What is Outreach Ministry?

It is a fact that sometimes when we come to church, you look around and notice that the person who normally sits next to you on the same pew or on the pew in front or behind you is not there. You may also be wondering about a parishioner you have not seen at Mass or other parish events for some time. You may even know a former Catholic who is now homebound or Catholic who may have stopped coming to church for some other reason. Our new parish outreach ministry wants to reconnect them with Christ and our parish community.

The role of outreach ministers is to welcome back our missing brothers and sisters, care for parishioners especially those who are absent from the community, make our visitors feel welcomed.
 
How Do We Plan To Accomplish This:

• We strive to be the face of Christ at the door of the church every weekend joyfully welcoming parishioners and visitors.
• Introducing ourselves to visitors after Mass and inviting them to the parish hall for coffee and donuts at the end of Mass so that we can get to know them and them us.
• Contacting our friends/parishioners who were not able to join us for Mass to know how they are and letting them know that out sight is not out of mind.
• Twice a year (Fall and Spring) we will organize a welcome party for all new parishioners with welcome packets containing information about various parish ministries.
• In early October each year, we will send an invitation to All Souls day Mass to families of deceased parishioners buried from our parish the previous year, reminding them that their deceased loved one is still in our hearts.  

How Can You Help:

However, we cannot do this alone. Parish leaders, staff and in fact every parishioner have a role in this ministry, as you are often the first points of contact and witness to the parish community. How can you help:

• Letting any of the outreach ministers know about a parishioner who you think would appreciate a call from us especially those unable to attend our communal Eucharistic celebration on the weekends. There will be a box at the back of the church for you to put the name of the person or you can email the name to Cynthia Kroll at [email protected].

 

• At the end of Mass every weekend, walk up to a new person, introduce yourself to them, share your story, get to know them and invite them to coffee and donut in the parish hall. Personal witness and touch are the best form of outreach and evangelization.