Christmas catholics

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mommy_k

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How would you go about getting the christmas catholics to attend mass more than just christmas and easter? I was thinking of giving prayer cards or something similar to the infrequent visitors but do not want to insult. Many are fine people, but just go at these times. Any suggestions?
 
mommy_k said:
How would you go about getting the christmas catholics to attend mass more than just christmas and easter? I was thinking of giving prayer cards or something similar to the infrequent visitors but do not want to insult. Many are fine people, but just go at these times. Any suggestions?
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Invite them; face-to-face
 
mommy_k said:
How would you go about getting the christmas catholics to attend mass more than just christmas and easter? I was thinking of giving prayer cards or something similar to the infrequent visitors but do not want to insult. Many are fine people, but just go at these times. Any suggestions?
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The best way is to make the Mass something they’d like to do again.

Where I used to live, one of our associate priests took this as his personal challenge. For several weeks prior he encouraged people to invite neighbors, family, any fallen-away Catholics we know to Christmas Mass. He also lectured us against being holier-than-thou, especially in subtle ways, like not sliding over in the pew to make room for late arrivals. He had a long list - I forget everything. He also recruited volunteers to be greeters at the doors. His goal was that nobody came to Christmas Mass without at least one person wishing them a Merry Christmas and welcoming them to our parish. The place was hugely decorated that year, probably twice the usual flowers. The choir picked Carols that everybody would know.

It was all about attracting people back to church, rather than trying to shame them back.
 
mommy_k said:
How would you go about getting the christmas catholics to attend mass more than just christmas and easter? I was thinking of giving prayer cards or something similar to the infrequent visitors but do not want to insult. Many are fine people, but just go at these times. Any suggestions?
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Welcome them with open arms as Christ would.
 
Prayer cards is a nice idea, but I would make them available to everyone. Devotional items might get the parishioners to think about their faith more, and perhaps come back.

I think you’re on the right track, but you might not want to single out some parishioners over others.
 
We should be welcoming to those we know that attend Mass a few times a year. I think for special occasions, holidays, funerals and weddings, there should be a few people at the door to greet those coming in, and simply say something like Welcome or Good day or something else appropriate for the reason for Mass attendance as an example.
 
My parents are non-practicing “Christmas Catholics.”

I’ve tried numerous times to have them attend Mass more often. They came to the Easter Vigil and expressed a weak, mild interest in going to Latin Mass with me. It’s yet to happen.

I’ve asked face to face and no one will take me up on the offer.

🤷

All I can do is pray every single day for them.
 
Kelfa28 said:
My parents are non-practicing “Christmas Catholics.”

I’ve tried numerous times to have them attend Mass more often. They came to the Easter Vigil and expressed a weak, mild interest in going to Latin Mass with me. It’s yet to happen.

I’ve asked face to face and no one will take me up on the offer.

🤷

All I can do is pray every single day for them.
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I will pray for them.🙂
 
mommy_k said:
How would you go about getting the christmas catholics to attend mass more than just christmas and easter? I was thinking of giving prayer cards or something similar to the infrequent visitors but do not want to insult. Many are fine people, but just go at these times. Any suggestions?
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Interestingly, this is something we all have to come to grips with soon. Because the New Evangelism precisely addresses this. It is an effort with as much emphasis in guiding non-practicing Catholics back to the faith, as it is evangelizing those who have not heard the word.

Don’t be timid. Ask them back. Not sure what to say? When the time comes, we are told the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say!

Peace and all good!
 
I agree with everyone else: we should welcome them as Christ does. The only time that I have a problem is when I see people “saving” two or so pews (with coat and other assorted items) for their “immediate” family on a major holiday. That can be irritating!
 
I would encourage the Priest to say something about being a practicing Catholic. Not shaming them but at least pointing out the obvious. “there are a lot of new faces here tonight! Welcome! If you are new to the Catholic Mass experience we have many people who can answer some questions. If you are a non practicing Catholic and wish to reconnect with your faith please contact me so I can help you fulfill your faith life and help you have a relationship with the God who is born to us today and died for our sins.”

Or just simply:
“We do this every Sunday. God wants you to join us…”
 
Richard320 said:
The best way is to make the Mass something they’d like to do again.

Where I used to live, one of our associate priests took this as his personal challenge. For several weeks prior he encouraged people to invite neighbors, family, any fallen-away Catholics we know to Christmas Mass. He also lectured us against being holier-than-thou, especially in subtle ways, like not sliding over in the pew to make room for late arrivals. He had a long list - I forget everything. He also recruited volunteers to be greeters at the doors. His goal was that nobody came to Christmas Mass without at least one person wishing them a Merry Christmas and welcoming them to our parish. The place was hugely decorated that year, probably twice the usual flowers. The choir picked Carols that everybody would know.

It was all about attracting people back to church, rather than trying to shame them back.
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This sounds wonderful! I would love to see this at our Parrish!
 
Moore11 said:
I would encourage the Priest to say something about being a practicing Catholic. Not shaming them but at least pointing out the obvious. “there are a lot of new faces here tonight! Welcome! If you are new to the Catholic Mass experience we have many people who can answer some questions. If you are a non practicing Catholic and wish to reconnect with your faith please contact me so I can help you fulfill your faith life and help you have a relationship with the God who is born to us today and died for our sins.”

Or just simply:
“We do this every Sunday. God wants you to join us…”
Click to expand...
One priest I knew used to do this at every Christmas and Easter Mass, and would add that if people had stayed away because they had been hurt by someone in the Church, that he was sorry and was praying for them. It was gentle, and I hope it worked (I am not sure if it did, it was just a parish I attended when visiting relatives - so I was a new face too for those folks!)

Although I think there is a place for “hard lessons,” I think the people who show up just for Christmas and Easter are nowhere near ready for that. If anything, it’ll confirm suspicions about how the Church isn’t “loving” enough.
 
silicasandra said:
One priest I knew used to do this at every Christmas and Easter Mass, and would add that if people had stayed away because they had been hurt by someone in the Church, that he was sorry and was praying for them. It was gentle, and I hope it worked (I am not sure if it did, it was just a parish I attended when visiting relatives - so I was a new face too for those folks!)

Although I think there is a place for “hard lessons,” I think the people who show up just for Christmas and Easter are nowhere near ready for that. If anything, it’ll confirm suspicions about how the Church isn’t “loving” enough.
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Yeah but it sucks that they are sitting in my seat…😃
 
I am happy that they come. Maybe one Christmas or Easter, they will have a “rest of the conversion” moment. 🙂
 
Moore11 said:
Yeah but it sucks that they are sitting in my seat…😃
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Haha, I get what you’re saying. 😉 But still, say a prayer for them and hope that Mass is that crowded always! 😃

(Or, attend a Mass with fewer people - I find that the Christmas Day Masses are much more at “normal” attendance levels than the Christmas Eve ones…)
 
mommy_k said:
How would you go about getting the christmas catholics to attend mass more than just christmas and easter? I was thinking of giving prayer cards or something similar to the infrequent visitors but do not want to insult. Many are fine people, but just go at these times. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Contact the Commissioner of the National Football League and have him move games to Tuesday instead of Sunday?
 
Thank you Monicad for your kind words, encouragement and advice.

Mommyk
 
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