Welcoming Others?

[Zerg]

Does your parish receive lots of visitors? I remember, once when visiting a church, a lector announced that visitors are welcome; that they should not receive communion out of respect; and that they are encouraged to receive a blessing by crossing their arms. I think its a good idea, because its not always obvious as to what to do.

Perhaps the Stations of the Cross, or anything Catholic, can be unsettling for some who have been misinformed, if these things are not understood.

Ecumenism doesn’t always work out, or is even discouraged by some; but at least people should leave the church building happy.

 

[pianistclare]

Not sure what you are talking about.
Are you saying that someone might wander in to Stations of the Cross and be offended?
What?

 

[peter26]

Not a great deal, being as my parish is in a suburban area. There are a few people on holiday from time to time. In the Ordinariate, we do occasionally get an Anglican who is considering converting.

 

[heidi_storage]

I wouldn’t expect a Catholic church to try to put on a Protestant face. If the priest delivered a homily supporting transubstantiation, I wouldn’t feel offended. Of course, if he started mocking Protestants, that would be different–but I’ve never experienced anything of the sort in a Catholic church. Generally, my presence passes unnoticed, although one time a very nice man asked if I would like to bring up the gifts. (I declined politely.)

 

[MrsAngelala]

heidi-storage, my Protestant husband once came to Mass with me and was asked to take up the collection! After a blink-length pause he agreed. We were amused.

 

[Catholic1954]

heidi-storage, my Protestant husband once came to Mass with me and was asked to take up the collection! After a blink-length pause he agreed. We were amused.

Mine was asked to bring up the gifts. We did it for years! At the end Mass, our new pastors always asks if there are any visitors; the choir sings a (cheesy) welcoming song and Father gives them a blessing. There are usually several people who raise their hands and I’m sure there are others who don’t, but appreciate being asked.

 

[pianistclare]

Anyone can bring up the gifts. They represent the people present. No biggie. We have plenty of families where one spouse is not Catholic. The Deacons dont hesitate to ask them.

 

[heidi_storage]

Anyone can bring up the gifts. They represent the people present. No biggie. We have plenty of families where one spouse is not Catholic. The Deacons dont hesitate to ask them.

Ah, but at the time I had no idea what to do or what was occurring–rather different from being a regular, albeit non-Catholic, attender.

 

[MrsAngelala]

rather different from being a regular, albeit non-Catholic, attender.

I guess I should have mentioned that this was the first time my husband had stepped into that particular church. He did, however, have some idea of what taking up the collection looked like, or he probably would have declined as you did.