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.
Very well said! When I was a Protestant, it was easy to stick with my local community. After converting, I constantly battled with the temptation of chasing the next best liturgy, the next best people, whatever that is. After all, it’s the same Mass anyway all around the world, right, and it doesn’t matter if I go parish-hopping, right? Then I quickly realized the spirit of evangelism won’t take root unless we root ourselves in our local parish and be the change we want to see.
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.
Very well said! When I was a Protestant, it was easy to stick with my local community. After converting, I constantly battled with the temptation of chasing the next best liturgy, the next best people, whatever that is. After all, it’s the same Mass anyway all around the world, right, and it doesn’t matter if I go parish-hopping, right? Then I quickly realized the spirit of evangelism won’t take root unless we root ourselves in our local parish and be the change we want to see.
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!