GUIDING PRINCIPLE: As God did not create man for life in isolation, but for the formation of social unity, so also "it has pleased God to make men holy and save them not merely as individuals, without bond or link between them, but by making them into a single people, a people which acknowledges Him in truth and serves Him in holiness." Dogmatic Constitution on the Church It is from the parish that the Proclamation of the Gospel goes forth.“The parish exists not for itself, but for the Mission of Christ.And so people are called forth to minister to one another in the parish community, as well as to those around them where they live and work.”(NCCB)After the family, the parish is the focal community of Catholic life, and therefore it is vital that the parish work to build up the local Body of Christ through hospitality and pastoral care.
PURPOSE: 1) To assist parish staff and other parishioners to identify and welcome individuals new to the parish. * Develop a process and materials for use in welcoming new individuals to St. Joseph Parish * Establish Registration Sundays and other Welcoming events * Work with the Liturgy Commission to identify and train ushers and greeters forweekend and holyday liturgies 2) To assist parish staff and other parishioners to invite and support parishioners. * Establish neighborhood support or care groups within the parish * Help conduct events as Commitment Sundays and Ministry Fairs * Provide volunteer assistance for families and individuals experiencing physical or mental hardships. * Coordinate parish social events 3) To create and maintain appropriate education of the commission, volunteers, and the entire parish. *Scriptural and doctrinal basis for ministry of hospitality *Specific education/training sessions created for volunteers, with follow-up. COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP 1) General invitation to the parish, via bulletins, seeking interested participants 2) Calling on representatives from various church groups to be part of the Commission, i.e. *Knights of Columbus*St. Joseph Faith Formation *Council of Catholic Women*Usher/Greeter Ministry *Daughters of Isabella*Mothers’ Group *St. Joseph School 3) One/Two members of the Parish Pastoral Council (Attachment for ARTICLE V, SECTION 2) Adopted February 18, 2009