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Lent & Easter

February 12, 2025 • Smart News • Views: 7

Join Our Special Webinar on Lent & Easter!

You are invited to a special webinar & training session As we prepare for Lent and Easter, it is essential to think about how to engage...

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When we are baptized, we are baptized into the threefold ministry of Jesus himself (the munera Christi), as priest, prophet, and king. Today we hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah who, speaking on God’s behalf, defines what the mission of the prophet is! The prophet proclaims liberty to captives, healing to the brokenhearted, glad tidings to the poor, and a time of favor from the Lord! Insofar as the Church continues the munera Christi -- the very ministry of Jesus in the world today by virtue of baptism, it is our duty to continue to proclaim this good news. A recent Gallup study indicated that 70% of Americans say they are spiritual, but only about 15 to 20% attend a church, temple, or synagogue. This indicates the hunger within people for a sense of connection with God and their brothers and sisters. Let our churches be places of welcome where we continue the prophetic work of Christ as Isaiah has described it. Call to action: Many people come to church in Advent, and especially at Christmas who we otherwise don’t see. Don’t let them slip through your fingers without trying to reach out to them! Have your GiveCentral GC Smart Tools ready! Pew cards, QR codes, texting number, bulletin inserts, posters, and greeters – have them ready for these important days. If you need more information or guidance on how to use these tools contact Teresa at teresa@givecentral.org, or Edgar at ebarroso@givecentral.com. Pastoral Action Points Stay ready (like the wise virgins in the parable) throughout this holiday season with your pew cards, texting numbers, emails, and direct mails. This busy season presents wonderful opportunities for welcoming and inviting people into your parish. Use your GC Smart Tools to stay on top of things! Have some of your parishioners ready as greeters or “information booth” volunteers. Visitors need to feel welcome, and sometimes they just need to know where the restrooms and drinking fountains are! (Be sure to keep them clean and presentable throughout all the liturgies and concerts of this busy time.) Many of your confirmation students are off from school during these weeks. They may need service hours as a part of their formation for confirmation. Don’t be afraid to ask them to help as greeters and welcomers during Christmas and New Years. Sunday, December 31st is the Feast of the Holy Family. Start asking your families now to attend mass together that Sunday. Offer some family friendly activities. (Studies show that families who attend mass together, pray at meals together, and spiritually support each other are more likely to remain active in the faith than those that don’t!) Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org

February 8, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 12

Answering the Call: Continuing the Prophetic Mission of Christ in Today’s World

When we are baptized, we are baptized into the threefold ministry of Jesus—priest, prophet, and king. Today, the Prophet Isaiah speaks on...

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Recall that the Church already existed when the gospels, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were written down. Thus, the parable of the workers in the vineyard gains an even fuller meaning, for new members were joining the Church constantly, and older members may have assumed that they were more privileged than newer ones. In truth, there has always been tension in the Church between older members and newer members. Even in today’s parishes sometimes older members, though happy to see more people, are not always happy to share space or influence with the newer ones. Just as the New Testament Church had to examine itself about its spirit of welcome toward its new members, so must we today. Being with the Lord is a privilege, but it does not make us more privileged because we have been with Him longer. Our souls, hearts and our arms must be open to those who are new to Christ and His Church. Call to action: Part of developing the spirit of welcome in a parish community is by asking the long-standing organizations and ministries to encourage new members, to receive their ideas, and make them feel valued. This can be hard, because it requires groups to move beyond old thinking and the spirit of “we’ve always done it this way.” It requires a deep examination of conscience and an openness to the “new means and methods” called for by the New Evangelization. Unless we take the risk of deepening our spirit of welcome, there will be no new laborers for the vineyard. Pastoral Action Points Fall is a wonderful time to invite parishioners to join the various ministries, services, and organizations in your parish. Some parishes have ministry fairs or parish town hall meetings where the organizations and ministries can be highlighted. Use your GC Smart Tools to communicate an awareness of your groups and ministries by creating emails or direct mailings about them. Is your parish engaged in GC’s 20 for 20 campaign? If it is, stay in touch with Give Central throughout the campaign and look for our weekly webinars offering support and instruction. Have you started thinking about Advent? It’s a great time to encourage your parishioners to invite others to join them at mass. Take some time to plan a special welcoming experience for those “sometime” Catholics to get them re-engaged. Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org

August 11, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 18

Developing Mercy and Welcoming in Church Communities

Recall that the Church already existed when the gospels, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were written down. Thus, the parable of...

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