( This article describes the Church’s pre-COVID reality and post-COVID projections and stats). The pandemic has prevented even more people from going to Mass. Prior to the pandemic, only 34% of registered Catholics participated in the Mass each Sunday. In a 2018 Pew Survey, 14 percent of self-described Catholics said they rarely attend Mass because they didn’t feel welcome. Also, a priority of Courageously Living the Gospel is to invite all to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ and to welcome and accompany one another.
Parishes are called to be welcoming places where the love of God is made known in a hurting world.
Nic Prenger Solutions is offering free and paid resources for a Welcome Back Plan that celebrates a return to Mass and commemorates what we have experienced during the pandemic.Resources from Faith Catholic, such as a communications plan, sample letters from the pastor, posters, postcards, and social media posts in three different themes.Parish Toolkit that provides step-by-step suggestions for implementing the initiative.What resources are available to support this initiative? VIDEO: BISHOP PARKES INTRODUCES WELCOMING YOU Visit to see new webpages that have been created to invite people to Mass and to teach about the Mass. All parishes are invited to participate and this effort will also be conducted at the diocesan level. It also provides a framework for welcoming people to Mass on a consistent basis. It provides a framework to reach out to those who have been away from Mass, for whatever reason, and invite them back. “ Welcoming You” is a special initiative that invites each person to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ and is connected to our diocesan vision, Courageously Living the Gospel. Jesus Christ our Savior profoundly welcomes us from the cross with open arms as we celebrate his greatest act of love in every Eucharist.
“Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” -Romans 15:7