Welcoming / New Parishioners

We average about 12 to 15 new families registering in the parish each month.  These newly registered families get a welcoming phone call from a volunteer over the next few weeks.

At every mass we make an announcement that Peter (staff member) is available to meet with folks who have just begun to attend St. John's.  This is a great opportunity to find out about the parish, our ministries, our volunteer programs, and so much more!  Peter is at either the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center or Wilde Lake Interfaith Center each Sunday at 2:00.  We switch centers each month - even numbered months at Oakland Mills, odd numbered months at Wilde Lake.

 

Welcome Weekends
 Welcome Weekends are held on the weekend with the first Sunday of the month in it.  Our goal is to help us all remember and act on our desire to be a welcoming community where everyone feels welcomed and everyone is a welcomer.

The name tags available in the lobby can help. Please participate in this effort:

• Make a name tag for yourself and wear it.
• Before Mass, at the time of greeting, and at the sign of peace, use others' name tags to greet them by name.
• After Mass, plan to linger a while, share some refreshments in the lobby, and get to know another parishioner you don't already know. There is also a Welcome Table in the lobby on these weekends where you can pick up information about Catholic life and practice or meet someone who can help you register for the parish.

Teams for each mass set up a table with a welcome packet and other literature on it.  There is a special “Welcome” banner.  Munchkins and some other small refreshments are served.  This is set up to occur at all masses and at both interfaith centers.

            Our 2010 / 2011 Welcome Weekend Schedule:

            July 3 and 4, 2010

            July 31, August 1, 2010

            September 4 and 5, 2010 (Labor Day weekend)

            October 2 and 3, 2010

            November 6 and 7, 2010

            No WW in December – congestion in the lobbies of the centers

            No WW in January (New Year’s Day and weekend)

            February 5 and 6, 2011

            March 5 and 6, 2011

            April 2 and 3, 2011

            May 7 and 8, 2011

            June 4 and 5, 2011