Saturday, December 20, 2014

Welcoming Catholics at Christmas: Parish Bulletin--12-21-14


We’re going with a two part Babblings due to the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas!

To our regulars reading this on December 20th-21st:
Did you know that in our country, one-third of those born Catholic no longer come to Church?  One of the main reasons why—they don’t feel welcome by the congregation on Sundays.
Christmas is one of the greatest times to welcome back our friends, family and neighbors to our parishes.  I want to challenge you to go out of your way to make our visitors feel right at home.  By the time our guests get into the pews, I pray the doors they entered were held open for them, they’ve heard “Merry Christmas” a dozen times, they’re hands have been shaken and they’ve experienced the joy of Christmas lived out.
Help those who are not regular Mass goers want to come back this weekend!

To everyone joining us for worship on Christmas:
            Merry Christmas!  We gather this Christmas season “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’” 
Whether you joined us yesterday for worship or it’s been a while longer, know you are most welcome coming to the heart and soul of our faith—Mass.
If it’s been a while, welcome home!  You return to a 2000 year old family that spans the globe and has 1.228 BILLION members!  Our Church has fed more of the hungry, cared for more of the sick, taught more of the ignorant and ministered to more people than any other human organization.
Are you looking to be fed?  To find true joy?  This is the place for you.  While the world offers fleeting pleasures—drugs, alcohol, immorality, greed, power, fame—Christ offers the only thing that satisfies: Himself.
You are made for more than what this world offers.  As a sign of our gratitude for joining us for Mass, we are giving you a book with the same title: Made for More by Curtis Martin.  It is an insightful (and quick) read that helps you consider who Jesus really is and what this means for your life.
On behalf of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Columban parishes I am grateful you joined us to celebrate Christmas.  I speak for our community and the priests from which you come—we hope to see you here this weekend…you are always welcome!
God Bless!

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