Dear Parish Family,
One of the innovations here at St. Alphonsus Parish is Hospitality Sunday and now Hospitality Saturday. While this is an innovation here at our parish we know that it is far from being unique. Many parishes around the Archdiocese as well as around the United States have something similar. What is hospitality and why encourage it?
I suppose the best answer is to experience it here on the second Sunday of the month following the 10:30 a.m. Mass or on Saturday evening after the 4:00 p.m. Mass when we don’t have a wedding scheduled for the evening. It is on such an occasion that people gather together after celebrating the Eucharist to be eucharist to one another while enjoying s piece of Danish and something to drink.
A time of hospitality is an opportunity to re-connect with others who one may have seen recently or not for many days. It’s an opportunity to meet new people who are with us for the first time as someone new in the community or are here only one time as they pass from here back to their homes many miles away.
We are blessed to have some very generous people who volunteer doughnuts, coffee, cake or myriad other goodies to make this possible. The generosity of those who take the time to stay and enjoy hospitality with others is also wonderful to savor as well.
One of the great aspects about hospitality is that if one wishes she or he can bring whatever they would like to add to the hospitality experience: a dozen cookies, a small cake, coffee cake, their own presence which is welcomed and enjoyed by all.
We are fortunate to currently have hospitality once a month at two of our weekend masses. I would still like to see us initiate something after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. I’m sure there are people attending this Mass who would also enjoy sharing eucharist after the Eucharist. We just need some people to get it started.
We have a very diverse community who travel in many different directions during the week. There often is not time to have a chance to talk with one another beyond a word or two coming in or leaving Mass. Hospitality Saturday or Sunday gives all of us the opportunity to re-connect by spending a little time with others. It is here where one is nourished not only physically but also spiritually.
Thanks to all who make hospitality possible. And to those who attend the Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass…this can be yours as well. There are some truly great, fun-filled people who regularly attend this Mass. All it takes is someone to step up and make it happen.
Thought for the Week: “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”
Have a great week ahead!
Fr. Richard