Welcome Family

Welcome Family

I was about twelve or thirteen when my family took a road trip to Nova Scotia. Sunday morning rolled around, and we were in Wolfville, a small town in the Annapolis Valley. We found the local Catholic Church, St. Francis of Assisi. It was tiny, maybe only a third the size of Holy Redeemer. It’s always a little uncomfortable when we go into an unfamiliar church, especially a small one where everyone seems to know each other. Sometimes, we can’t help but feel a bit like an intruder.

My family tried to settle in. About ten minutes before Mass began, the priest came to the door of the sacristy and scanned the crowd. He spotted my family. He didn’t give us the twice-over. It was more like the four or five times over! After Mass, when we were back in the car, I asked my father if he had noticed the priest’s reaction. He said he sure had, and my father added, “Did you hear him say he wasn’t even the regular priest but a substitute from the neighboring parish!” Do you have a story of a similar experience?

That story came to mind after reading a Faith in Focus article by William Gualtiere in America Media. Gualtiere wrote about his family’s experience visiting a small church in Upstate New York while on vacation. Gualtiere wrote that he was familiar with his parish church, a large Gothic monument where he had worshipped all his life. The New York church was very similar to the church I experienced on vacation in Nova Scotia; it was very intimate, with a small congregation where everyone knew each other.

Gualtiere said that once he got past the initial unease of sticking out in such an intimate setting, he recalled how, despite a different feeling to the church when we come together to share the Eucharist, we are brothers and sisters. He wrote God sometimes challenges us with discomfort. He said worshiping in an unfamiliar setting is like coming into contact with family members we are meeting for the first time.

We sometimes feel awkward visiting an unfamiliar parish while on vacation. I know I do. I’m always anxious to get the lay of the land. I try to figure out where the communion stations might be. I hope I’m not sitting in a seat whose occupant is expected to perform a minor liturgical function like presenting the Offertory Gifts or the favorite one usually occupied by the parish curmudgeon.

We have many visitors here at Holy Redeemer during the summer and throughout the year. Okay, not that many in March. The parish hopes that we make everyone feel welcome. We try to do that with greeters at the doors to welcome everyone on the way into Mass. I make it a point to stand by the front doors to welcome everyone at the beginning of Mass.

At the beginning of the month, we held a short survey and asked visitors and summer residents how we were doing in welcoming them to Holy Redeemer. The feedback was very positive. Over 90% responded that they felt welcomed to the parish. Some people made a few suggestions on how we could do even better. We want to make Holy Redeemer a parish where visitors feel they aren’t strangers but family we are meeting for the first time.

Even More Admirers

Holy Redeemer reopened after renovation over six weeks ago, but first-time Mass attendees can’t stop saying WOW! Sunday, a man approached before Mass to tell me he was impressed by the results. He admired the siding on the addition and how well it matches the existing shingles. He liked the inside color scheme, the lighting, and the sanctuary. He said, “I’m a builder and like everything I see. You did a beautiful job.”  I couldn’t help but take full credit.

Before the 10 o’clock Mass, I noticed another man enter the church through the new side entrance. His head was moving from side to side and up and down. He walked all through the church, taking it all in. I was a little amused, and I finally asked if he needed help. He said, “No, I’m just looking all around. I got married here twenty years ago. I come back every summer and want to see everything you have done.” I haven’t heard a negative comment about anything to do with the renovations. Everyone tells me they love them.

Recently, our Annual Collection kicked off. Each year, during August and September, the parish asks our permanent and seasonal parishioners to make a significant extra donation to help carry the parish through the leaner winter months. We have budgeted the collection to raise $85,000. We will use proceeds above this amount to fund several other renovations we must do in the parish.  

Most important is the renovation of the parking lot at Holy Redeemer. We plan to make a new entrance directly off Old Harbor Road, resurface, add lighting, and re-line it to create parking stalls rather than the present lanes. Estimated cost is $40,000. A parishioner has already donated $25,000 towards this item. New doors costing approximately $40,000 are needed at Our Lady of Grace. Over the next few years, we anticipate residing the rest of Holy Redeemer Church with the same materials used on the new addition. That is estimated to cost about $350,000. These are sizable projects but not beyond the resources of our parish if parishioners are generous. We have already received two gifts of $10,000 towards the Annual Collection and $ __ from ___ parish households.

I especially hope parishioners who did not contribute to the Capital Campaign and now see the fruits of our renovation will want to contribute. Even if you can’t give a significant gift to the Annual Collection, please consider increasing your weekly Budget Offering. When was the last time you reviewed it? Like yourself, parish expenses are subject to inflation and rising costs. I want you to recognize God’s power in our parish and catch the excitement.

Registered parishioners received an Annual Collection mailing a couple of weeks ago. Please promptly send in your contribution so we can reach our goal and start working on the additional renovation projects. Extra Annual Collection contribution cards are available in the pews and at the welcome desks at the church’s doors.