100% agree. Community isn’t just a ‘nice extra’—it literally shapes how people experience the Eucharist. Even the best homily or liturgy lands differently if people feel unseen or disconnected. Small acts of welcome are sacramental in a sense….they prepare hearts for what God is doing in Mass
I have been making it a point to attend Mass more regularly during the week and making Sunday a non-negotiable! I feel there have been more young people and families at our Mass and hope it continues!
I read a study years ago when I was Lutheran that showed the effectiveness of certain activities for encouraging new church membership and retention. Can't remember the percentages, but sending a welcoming basket was pretty ineffective. A visit from the pastor was a little better, but still weak. What blew the curve was *a visit from regular laymembers*. Go and do likewise I say.
I suppose I’m an oddball in that I like being able to be at a liturgy anonymously and effectively invisibly. It seems that other young people like to be attended to by others.
I've witnessed this first hand with friends who are new converts -- for some, their understanding of the Eucharist developed on their own outside of the Mass and locked them into attendance, whether they were finding community or not. For others, finding community first meant uncovering reverence and belief in the real presence later!
100% agree. Community isn’t just a ‘nice extra’—it literally shapes how people experience the Eucharist. Even the best homily or liturgy lands differently if people feel unseen or disconnected. Small acts of welcome are sacramental in a sense….they prepare hearts for what God is doing in Mass
I have been making it a point to attend Mass more regularly during the week and making Sunday a non-negotiable! I feel there have been more young people and families at our Mass and hope it continues!
I read a study years ago when I was Lutheran that showed the effectiveness of certain activities for encouraging new church membership and retention. Can't remember the percentages, but sending a welcoming basket was pretty ineffective. A visit from the pastor was a little better, but still weak. What blew the curve was *a visit from regular laymembers*. Go and do likewise I say.
I suppose I’m an oddball in that I like being able to be at a liturgy anonymously and effectively invisibly. It seems that other young people like to be attended to by others.
The study methodology raises some questions about the conclusion.
For example, asking Catholics who don’t go to mass what they look for in a new parish is like asking a non-drinker what they look for in a new bar.
I've witnessed this first hand with friends who are new converts -- for some, their understanding of the Eucharist developed on their own outside of the Mass and locked them into attendance, whether they were finding community or not. For others, finding community first meant uncovering reverence and belief in the real presence later!