Dear Friends,

Weddings and funerals in the church are times when people who have been away from community gatherings return to celebrate or grieve. Those who minister in the life of the church know that these moments are times people might reconnect with the practice of the faith, return to the sacraments, or maybe have a seed planted of God’s presence while they continue to journey. The role of Hospitality is critical in having weddings and funerals in our sacred space. 

At St. Patrick, we host both funeral Masses and, on occasion, funeral receptions where we have funeral hosts, men and women, who give their time to welcome guests, guide visitors towards the restrooms, or help them find a seat or answer questions. During the Mass, they also respond to the prayers at the service to comfort or support the gathering. Many of our ministers have said "yes" to these ministries as they have experienced the loss of a loved one, and they see the need to support those in their grief. Would you consider learning about these ministries and possibly saying "yes" to serve? You can contact Torri Winn at the Parish Office to have a conversation.

At weddings, we have a team of Wedding Hosts who attend the wedding, welcome guests, many of whom are not Catholic or have never been to St. Patrick. They share stories with the wedding party/guests, respond to the prayers at Mass, or the service. They guide people in coming forward for communion. Just providing a welcoming presence makes a big difference to those who attend weddings here. If you are interested, please contact me at the Parish Office so I can tell you directly about the great gift of ministry of being present at our weddings. 

I hope parishioners who are looking to serve in different ways would consider one of these two ministries. It makes an impact in both joys and sorrows at these two occasions. Hospitality is vital to the life of a parish community.

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Eric