Let’s get ready. Let’s make this place shine. You see there’s going to be a great celebration. Everyone in Webster and beyond is invited. Let’s celebrate Christmas here in our house at Holy Trinity. Let’s make it a total GIFT to everyone. We’re going to need everyone’s help to make this a proper celebration
So how shall we get ready?
- Music? Monica, are the choirs ready?
- Church decoration? Beautiful!
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Ushers . . . ready?
- Fr. John, Fr. Tim do you have something to say for the homily? Check. (We hope!)
How about you? Are you ready to welcome 3,000 people to the Christmas masses? This is your home. These are our welcomed and honored guests. Holy Trinity needs you to be ready to host this great event. What’s your role? You are the voice and smile and handshake of our parish. Sooooooo . . .
What NOT to do:
- Glare at people whose children are fussing and cranky. We’ve all been there.
- “You’re sitting in my pew,” is not the way we want to welcome people.
- Make people climb over you so you can keep the aisle seat. (No, move in! It’s a gracious way of saying “glad you are here.”)
- Roll your eyes when people’s talking bothers you.
- Feel superior when something happens that lets you know “these people never come to mass”. Give them a look that tells them “I’m here every week and you’re NOT!”
- Leave church right after you receive Holy Communion. Chew the host in the parking lot. (No, stay with us.)
- Be in a hurry to get out of the parking lot. (It’s Christmas! Take your time. Enjoy even the inconveniences of the day).
What TO DO:
- “Merry Christmas!” is totally appropriate before mass begins. Say it to everyone, not just your family.
- Expect total strangers to be sitting all around you. Think of them as your cousins whom you’ve not seen for a while. Let them know somehow how glad you are for their being there. Compliments before and after mass . . . “Oh, your children look wonderful. What a nice family you have.” Or more general, “That hat! Christmas come early?” . . . you’ll think of something.
- Give up on sitting for mass. That’s right, let someone take your seat . . . a Christmas gift to a total stranger. It’s what we do.
- Expect things to be a little different than a usual Sunday at Holy Trinity. More people (yea!), more congestion, more standing, more of everything. It’s Christmas!!
- As was said, be the face of Holy Trinity for those around you. Your smile, your handshake, your readiness to give up your pew, and your singing are all part of the gift this parish wants to be for those who join us that day. Who knows what your kindness might begin in them.
- We want people to experience Christ. Chances are it may be through you.
So ready, set, here we go.
God bless you very much this week.
Fr. Tim
