THE VIBRANT PARISH NEWSLETTER

THANK YOU and Survey Results

Hello friends!

My name is Danielle Center, I’m joining LPi with background in marketing, printing, and 10 years of Church experience in and with the Archdiocese of Detroit. I’m humbled to have a position that serves good people like you who are telling the world about Jesus Christ (I love him so much).

In January I worked with the team who surveyed you about the Vibrant Parish Newsletter (what you’re reading right now). We sought to understand what was working for you, and what we could improve for your enrichment. We learned that the Vibrant Parish Newsletter has a high open rate and that most of its readership is parish staff or very involved volunteers. We learned that you’re most interested in:

• Tips for engaging your parishioners
• Best practices for church communication — print and electronic
• And free content for you to share
  
  

With that in mind, the Vibrant Parish Newsletter will look different over the next few months. My goal is to continue to produce relevant and free content for you, feature more “real” parishes and parish staff, and to deliver messaging that is helpful and informative to your ministry.

To chat about any of this, comment on the survey findings, or tell me more about you and how we can better serve your community, drop me an email at [email protected].

I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you as we tell the world that God is good, and that He loves everyone.

Praise God for His faithfulness!

Danielle Center

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5 Ways to Welcome Visitors This Easter

Easter Sunday is a profound and sacred day on our Church calendar, and that spark of glory is sometimes partnered with guests visiting your church who aren’t regular church goers. Some folks may be members of your congregation who you see from time-to-time, others might be out-of-town family members or newcomers to the neighborhood.

In 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday,” a reference to churches traditionally being spaces of segregation instead of unity. Most communities don’t purposely exclude, but, in the words of Indian-American Rakhi McCormick, a convert to Catholicism from the Hindi faith of her family — inclusion won’t “just happen,” it needs to be something carefully considered, especially since the experience of many Catholics reflects Eurocentric expression, representation, and devotion.

How can your parish prepare for Easter Sunday and visitors who may feel out-of-place in your community?

Dr. Ansel Augustine, Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, offered these 5 tips for making your parish a welcoming space that lives out Christ’s command to “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

Educate Ushers/ Ministers of Hospitality/ Parish Staff/ Ministry Leads on how to spot and welcome new people and families to Parish Events and Masses

Create (or update!) Welcome Materials to give to visitors with parish information

Collect their information … and follow up!

Invite them to be added to the parish email list and invite them to join a ministry in the church

Update the parish website so all the information is accurate and relevant

While our faith and the joy of the Resurrection have been celebrated for centuries, Dr. Ansel Augustine reminds us all that this is a new time in the Church, “As the pandemic lifts, there may be more 'new folks' coming to our parishes in the hopes that our faith could help them make sense of this 'new normal,' let us be aware of this reality, by teaching and preaching to our congregations, that all are welcome in God's house, and to make sure that we engage with the new faces in a way that they feel welcomed and included in parish life.”

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Engaging Volunteers: Is It a Generation Thing?

As much as we may not want to admit it, sometimes age is more than just a number. Generational differences shape our worldview, and we bring those characteristics with us to church. They can manifest in how we worship, how we serve and how we interact with the people and entities around us.

So, when building and activating an effective parish volunteer base, it’s important to take note of the different experiences and priorities inherent in each generational experience. A lifelong parishioner who still remembers the pre-Vatican II days will not have the same gifts and aspirations as a college student who loves devotional podcasts. Both volunteers bring their own charism to the job, equally important to your parish — but the act of engaging them in the work could look very different.

Baby Boomers (Born approximately 1946 to 1964)

It may be the case that this generation represents your parish’s “church elders,” but the chances are they don’t see themselves that way. For decades, the Baby Boomers represented the newness and youth of the “post-conciliar” liturgical and social movements, and that designation is a source of pride for many. Baby Boomers came of age during a time when lay involvement in parish administration was still controversial, and they want their contributions to matter. Boomers are either at or approaching retirement age, so they may find themselves with more free time to fill. They also represent a wealth of professional knowledge and expertise that can be useful to your parish. Boomers are also more financially well-off than their counterparts of previous generations so may be more open to financial stewardship than younger parishioners.

Gen X (Born approximately 1965 to 1980)

Gen X is often called “the forgotten generation,” sandwiched between the larger and more notorious Boomers and Millennials — but you definitely don’t want to forget about the Gen Xers at your parish. These folks are technologically literate, more likely to be college-educated than their parents, and are ascending to the peak of their professional careers. They are more likely than millennials to be religious and more likely to make room in their life for daily prayer, though the vast majority do not report being involved in any kind of regular religious study or education group. Chances are the Gen Xers in your parish are resourceful and well-connected, used to getting the job done without much supervision (they were the ones to give rise to the famous term “latchkey kid,” after all), and able to give more freely of their time and treasure than millennials.

Millennials (Born approximately 1980 to 1995)

Within Catholic circles, millennials often have the reputation of being more “traditionally minded” — but if that is true, it’s because millennials’ experience of the modern church and the world at large is often vastly different than their parents’ was. Millennials came of age in the wake of 9/11, as the economy crumbled, and the church was splashed across headlines in scandal after scandal. Churchgoing millennials are the exception to the rule, so they are unique among their friends or fellow Catholic school graduates in remaining observant. They are currently the biggest part of the American workforce so their time is often limited to the weekends and after work; at the same time, the majority of millennials earn less and carry more debt than previous generations, so they may see giving of their time as more feasible than giving monetarily.

Generation Z (Born approximately 1997-2012)

Despite being “digital natives” who likely don’t remember the days before the world was connected via social media, Gen Z-ers have a unique appreciation for the importance of meaningful human interaction. And while this generation may account for low church attendance rates, that doesn’t mean religion has no place in their lives. This group views the world through the lens of relationships. “If you ask any young person what they enjoy…their answer will be time spent with their peers, time doing things ‘that matter,’” said a priest involved in youth ministry. Research reports a low confidence in traditional institutions (including organized religions) but a high degree of confidence in those people and groups who make them feel heard. “One thing I heard for sure from Gen Z volunteers was: give us more responsibility,” said one parish leader. “Consult us. Don’t just tell us what you need. Let us be a part of the process.”

Volunteers are at the heart of our parishes, knowing a little about how the people of your church might approach volunteering will help you harness their power and build a more vibrant community. Check out New Ways to Recruit Parish Volunteers for some more valuable tips.

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Parish Websites for all Skill Levels

Does your church website need some attention, but you’re not sure where to start? WeConnect is designed for Catholic churches with easy setup, customizable layouts, and expert tech support.

FREE Easter & Holy Week Catholic graphics

Update your social media feeds, websites, or printed material with these free professional graphics. WeCreate offers beautiful Catholic graphics for your ministry communications.

Ukraine Graphics and Resources

With firm hope in the power of prayer, we unite our intentions for peace in communities around the world. These resources can be placed in bulletins, social media, or online as needed.