An Inside Look At Our Greeter Ministry: Fostering Hospitality In Our Faith Community

We’ve learned a lot of new ways to do things during the COVID-19 pandemic, from electronic clinic visits to virtual Mass and much more. We’ve also learned that an important part of our faith is celebrating with one another. The Mass is to be experienced in person, alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ. And, what could be more important than making sure every single person seated around us knows they are truly welcome in God’s house?

A dedicated group of greeters at St. Paul’s makes sure of this. They are there to open the door, lend a smile, or even a hug, once the threat of the spread of COVID-19 has passed.

Ruth Pohlman and her son, Shannon, are committed to making sure everyone who enters the doors at St. Paul’s for 8 a.m. Sunday Mass receives a smile.

About four years ago, Ruth signed up to be a greeter, along with Shannon, as part of the stewardship renewal. The mother-son duo makes a great team — Shannon opens the door and Ruth does the talking.

“I am a social butterfly,” Ruth says. “I like being around people."

The Greeter Ministry is a great way for Ruth and Shannon to use their gifts to give back to our Lord. And, Ruth is a familiar face at St. Paul’s. She and her husband, Dan, have been members at St. Paul’s since they moved from Melrose in 1979. Ruth has actually been a member since birth, except for the few years when they lived in Melrose.

Ruth really believes in the value and importance of the Greeter Ministry, especially as the threat of the virus wanes and we welcome more and more people back to Mass.

“It’s simple,” she says. “It’s just offering a friendly face to greet people and make people know they are welcome.”

The Pohlman family has experienced being on the receiving side of this ministry when they have visited parishes out of town. So, Ruth wants people to have that same welcome feeling at St. Paul’s. As she notes, this would be a great ministry for families, especially those with smaller children. Plus, there are no meetings, and you are already at Mass. Why not offer your time?

Since so many people arrive early to Mass to pray the Rosary, Ruth and Shannon try to arrive about 30 minutes before the start of Mass.

There are many ways we can all work to show hospitality to parishioners and guests, alike. Ruth’s work as a chairperson for a funeral group is another form of hospitality. The funeral groups make a meal for bereaved families for after the burial of the deceased. So, for Ruth, greeting people as they enter God’s house to celebrate the Mass is just one way she welcomes others.

“It is just a simple ministry, but an important one,” she says.

Serving with the Greeters is also the first ministry in which Shannon has been involved. He enjoys serving in this ministry alongside his mom.

“Any way any of us can get involved and use our talents is important,” Ruth says.

If you would like to get involved as a greeter for any of our parishes, please call 320-352-2196.

(From left) Shannon and Ruth enjoy serving as greeters at St. Paul’s Parish.