Invite a friend to visit this page
In a short time Christmas will be here! Christmas can be an exciting and fulfilling time for us. We know that the holiday season brings certain feelings of loneliness as well. We miss those who have died. We miss those who will not be Home for Christmas.
As Church families we prepare for Christmas as well. We pray in a special way for those who have died. We look forward in a special way to greet family members and parishioners who will be Home for Christmas. We also prepare to celebrate with those who seem to attend Church only at Christmas and other Holidays.
Statistics tell us that a large majority of those who do not attend Church regularly would return if they were asked. Reasons for staying away are many. Some simply have gotten out of the habit of attending and a little extra sleep is nice. For others there might be misunderstandings of Church teachings and policies. Some might feel they are unwelcome to attend due to invalid marriages or other similar issues. Others might have been hurt by the Church, a parishioner or our parish family. Some might have a fear of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Others might have struggles with their faith and may not know how to come for help. Some might feel embarrassed to return after a period of absence. Lack of attendance does not mean they no longer think of the Church or that they do not wish to return. Sometimes they simply need to know they are missed and have a graceful opportunity to return.
Part of our Christian Mission is Evangelization. We are to reach out in faith and welcome others. I would like us to consider an Evangelization project. I'm sure you know of someone who no longer attends Church or does so infrequently. Perhaps you have heard someone speak of faith difficulties they might be having. Certainly, the best thing to do is to approach that person and let them know what you are feeling. Tell them you miss them and would welcome their return. Offer to attend Church or a Parish Activity with them. Help them to obtain any assistance they might need from the Church.
Take a few minutes to consider those you "miss" when you attend Church. Let's keep them in your prayers. Consider how you might invite them to return. You might invite them by adapting part of this letter, sending an e-mail, making a phone call or any of a number of creative ways of letting them know you'd be happy to see them come Home for Christmas.
Perhaps you yourself have become more distant from the Church. Let me apologize for anything the Church may have done to harm you. Feel free to contact me too, to help you start the kind of dialogue that can heal the wounds. Consider attending a Church near you this Christmas! Last year a number of our "cyber-parishioners" expressed gratitude for our group and the fact that they read the Christmas readings and homily at our Web Site and "felt" like they belonged to a Church for the first time in a long while. That makes me so happy! It's even nicer though, to gather with our sisters and brothers and praise and thank God together. Perhaps many of us will do that this year!
If you've been sent to this Web Page by a friend, we hope you aren't offended. I hope you don't
see it as meddling, but as a simple loving invitation. It's often not easy, even for family members and friends, to talk about topics like this one. I hope you consider their effort a positive and loving gesture. Perhaps their invitation and your visit can open a conversation that can be nice for both of you.
Please don't be judgmental of anybody or pressure others to do what they don't want to do. Just provide a welcome and an open door if that seems appropriate. Let them know when Services are held as well. Christmas is always nicer when everybody's home. Let's pray that many may come "Home for Christmas!"
Christmas Eve Masses here at Holy Family are at 5:15 PM, 8:00 PM and at Midnight. Masses Christmas Day are at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. May God continue to bless you and those you love, and keep you safe!
Visit our new Evangelization Web Site, too:
Sincerely,
Father Pat