Hospitality At Mass- Good Christian Stewardship
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 For many individuals and families alike, summer means travel. And summer travel may mean new visitors to our parish for weekend liturgies. How we greet and provide hospitality for our guests says a lot about our practice of good stewardship. Providing hospitality to strangers is a hallmark of Christian stewardship. In the Gospel of Matthew good stewards were commended for their hospitality: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matt. 25:35). Saint Benedict directed his followers to receive guests and travelers as if they were Christ. Extending hospitality is especially important when it comes to welcoming visitors who may be attending Mass at our parish for the first time. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence suggesting that the ability of a first-time visitor to have a meaningful experience of Christ in the liturgy is directly impacted by the warmth of the welcome extended by the local worshipping community. When people say hello, the worship experience is enhanced. A warm welcome is part of evangelization, work necessary in a church's mission to help people discover or renew their faith in Christ. How do we treat the unknown person who walks by us in church, or who sits next to us at Mass? Do we ignore them? Talk around them? Look at them and say nothing? Do we take the initiative to greet them, smile, extend a warm handshake? Remember, we are Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our actions and reactions toward visitors at Mass communicate who we are and who we represent. Let us take time to welcome visitors to our parish this summer. Welcoming gestures, however small, will not only have a positive impact on visitors, they will make us more hospitable ambassadors of Christ.
Reprinted with permission from International Catholic Stewardship Council, written by Leisa Anslinger, author and co-founder of Catholic Strengths and Engagement Community (CSEC), edited for space.
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Mass Hospitality Ideas
Welcoming newcomers to Prince of Peace is not just the job of the pastoral staff, ushers, ministers of hospitality or greeters. It is everyone's responsibility. Here are some things you can do:
1. Cultivate the virtue of hospitality at Mass. Many Mass attendees tend to gather into little cliques and ignore those who are not members of their particular clique. They are not really inhospitable, just heedless of the need for hospitality. Make hospitality a new habit when you go to Mass. 2. Come early, leave late and make time to come a little early and linger just a bit later. 3. Go in peace to greet someone! Seek out someone you've not met before. Shake their hand, introduce yourself, and take a few moments to welcome them to your parish home, God's house. 4. Welcome everyone. Not only do visitors need your warm welcome, regular Mass attendees also need a friendly greeting. You are greeting others in the name of Christ. 5. Help newcomers connect. While you are getting to know visitors, introduce them to other parishioners as the opportunity presents itself. Feel free to invite visitors to sit next to you. 6. Say goodbye with genuine warmth. After Mass, bid farewell to visitors, inviting them to return. Introduce them to the pastor if the opportunity arises. 7. Avoid parish business. Avoid conducting parish business with others just before or after Mass. Focus on hospitality and greeting visitors. 8. Offer visitors information about the parish. Ensure that a visitor has a bulletin before they leave. If there is a social gathering after Mass, invite them. 9. Be part of a greeting ministry team. Ministry lead Cathy Okon is always in need of greeters to serve regularly, and provide ongoing formation to new greeters. 10. Greet those who already minister in the area of hospitality. A simple wave and a smile go a long way!
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"Cave Quest" Vacation Bible School
 Wow! It was fantastic - 346 children attended our annual VBS camp June 6-10. Every day included classroom time focusing on Jesus as the light of the world; music, story, crafts, and outdoor activities. Sixty-four adults and 107 teens generously volunteered their time to lead and feed the children who were divided into classes by age. Some third generation young POP parishioners were spotted this year! You can find more photos from "the best week of the summer" on our Facebook page.
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Congratulations First Eucharist Students of 2016!
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1:30 pm Mass April 24, 2016
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Thank you to everyone who helped to prepare the 197 children of Prince of Peace pictured below for the Sacrament of First Eucharist - parents, our pastors, school and parish staff, and volunteers! First Eucharist was celebrated at five different Masses on three separate dates. We look forward to seeing all of the children in the fall at Sunday School! Interested in passing on the faith to our young parishioners? Contact Megan Everett to become a Sunday School teacher. |
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5 pm Mass April 30, 2016
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8:30 am Mass May 1, 2016
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11 am Mass May 1, 2016
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1:30 pm Mass May 1, 2016
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Knights Honor Father Johnson - Parish Farewell Reception Planned, Too
As Father Johnson's ministry at Prince of Peace comes to a close, the Knights honored him with a gift of a watch. Father Johnson has been very active with our Knights over the past year and has reached the Fourth Degree.
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Other Knight News
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The POP Knights of Columbus recently presented parishioner Boyd Mackey with a check for $2,000 to help with costs associated with becoming a Permanent Deacon. Boyd has completed two years of the four year program.
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Congratulations to POP Knights Steve Grondin (far left), Robert Newberry (far right) and Hap Purnell (next to Newberry) upon their Second Degree Exemplification.
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Congratulations also to these POP Knights who have reached their Third Exemplification! From left to right: Carl Morris, Louis Kelley, Nicholas Ash, Steve Grondin, Harry Purnell, Bob Newberry. (Ash is a member of a different Council.)
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| PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL |
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House of St. Francis Raises $1800+ for Ronald McDonald House
 Our middle school's House of St. Francis raised over $1,800 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama for their service project this year. They also bought gifts for the children, cleaned the house, cooked a meal at Christmas, held an Easter egg hunt, and created and delivered cards to the children. Hands-on ministry and service!
Representatives from POP's House of St. Francis presented the check to Emily Wright of Ronald McDonald House. The money will be used to fund stays at the RMD House. |
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House of St. Thomas Wins 2016 "House Cup"
Congratulations to POP middle school's House of St. Thomas for winning the 2016 "House Cup" for their service work in connection with parishioner Emily Knerr and the Hope for Autumn Foundation. The students worked at the Hope for Autumn Foundation's annual crawfish boil; helped pay for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for the families stuck in the hospital; and raised much-needed research money. Thanks to teacher Heather Kraus for giving our students great opportunities to experience service, extend hospitality, and offer prayers for others.
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Stewardship Saints for June
 This month we highlight two of the great stewards of our faith, Saints Peter and Paul, commemorated on June 29. The two apostles are celebrated together as the founders of the early Church of Rome.
St. Peter held a preeminent status among Jesus' disciples. He was very close to Jesus and is the apostle Jesus designated as the "rock" upon which his Church would be built. Even St. Paul acknowledged St. Peter as the pillar of the Church in Jerusalem. The Gospel of St. Luke describes Jesus commissioning St. Peter as the head of the disciples. In the first of his letters contained in the New Testament, St. Peter penned the stewardship reflection placed so prominently in the United States Bishops' pastoral letter on Christian stewardship: "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Pt. 4:10).
Thinkers throughout the ages acknowledge St. Paul as a genius and his success as a missionary was unmatched. He was a read more
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Stewardship Prayer for June
Lord Jesus Christ,
You came to bring peace and offer reconciliation.
You sent your Spirit to heal the separation between people,
and to reveal how it is possible for women and men
to overcome their differences and celebrate their unity
through your body and blood.
You revealed your Father as the Father of all people;
a Father who cares for every single individual
and embraces them with love and mercy.
It is that love and mercy, made manifest by your cross,
that shines your light on us all, creates new life,
offers a new way of living, and brings a Gospel message
that is a sign of hope.
Give us the courage to live your Gospel fully
even when it brings risk,
to share your word vibrantly even if it leads to scorn,
and to respond to others generously
even when we feel like holding back.
Show us the way to live as good stewards
of your presence among us, and in doing so,
may we shine your light on a darkened world.
Amen.
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