The New Welcoming Committee: Warmly Extending Hospitality to All in Our Parishes

After 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 had recently visited one new member, who told Darlene that she had been in a community for 45 years, and the priest had never come to her home to visit.

Darlene enjoys the opportunity to share her time by providing hospitality to those who are new to our community and says it’s a fantastic way to share Christ’s love. Now retired, Darlene spends her time substitute teaching at the school and helping set up whenever the parish hosts a large funeral. In addition to his service on the Parish Council, Greg is very active in music ministries, playing acoustic and bass guitar at various churches.

Starting in 2022, each new individual or family will receive a basket with various religious items, a few past newsletters and information about Mary of Lourdes School.

Please reach out to your parish office if you are new and/or need to register.

Holy Family: 320-632-5720 Our Lady of Lourdes: 320-632-8243 St. Mary’s: 320-632-5640

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.