2. What is the “Welcome Weekend”?
This is a simple opportunity to open the doors of the parish wide
and encourage parishioners to personally invite others they know
to "come and see" the Catholic Church for themselves, as their guest.
These guests may be family members, extended family, friends, neighbors,
or those "the world may consider 'the least, the last, and the lost’.”
They may be Catholics, drifted away Catholics, members of another church, or the rapidly increasing "nones".

3. Where did it come from? “My Challenge to the People of God”
As we launch the implementation of this Plan for our archdiocese, we must embrace our call to invite others to encounter Jesus, who when He called His disciples said to them “Come and see.” Someone will come to a small group faith sharing or an adult faith formation class only if first invited. It is through our invitation that many a young person may consider a vocation. And it is certainly through our invitation that those who feel lost can feel welcome at our parishes. As Catholics we must invite those the world might consider “the least, the last and the lost” to friendship with Jesus Christ.
Many told me that the reason why it took them so long to become a Catholic or return to the faith was that no one had asked them.
In the year ahead I ask each parish to host at least one evening of welcome as an outreach to the un-Churched in their neighborhoods. This parish-based event would be an opportunity to gather together and celebrate the Word, with reflection, music and perhaps some refreshment. Most importantly, I am inviting every Catholic in South Florida to invite one other person to this or another event at your parish. Be “first to move toward your brothers and sisters” as Pope Francis has challenged us.

4. Whose responsibility is it?
We Are All Called to be a Missionary People
“The People of God is a People of disciples ― because we receive the faith ― and a missionary People ― because we pass on the faith.
This is what makes baptism in us: it gives us grace and transmits the faith.
All of us in the Church are disciples, always and for our entire lives; and we are all missionaries, each in the place that the Lord has assigned us.”
Archbishop Wenski, Homily October 1, 2016

5. Whose responsibility is it?
“For most Catholics, the parish is their primary experience of the Church. It is where they gather for weekly worship, celebrate their most joyous occasions, and mourn their deepest losses.”
-Our Hearts Were Burning Within US no. 114, USCCB   
“The parish is, without doubt, the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and expressed.
This is called to be a fraternal and welcoming family where Christians become aware of being the people of God.” (257)
—General Directory of Catechesis, no 257

6. Evangelii Gaudium #24
The Church which “goes forth” is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast.
Let us try a little harder to take the first step and to become involved.
An evangelizing community gets involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives; it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself if necessary, and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others. Evangelizers thus take on the “smell of the sheep” and the sheep are willing to hear their voice.
An evangelizing community is also supportive, standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be. It is familiar with patient expectation and apostolic endurance.
Faithful to the Lord’s gift, it also bears fruit. An evangelizing community is always concerned with fruit, because the Lord wants her to be fruitful. It cares for the grain and does not grow impatient at the weeds.
Finally an evangelizing community is filled with joy; it knows how to rejoice always. It celebrates every small victory, every step forward in the work of evangelization. Evangelization with joy becomes beauty in the liturgy, as part of our daily concern to spread goodness. The Church evangelizes and is herself evangelized through the beauty of the liturgy, which is both a celebration of the task of evangelization and the source of her renewed self- giving.
-- Go forth with Confidence because we know the Lord has taken the initiative. He has loved us first.
--So we can take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, and welcome the outcast.
-When I was in college, I belonged to an interdenominational, mostly Asian, fellowship. I spent a long time feeling like an outsider, despite various efforts at reaching out to me… I realized I had been called to serve. I was called to be a protagonist, even when I felt new. Why? Because Jesus had loved me. And I was free to take the initiative to love others.

7. Process of Evangelization
Watering, Weeding, & Removing Rocks
Bearing Great Fruit
Planting the Seed
Tilling the Soil
Outreach
Evangelization
Discipleship
Parish
Missionary

8. Where do you think the “Welcome Weekend” fits into the parish Process of Evangelization?

9. Where does it fit into our parish life?
Watering, Weeding, & Removing Rocks
Bearing Great Fruit
Planting the Seed
Tilling the Soil
Outreach
Evangelization
Discipleship
Parish
Missionary

10. When is the “Welcome Weekend”?
Saturday, December 8
and
Sunday, December 9

11. What do we do?
Before During After

12. What do you think was the number one area needing improvement identified here in Miami?

13. Before
Invite every parishioner at Mass to invite and accompany someone to Mass.
Invite registered non-attenders back to church.
Reach out to your ministry leaders to mobilize their groups.
Put up the banner outside.
Run the ads in your bulletin.
Prepare your Greeters and Ushers.
Assume Nothing.
Run a “practice” the weekend before.
Schedule some special follow up events for the next few weeks to invite people too.
Record to measure change.

14. During On the way in to Church: “Welcome to Church” Signage Appearance
Parking
Greeters

15. During In the Church: Ushers Welcome from Priest Music Responses
Homily
Reception of the Eucharist
Invitation back
Advent and Christmas
Other Events
Request personal information
In Pew Registration

16. During On the way out of Church: Coffee and Donuts
Parish Information Table
Parish Ministry Fair
Thank you
Giveaways
“FORMED”
“Just Smile”

17. After Follow up personally with guests.
Thank those who invited someone.
Run some other special “Welcome” events
By age
By ministry
By need

18. Resources to help you: This Presentation The Logo
Bulletin Announcements
Social Media Templates
Open Forum Idea Pool
The “Playbook”
What other resources do you think would be helpful for a successful “Welcome Weekend”?

19. THANK YOU!