November 2003
Reaching Out to New Families
Questions of
Conversion -
Pt 2
If conversion lies at the heart of all we do,
what can we deliberately do to make it the centerpiece of our work with
new families? Can we
actually plan and program for conversion?
I believe that we can...and must
(but see the end of this article!).
As I suggested last month,
the idea of conversations lies at heart of the matter.
Conversations...along the Way
Recall the story of the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24. This
moving encounter with the Risen Lord involves a long conversation. Pastoral
ministers often refer to this passage as a model for catechesis. This
encounter offers at least four important movements which we can consider for
our own ministry:
-
Jesus meets his followers on their
way. In this story, the disciples do not go out of their way to
look for him; Jesus meets them where they are.
-
Jesus listens to their story. Instead of
revealing his identity right way, Jesus listens attentively as the disciples
pour out the distress and anxiety of their experiences to him. This is
another way that Jesus meets them where they are, and does not impose
himself on them.
-
Finally Jesus tells his story. The
disciples later recall how their "hearts were burning" as Jesus explains the
full meaning of his life, death and resurrection. They were open to hear
Jesus' story, because he first listened to theirs.
-
Their eyes were opened. The disciples
finally recognized Jesus, and the whole picture came together. This moment
of transformation happened after a full give-an-take dialogue with
Jesus.
Conversations...with new families
I would argue that our outreach to new families to our
parish, catechetical ministry, or school should follow a similar pattern as
described above. How can we meet new families on their own particular Road
to Emmaus?
In the ideal world,
the encounter might run like this:
The
call. A family that is interested in registering for our parish, school
or catechetical ministry calls the office to inquire. They are warmly
greeted by a member of the staff, and invited to stop by for a visit, at
their convenience.
The visit. When they stop by, a member of
the pastoral staff greets them with refreshments and a hot cup of something.
The family is introduced to members of the office staff. They receive any
necessary paperwork.
The conversation. The staff member talks
with family members about what brought them here, and answers questions that
they may have about the community or programs. In a non-threatening manner,
he/she invites family members to talk about any issues or concerns that they
have, and ways that the parish/school might help them in the life as a
Christian family. The staff member shares elements of his/her own faith, and
the desire of the community to journey with the family in faith.
At the end of the 20-40 minute conversation, the
minister and the family have made a nice connection. The family has a sense
that the community is interested in and cares about them, and the minister
has a sense of the gifts and needs of the new family. If there is some
urgent pastoral need that emerges, the pastoral minister puts the family in
touch with the appropriate resource. As they follow up with any parish or
school programs, the pastoral staff keep in mind any needs or gifts surfaced
in the conversation.
The journey of conversion continues....
Whose conversion?
In the scenario above, conversion can happen on the parts
of both the family and the minister. As we meet people where they are, and
truly listen to them, we become better equipped to respond to their needs.
Our programs are substantial and meaningful; families are drawn deeper into
discerning the gift of faith and authentic living. The process also enhances
our own journey of ongoing conversion. Getting in touch with the
gifts and needs of others enables us to be more realistic about our own
weaknesses and strengths. It is a humbling and uplifting process.
And what about the Real
World?
Many will suggest that the "ideal world" scenario
doesn't happen too much. People don't come to us on our terms that often;
our communities are often too large or geographically spread out for the
one-on-one encounter. We don't have the luxury of extra time to spend with
new families, especially if we work in a parish or school that is bringing
in many families. And they certainly don't come to the office as much
as they used to.
There are numerous ways to replicate the "Emmaus
dynamic" that I have described, outside of the "ideal scenario". In fact,
your situation might end up being better than the "ideal" which I imagined.
Use questions like these to frame your planning:
-
How are we meeting new families "where they
are"? An Example:
St. Joseph Parish in Eldersburg
has a group of volunteers who pay welcoming visits to parishioners.
-
How can we build conversations like the
one described into our process of meeting and welcoming new families?
-
What gifts can new families bring to our
community? How do we develop a deeper appreciation for those gifts?
-
Is reaching out to new families a burden and
obligation, or a joy and inspiration for us? How can we maximize the
positive, especially if the families we encounter appear indifferent,
negative or angry?
-
When someone asks to be part of our community,
do we make them feel welcomed? Do procedures in our office,
from our phones to our reception at the door, draw people in and make them
feel comfortable?
-
Can we provide community members with
opportunities to share their stories of faith, and to reach out to new
families? Small faith sharing groups are an obvious example of this.
-
If we are unable to meet new families in person,
is there a way that we could have an informal conversation on the phone?
After mass, or in the hall?
-
Is it obvious to new families that we are
more concerned with the Gospel of Jesus Christ than processes or
programs?
Planning for Conversion?
Let's not be presumptuous about "planning for
conversion". Conversion is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit! However,
by establishing an environment where conversations about life and faith can
take place, we will do much to evangelize our new families.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished
from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning
within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"
- Luke 24:31-32
Chris Weber
Director,
Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland
301-447-3707
Copyright © 2003 by the Catholic Education
Ministries Center of Central Maryland, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. All rights reserved.
Comments about this
article? Great ideas that you want to share? Send me your remarks via Email...
|
