Ministry Highlight: Hospitality

In last week’s highlight, it was mentioned that greeters are often the first element of our hospitality ministry that people experience; but it is nonetheless just one element of the ways we work to make people feel welcome.

If you are new to the parish over the last few years it is likely that someone called to welcome you and visited you with a basket of goodies to sit down and explain some of the things going on in the parish.

On the first Sunday of the month (October through June) we serve donuts, coffee and juice, really it is a nice time to meet with other parishioners and chat, but a sweet treat for kids and adults makes it a pleasant morning where people like to linger.

If you have buried someone close to you here at St. Bart’s, likely a lovely woman has stopped by with a platter of sandwiches as a gift from the parish. A small way to give you strength for all you are feeling and doing in conjunction with someone’s passing.

The Bereavement ministry also hosts a luncheon after our annual Bereavement Mass for all the families who have lost someone in the past year.

Hospitality overlaps with many of our other ministries, it is a deliberate part of everything that we do as a parish. Hospitality is present when we visit our elderly parishioners, help them with errands, drive them to appointments, and help with other things that life sometimes brings. You offer hospitality in St. Bart’s name when you pick up lasagna and an apple crisp for someone you know who could use some comfort and help. The Circle of Comfort takes a few evenings a year to prepare them so they can be picked up any time in the rectory.

The Hospitality Ministry is an “umbrella organization” comprised of a group of parishioners who, often behind the scenes, sets the scene for the programs and events at the parish. One person cannot do it all, in order to have Community Sunday for example, someone got up early, picked up the donuts, made the coffee, set out all that was needed, all so that we could come in and enjoy. May visiting our parish truly be visiting God’s House.

Every time you walk in and smile to see a room nicely set up and prepared with food and drinks, or give thanks to our gracious Lord for those unseen people who made it happen. If you could be one of those unseen people, please contact the parish office, your presence will bring a smile to someone.