Welcoming

St. John’s is a great welcoming Parish!!

And soon our parish will be welcoming into the next phase of their formation, 6 plus RCIA candidates in what is called THE RITE OF WELCOMING..

Question:  How can we – I – welcome those considering becoming Catholic? The Rite of Welcoming or Acceptance will take place on Nov. 30 at the 5:00 pm Mass.  (A few – not you – have been known to attend another liturgy because perhaps this ritual may extend the mass by about 8 minutes).  But for many of us, it is an opportunity to get to know these prospective new members, who will be introduced to our community for the first time, to shake their hand after the liturgy and introduce ourselves.   Perhaps a part of the ritual we might all witness to them is that of the Signing of the Senses of each candidate by their sponsor:

Receive the sign of the cross on your ears, that you may hear the voice of the Lord.

Receive the sign of the cross on your eyes, that you may see the glory of God.

Receive the sign of the cros on your lips, that you may respond to the word of God.

Receive the sign of the cross over your heart, that Christ may dwell there by faith.

Receive the sign of the cross on you shoulders, that you may bear the gentle yoke of Christ.

Receive the sign of the cross on your hands, that Christ may be known in the work which you do.

Receive te sign of the cross on your feet, that you may walk in the way of Christ.

What a great “send off” into Advent if each of us would “open the door” to our hearts and look at those who are making a step in faith

in their search and journey to following Jesus, what better message might they receive from us than being joyful followers ourselves and saying “Hello, thank you for looking into our Church.  It would be great to see you at Mass each week!”