Hospitality in the New Year

Why not resolve to ramp up your hospitality efforts this year? Catholic parishes can seem cold and unfriendly to newcomers. Here are 20 suggestions to guage your warmth factor from an outsider’s point of view.

1. What does your outdoor sign say? If a person who knew nothing of Catholicism read it, would they be drawn in?
2. Is there enough parking for newcomers who may arrive late? If your lot is overflowing, can you reserve a few spaces for visitors? Or provide a valet service?
3. Do you have parking lot greeters?
4. Do you have a hospitality team? Do you have more than one?
5. Do ushers and greeters have name tags?
6. Do ushers and greeters go out of their way to say hello to people they do not recognize and provide them with a hymnal or worship aid?
7. Are restrooms clearly marked?
8. Is there a place to hang coats?
9. Do regular parishioners “slide in” so newcomers don’t have to climb over them to find a seat?
10. Do regular parishioners introduce themselves and at least one other parishioner to a new person each Sunday?
11. Do communion ministers smile? Really, check next Sunday.
12. What’s in the bulletin? Are there confusing (for newcomers) words and acronyms such as “RCIA” and “CCD”? Is it clear who to contact if someone wants more information about the parish or parish programs?
13. What happens at coffee and doughnuts? Are newcomers sought out and welcomed into circles of conversation? Really, stand back and watch next Sunday?
14. Is there a simple way for newcomers to request more information? Cards in the pews or a book in the gathering space for example? If someone fills one out, how long will it take for a staff member or parishioner to reply?
15. Is there a live receptionist on duty on Sunday? Think about it. Sunday is the parish’s biggest day to receive and welcome people.
16. How does the receptionist answer the phone? Call anonymously sometime (or listen in while a friend does), and think about how a newcomer would hear things.
17. Do you have a parish Web site? Try looking at it from the eyes of someone who knows nothing about Catholicism. What does it “say” to seekers?
18. Is there child care for young families during Mass? One of the biggest draws of your neighboring evangelical parish is that they have child care on Sunday.
19. Does your parish recognize and celebrate the diversity of “family”?
20. Do people on the margins feel welcome at your parish? How do you know? What are you doing to reach out to them?