elizabeth’s. All parishioners are invited to become
actively involved in the parish ministries, and we extend
sincere gratitude to all who currently contribute to this
important aspect of the parish community.
Ministry of Hospitality - Ushers
 The focus of the usher is to welcome worshippers and give
them a sense of belonging to our church community by
providing a comfortable environment when celebrating the
Eucharist and other ceremonies. Duties consist of assisting in
seating, taking up collections, seeing to the orderly reception
of the Eucharist and distributing bulletins.
Hospitality is Essential to the Mission of the
Church to
 Bring Christ to all
 Foster holiness
 Preach and teach
 Shepherd the flock
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Ministries
All Share in the Ministry of Hospitality
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Adoration
Altar Servers
Baptism Preparation
Communion Ministry
Confirmation
CYO
Family Choir
Finance Committee
Food Vouchers
K of C
Lectors
Men’s Fellowship
• Ministry of Hospitality
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Nursing Ministry
Parish Advisory Board
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Parish Pantry/Parish Office
Pre-Cana
RCIA
Religious Education
Business Coordinator
Respect Life
Souper Bowl Sunday
Stitchers
Choir
Visitation of the Sick
Vocations Liaison
Website
Welcoming Committee
Youth Ministry
In Every Facet of our Parish Life and Work, We
have Opportunities To Witness Hospitality
Brainstorming
What can we do to become more hospitable as a ministry and as a
parish community?
• Continuing what we do well
• Doing better what needs improvement
• New actions in response to unmet needs
Continue to do well
Improve
New actions
How Should We Think about Welcoming
Parishioners & Visitors to the Mass?
• Welcoming family to feast
• Welcoming honored guests to home
• God welcoming His people through us
• Our solidarity in Christ
• Signifying that we want people to feel they belong
• Recognizing fellow Christians as part of the living Body of
Christ assembled to hear God’s Word and to share his life
• Imitating the love and service of Jesus Christ
What Are Ways I Can Witness Hospitality?
• Make room for people as they are, without judgment
• Listening, encouraging
• Genuine gestures: smile, wave, handshake, hello
• Patience
• Appreciation for coming (to visitors and long-time
parishioners)
• Addressing parishioners by name
• Be helpful
• Encouraging participation
• Be genuinely interested
• Be committed to people’s well-being
• Be a good example
• Build lasting relationships
What Makes for Good Welcome?
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Genuine friendliness and interest in the good of others
Joyfulness for our faith
Enthusiasm about our parish mission and goals
Encouraging spiritual growth
Conversations that engage the person
Verbal and non-verbal communication of welcome and
thanks
Final thoughts
• We are Christ’s Church. It is He who called us to Himself.
It is He who planted us in this parish. It is He who receives
us at every community gathering and transforms us through
the life and work of the parish.
• As we have freely received Christ, we are called to share
Him with others. One of the ways we share Christ with
others is through our work as ministers of hospitality
• Many inactive Catholics may be looking for a reason to
return home. If they feel welcome in our parish, they are
likely to return home as members of St. Elizabeth’s
• Let us receive all those who come to our parish home with
the joy of the Lord. Greet them as members of God’s family.
By our example, let us witness the grace of having an
abiding friendship with Christ and His Church