Dear Parishioners,

I want to encourage all who are able, to be engaged in this year’s parish wide effort, which I have named - O Come All Ye Faithful. This is an effort designed to fill our church for the Christmas Masses and invite back those parishioners whom we have not seen for some time.

The method that I am proposing for this effort is outlined below.

First, begin by choosing a family or individuals whose regular absence you have noticed. Pray that the Holy Spirit may inspire you in your invitation, and pray that this same Holy Spirit will make them open to your invitation.

Next, formulate your invitation. Make sure they realize your sincerity in this effort. I suggest you use the first person singular, “I” rather than “we” e.g., “I would love to see you back praying with us.” Be positive. Be succinct. Don’t pressure, lecture, badger or judge. Avoid sounding too sanctimonious as if you are doing them a favor by coaxing them back to church. Emphasize that they are genuinely missed because their presence makes a difference for our faith community.

Choose the appropriate place or context to make your invitation. Be sensitive to whether a private or more public place would be suitable for doing, whether it is a home (yours or theirs), a school, the workplace; the Jewel; a gym, restaurant, beauty parlor, etc… Select the method for inviting them, e.g., in person, by phone, email, handwritten letter or note. Be cautious with writing since it is difficult to qualify a written text that could be easily misinterpreted.

Then, make the actual invitation and be prepared for their initial reaction which could include anger, irritation, hurt, embarrassment, humiliation, resentment, surprise, gratitude, honor or happiness that they have been missed.

Be sensitive to the possible reasons they may offer for their absence: too busy, family problems, anger at: God, the church, a priest or fellow parishioner. Perhaps they feel they lost their faith. They may be overwhelmed with any number of personal struggles such as sickness, depression or financial difficulties. Or they may have simply gotten out of the habit of going to church.

Your response should be one of attentive listening without judgement. Never discount their feelings or experiences and don’t challenge them on these. Take none of this personally yourself and no matter how they respond assure them of your ongoing friendship and support. Be aware that you may have opened an opportunity they needed to share their struggles or pain with another. Decide if you are able and willing to be the person who can share in their personal experience at this time. Make sure this invitational moment ends positively by wishing them a Blessed Christmas.

And finally, leave the rest to God and continue to pray for them.

I hope these suggestions and/or recommendations will prove helpful in this effort. Your own personal experiences and wisdom can certainly supplement what I am recommending.

May God bless all of us, who are his faithful, and may Christmas, this year, find us gathered for worship in joyful praise for the gift of Emmanuel, God with us.

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