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Ministers of Hospitality Offer a Warm Welcome in Faith to All Who Enter Our Church
Whether we are regular parishioners at St. Leo’s or whether guests are entering our church, we are always welcomed by the members of our Ministers of Hospitality ministry. However, there are more hospitality ministers in our parish other than those specifically trained for their work.
“Every registered parishioner at St. Leo’s is considered to be a minister of hospitality,” says Rita Hemmer, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. “It’s not just those trained and on the ministry schedule — it is every single parishioner’s responsibility to welcome others at our Masses. Everyone that comes through our doors should feel like they belong and that this is their church family. All of our visitors and guests should feel the love of Christ when they attend our parish and that is the responsibility of every single parishioner.”
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An important part of the ministers’ training explicitly tells them they are charged with the responsibility of recognizing their fellow Christians, not just as part of a crowd, but as part of the living Body of Christ assembled to hear God’s Word and to share His life.
“Our training sessions include the following statements from our Catholic faith regarding hospitality — St. Paul instructs us, ‘Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you’ (Romans 15:7),” Rita says. “By receiving people with simple love and graciousness, we model the spirit of Jesus and the love He has for each of us. If you are the first point of contact, stay in touch with any individuals who have contacted you.”
The Ministry of Hospitality can also play a major role in our parish’s ability to offer evangelization. During the ministers’ training, they also learn that hospitality is an important element in evangelization.
“The entire parish community, especially the parish leadership, must foster a spirit of hospitality and welcome,” Rita says. “The training emphasizes that this sense of hospitality extends beyond those who participate in formal ‘welcome back’ programs. It includes Catholics who approach the Church at key ‘teachable moments,’ such as couples seeking the Sacrament of Matrimony, parents who have children in Catholic schools or parish-based religious education programs and are bringing their children for sacramental preparation, and Catholics who seek assistance from parish social ministry programs.”
Sue and Doug Whitman serve as ministers of hospitality and share their thoughts behind their service. They understand that their service is that of stewardship.
Sue and Doug Whitman serve as ministers of hospitality.
“Stewardship is taking care of our church family,” Sue says. “We do this by helping people feel comfortable and welcome to our services, whether they are a church member or a stranger. We are taking care of the church family God has given us.”
“Stewardship is about hospitality, which is offering everyone a safe place where God can speak to them,” Doug adds. “And maybe they will see God in our face. The people that enter St. Leo’s may forget the readings and maybe forget the homily, but hopefully, they will not forget how we made them feel. Hospitality is simply an opportunity to show love and care.”
A spiritual benefit the couple has experienced is the growth of their own faith.
“We have grown in our own faith by witnessing all the people that come to Mass and participate,” Doug says. “Serving as ministers of hospitality is an opportunity to put our faith into action. And I think our faith grows when we can serve others.”
By taking part in parish life this way, the couple believes they have encouraged others to serve in other ministries.
“Our efforts have helped others to consider being more involved in church ministries,” Sue says. “It doesn’t take a special person to help; it simply takes a willing heart. I think other parishioners are happy to see a familiar face welcoming them.”
