The Three Minute Rule

By Rosie Reynolds, Diocesan Stewardship Council

We Catholics are accustomed to privacy in our faith. “My prayer life and my faith are between God and myself.” I was raised that way and I’ll bet many of you were too. Research is showing us that our spiritual growth is strongly tied to our faith community, a feeling that we are a part of the church, that we are needed and cared about.

Here’s an easy idea to strengthen that welcoming spirit within your own church. It’s called “The Three Minute Rule.” After Mass is concluded and the final song is sung, spend 3 minutes visiting with someone you don’t know or you don’t know well. This could be a visitor to your parish, a new parishioner or someone who has attended for a period of time but you haven’t yet met or visited with. Open the conversation with “I don’t think we’ve met yet,” rather than “Are you new?” And taking the risk that they’ve attended for a period and you’ve never noticed. Talk of church activities, community matters or any topic; but show interest in them and in what they enjoy, perhaps their famil. Welcome them back to celebrate with your faith community. “I look forward to seeing you at……”

The most powerful welcome comes from the person from whom you least expect it. The strongest greeting comes from a person who greets you, not because it’s their job (greeter), but rather it offers a spontaneous and heartfelt greeting and conversation. Make it easier on yourself by sitting in various places around your church, notice a person you don’t know and intentionally sit near him or her.

Every effort we make is a gift to God and a valuable service to the welcoming spirit of our church.