Room at the Table

As members of the Church, we strive to grow in our relationship with God and help others to do the same. Many people are not drawn to the Church without first feeling at home, like they belong. Hospitality makes the Church feel like home. It allows people to experience the Church in the most human way: imperfectly, with love.

The priest, deacon or pastoral minister cannot be present in every pew of every Mass to do this welcoming. It is up to the people sitting in the pew, the people who make up the Body of Christ, in His Church.

We are all called to engage in active hospitality. Here's an example to help illustrate what that means. Imagine you were invited to attend a great banquet, but you had to go alone:

Active hospitality in a church could look like:

• A kind and simple greeting at the door
• People in the pews, not just greeters, noticing new people and saying hello
• Helping people find the washrooms or accessible entrances
• Welcoming children and families

Want to share this with your whole Family of Parishes? This is available as a downloadable PDF that could be added to your bulletin. Get it here: dol.ca/phase-two-ignite-resources (Click on Bulletin Insert - Make Room at the Table.)