1. What questions can we ask to help clarify welcoming and belonging?
We want to foster belonging to what/who?
Outreach to whom?
(target audience)
Outreach by whom?
What are the obstacles?
What methods?
(remote, proximate, immediate)
What are the joys and positive outcome for the parish community?

2. Individuals
Parish staff
Pastor/deacon
Parish groups
Entire Parish
Diocesan Offices
Bishop
Outreach by whom?
New parents
Young children
MS/HS youth
College students
Young adults
Couples
Working adults
Retired/seniors
Marginalized
Outreach to whom?
Jesus
The Trinity
Catholic Church
Particular parish
Diocese of Erie
Church’s good works
Small faith community
Belong to whom or what?

3. Higher difficulty, Lower impact Higher impact Lower difficulty,
Do an honest assessment of the potential impact of an initiative,
as well as the labor required to do it successfully, and the likelihood of success.
Higher difficulty,
Lower impact
Higher impact
Lower difficulty,
At first, strive for initiatives which are lower effort,
with the likelihood of high impact.

4. Examples of Lower Difficulty / Higher Impact
Training of Ministers of Hospitality.
Designate Family to do liturgical ministries.
Signage for facilities(bathroom, cry-room, office, schools, religious education, choir, etc.)
Updated Contact list of each ministry, as well as contact information of person in charge.
Welcome letter and packet from pastor.
Lenten / Advent programs (simple meal with talk)
Mentorship / Accompaniment

5. Examples of Higher Difficulty / Higher Impact
Personal Invitation (invite people to help using their gifts and talents)
Change of Pastor
Change of Mass Times
Secret Guest Survey
Updated website
Change of facility (welcoming / gathering space / accessible spaces)
Additional staff…. Pastoral ministers, full time religious ed leader, full time youth minister,)
Mentorship / Accompaniment (connecting people).
Recognition / Appreciation dinners or programs.
Retreat Programs.

6. Examples of Lower Difficulty / Lower Impact
Coffee and Doughnuts after mass monthly.
Announcement after Mass/ Parish Bulletin.
Welcoming packets.
Removing clutter, outdated materials, bulletin boards

7. Examples of Higher Difficulty / Lower Impact
Change of Pastor.
Survey what people like.
Secret Guest Survey.
Fish dinners or spaghetti dinners (fundraisers)
Parish Picnic