St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family
The New Welcom Warmly Extending Hospita A A December reception was held to welcome new parishioners.
Treats were served in December as a way to welcome new parishioners.
New and current parishioners gathered for a reception in December through the Welcoming Committee.
fter nearly two years of being separated from one another and facing interruptions due to the pandemic, it’s so wonderful to be welcoming more and more people back to Mass. More than ever before, we want people to feel welcome in our parishes. We want to “roll out the red carpet,” so to speak, so that all new members know they are welcome here. Thanks to a group of three retired schoolteachers and Little Falls Catholic Community members — Darlene Brand, St. Mary’s; Sally Greene, Our Lady of Lourdes; and Karen Holmberg, Holy Family — each new member of our parishes will get a phone call and a welcome basket a few weeks after they join. In addition, the group held a reception after Mass in December to welcome new members. Every parishioner, new and current, was invited. The group plans to hold receptions a few times a year, alternating between parishes. Although it’s been a while —
35 years, to be exact — since Darlene was a new member at St. Mary’s, she wants to be sure everyone feels welcome. This ministry is a great way to do that. But there are simple ways that all of us can extend the hand of hospitality. “Don’t be afraid to walk up to people you see at Mass and ask if they are new or visiting,” Darlene says. “It’s another way to make people feel welcome. It can even be as easy as smiling at people.” Darlene’s husband, Greg, is on the Parish Council, through which the idea for the Welcoming Committee was born. When Greg asked Darlene if she would join, she didn’t hesitate. “There are families who are joining who I knew when they were kids,” Darlene says. “Now, they have kids of their own, and I just want them to feel welcome.” Darlene made nine calls to new families to catch up for 2021, and people were very appreciative of the welcome. Fr. Ben Kociemba continued on page 5
“Don’t be afraid to walk up to people you see at Mass and ask if they are new or visiting. It’s another way to make people feel welcome. It can even be as easy as smiling at people.” — Darlene Brand 4
