You’re in my pew. . .

I thought last’s years bulletin article pretty much said what was needed for us to be ready to welcome so many new faces at Christmastime. Remember, you are the voice and the smile of Holy Trinity Parish to those who are visiting.

Let’s plan a party. Maybe a better word would be a celebration. Let’s welcome everyone in Webster and beyond to join us for the celebration of Christmas. 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? Clare, are the choirs ready? Check.
• Church Decoration? Beautiful. Check.
• Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Ushers . . . ready? Check.
• Fr. John, Fr. Tim, do you have something to say for the homily? Check. (We hope!)

Now, I have to ask you this. How about you? Are you ready to welcome 2,500 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 Hospitality Ministers. Sooooooo . . .

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!!
• Be the face of Holy Trinity for those around you. Your smile, your handshake, your readiness to give up your pew, 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?

What not to do:

• Glare at people who’s 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 (move in! It’s a gracious way of saying, “glad you are here.”)
• Roll your eyes when people’s talking bothers you.
• Feel offended when someone doesn’t know when to sit or stand at Mass.
• Leave church right after you receive Holy Communion, or chew the host in the parking lot. Stay with us.
• Be in a hurry to get out of the parking lot. It’s Christ-mas! Take your time. Enjoy even the inconveniences of the day.

So ready, set, here we go!

God bless you very much this week.

Fr. Tim