Religious ‘Nones’ in America: Who They Are and What They Believe.
28% of US adults are religious unaffiliated (NONES)
The article addresses:
- How are the ‘nones’ defined?
- Why are they nonreligious?
- Are they all nonbelievers?
- Are they spiritual instead of religious?
- and more…
Quote from Living as Missionary Disciples
It is in personal and communal prayer that the disciple cultivates a relationship of deep friendship with Jesus Christ and seeks to embrace the will of the Father through the Holy Spirit. Eucharistic nourishment and daily prayer are a sign of the primacy of grace in the missionary disciple’s journey. (pg. 22)
| Practical Ideas for Radical Hospitality 1. Scenario: you see someone in Church you don’t know. You approach them and find out they are a visitor. If you practice radical hospitality you will: Share your name Introduce them to at least 3 other parishioners and the celebrant Invite them to parish activities Explain items in bulletin Invite them for coffee Invite them to sit with you next week 2. Name Tag Sunday: Three times a year have Name Tag Sunday. When people come into church they put just their FIRST NAME (written with a thick marker, BIG) on a name tag to be worn at Mass. Before Mass encourage them to look directly at each other’s tags. No sideways glances or casual peeking. A direct, frontal look and say “hello (name)”. You’d be surprised the number of people who do not know each other by name. They think they know everyone, but they will identify the person by “the lady that sits in the third row on the left.” “The young couple that always seem rushed.” “The woman who sits directly behind me.” Once the parishioners get the hang of this community builder, challenge them to change their pew every time you have Name Tag Sunday so they meet new people. (I find people would rather have their wisdom teeth pulled then change pews in Church!) Let’s take radical hospitality seriously. 3. View these 3 short videos on “Building a Cultural of Hospitality in your Parish” by Rebuilt. It is a series of 3 excellent videos that are about 30 minutes. Bring your whole team to watch them together: Hospitality | Week 1 | Stephanie DownesHospitality | Week 2 | Analia KolakowskiHospitality | Week 3 | Fr. Michael White 4. Print out handout on How Welcoming Am I? read, live and share with others. Note the ideas on the back side of the handout: Sample Letter to the Bereaved at Christmas and Sample Letter to loved Ones on the First Anniversary of death. |
| New Wine, New Wineskins This faith sharing resource is specifically written for restructured parishes. You are invited to learn more this program and how to incorporate it into the life of your parish by attending one of the two training sessions. Click here for the flyer. You can attend in person or by zoom. Dates: Oct. 12 or Oct. 19. Suggestions for bringing your parishes together in your Family:Exchange choirs. On the feast day of one parish, the other parishes in the Family host the reception.Give a short history of the parishes in the bulletin.When a person dies in one parish, announce it in all the parishes of the Family.Invite anyone interested to a zoom call and discuss: “What do you love about your parish?” Plan Ahead: Outdoor Nativity Set. Every Christmas we hear people bemoan the fact that Christ is being removed from Christmas. Why not ask every household to display a Nativity Scene either in their window or on their front lawn? Outdoor scenes can range in price from $30 to well over a $100. As a FoP, encourage parishioners to accept the challenge – how many households will display their faith this Christmas? Click here to view Nativity Sets |
| Alpha News Alpha is being held in 15 Families in the Diocese. Please keep them in your prayers. More parishes are planning on offering Alpha in the Spring.Alpha Retreat for Adults (this is for all participants that are doing Alpha now): Saturday, November 9th at St. Philip the Apostle Parish. 950 Losson Road, Ckwga. NY 14227. 9:00 – 3:00 PM. No cost. Lunch included. To register click here. Interested in knowing more about Alpha Youth? View their new materials, resources and videos. New Alpha Youth Series – Alpha USA For more information on Alpha www.alphausa.org. |
Around the Diocese
Revival 2024: The Time is Now: October 26 and 27.
St. Martin de Porres, 555 Northampton St. Fr. Arthur Cavitt, OP speaker.
Download the flyer here.