Come and listen with new ears to the sounds and symbols of Christmas

Transcription

1 Come and listen with new ears to the sounds and symbols of Christmas

2 Purpose of Event Do You Hear What I Hear? Build on the Christmas spirit Reflect on the theology behind the lyrics Invite people to fuller participation in the Church (active and inactive Catholics) Deepen community Why Christmas Carols? Starting in early November they can be heard in the malls, restaurants, office parties, car radios, school plays Almost all Christians love to hear, sing, hum Christmas songs, even those who have left the Church Christmas Carols speaks of an intimate and immanent Christ who dwells among us, and celebrates a God who continues to be born in us Meet with pastor, staff and pastoral council Identify and develop a team Assign tasks with each team member and volunteers responsible for one area. Incorporate the children to participate in the program (this brings the parents, relatives, neighbors, friends) Plan and rehearse the event Advertise, advertise, advertise Make this a parish method of outreach to inactive Catholics all parishioners are on the team 2

3 Promotion Bulletin announcements: Christmas IQ Flyers: display at Church, meeting rooms, school, local businesses, community centers Invitational Postcards: encourage all parishioners to distribute to family, friends, neighbors and work associates Advertise in local newspapers (bulletin announcements, flyers and Invitational Postcards are on the CD Rom) Prayer Invite homebound and prayer group to pray for the fruitful success of this event Incorporate petitions in Prayers of the Faithful (on CD) Ask all parishioners to pray Offer a holy hour for all parishioners to pray for those away from the Church and all those who will be attending the Do You Hear What I Hear? event Environment Collect all props Set up room: manger, hay, advent wreath, chairs (be sensitive to those with special needs: access for persons with disabilities, aids for the hearing impaired, easy movement around the room, accessible restrooms, etc.) Create prayerful ambiance: comfortable temperature, lighting, soft music Logistics Name Tags Ask everyone to put on a name tag, first name only BIG using a thick pen. Greeters Make people feel welcomed the minute they come on the property. Station greeters at all the entrances, as well as standing at the walkways leading into the building Transportation Provide rides for those in need Signs Directional signs, bathrooms locations Music System Check out the system ahead of time and set up. Have everyone practice on the microphone beforehand Print Materials Welcome to the Parish cards Invitational Postcards Program: Do You Hear What I Hear? (Feel free to adapt the songs, customs and rituals to reflect your parish community) 3

4 Implementing the Event: Do You Hear What I Hear? Narrator/Leader One person or a variety of people can direct this parish event. Focus People should leave with a clearer, deeper experience of God who is imminent, personal. A God who continues to dwell among us. Heavenly Visitor A good articulate, animated speaker can make any event come alive. Practice with St. Francis before the event. The Script for St. Francis is on the CD. Other Saints who could visit are: St. Nicholas, St. Lucy, Our Lady of Guadalupe, your parish saint. Silence Allow time for people to listen to the voice of God within. Movement Ringing bells, singing, standing and sitting, coming forward to place hay in the manger, etc. Ritual A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. Invite participants to be involved in a meaningful ritual during the event. Eg. Placing hay in a manger, lighting a candle, putting star on tree, blessing oneself Music Music creates an atmosphere that enables the divine to be present. Have a variety of music: choir, congregational, solo, instrumental. If live music is not possible have a quality CD player. Sharing Allow people time to share with a few others or with the larger group. This can take the form of: sharing a word or line with one or two others, reflecting on a faithsharing question, offering a prayer petition, etc. Those who do not want to share should have the freedom to remain silent. Take Home Symbol Taking home a symbol from the event is a way to continue the experience. Social Invite volunteers to provide refreshments and serve food. Consider offering ethnic foods. Prepare any items that individuals are encouraged to take home (ex. Candy cane with message, chalk for house blessing) If offering Polish Wafer to purchase, order and assign someone to sell Clean-up Follow-Up Evaluate Event and determine future direction for next year Review and follow-up on Welcome to Parish cards Determine further out-reach 4

5 Come and listen with new ears to the sounds and symbols of Christmas Date/Time Place Free Admission, surprise gifts Bring all your friends Advertisement Flyer and Invitational Postcards Welcome to ( ) Parish Please indicate if there is anything we can do for you. Drop in the basket or hand to a parish representative. Name: Phone: I am looking for a Parish Home. I would like to return to the Church. I would like to know more about Catholicism. Please pray for Other: CD Rom 1. Script for Narrator 2. Leader s Guide 3. Booklet for Participants (in Publisher) 4. Script for St. Francis 5. Welcome to the Parish Cards 6. Advertisement Flyer 7. Bulletin Announcements: Christmas IQ 8. Christmas Songs Quiz 9. Christmas Songs Quiz Answers 10. Invitational Postcards 11. Prayers of the Faithful 12. Candy Cane Prayer Welcome to the Parish Card 5

6 Eighth week before: Meet with Pastor Develop Team Determine responsibilities Team members begin to form their own committee to assist them Seventh Week before: Team meets Pray and discuss the work of all committees especially: Promotion and Prayer Have bulletin and pulpit announcement informing parishioners to Hold The Date Print Invitational Postcards and flyers Put Christmas Quiz in bulletin (do this each week) Incorporate petition at Mass (do this each week) Sixth Week before: Invite Parishioners to take Invitational Postcards (do each week) Invite people to take flyers to advertise around the neighborhood (do each week) Team meets Pray and discuss the work of all committees especially: Print materials and Develop the Program Fifth Week before: Team meets Pray and discuss the work of all committees especially: Environment and Logistics Fourth Week before: Team meets Pray and discuss the work of all committees, especially: Social and Follow-Up Third Week before: Team meets Pray and check that all details from set-up to clean-up are in place Second Week before: Team meets Pray and do an actual rehearsal One Week before: Team meets Pray and put finishing touches on Do You Hear What I Hear? 6

7 Best-Loved Christmas Carols Ronald McClancy EWTN Religious Catalogue Store. Item # BK CMS Phone: Cost $ The Gift Package includes: 1. Illustrated Treasury of Carols with history of the song, background of the composer of the lyrics and music 2. CD of 25 Favorite Carols 3. Songbook and music of Carols on the CD Creative Communions for the Parish Oriental Trading Inexpensive Christmas gifts Pamphlets Our Sunday Visitor ( ); (Cost: $14.95 packets of 50) Top 10 Reasons to Come Back to Church (IDP1) How to Get More Out of the Mass (IDP124) Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked (P9) And more... Welcome Leaflets Liguori Publications ( ); (Cost: $6.25 packets of 25) The Catholic Church: A Visitor s Guide (80395) 7

8 Make Good Parishes Vibrant Communities Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for the Formation of the Laity Sr. Louise Alff Coordinator for Parish Evangelization Fax: assisting parishes to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ June