This is a simple, cost-effective and efficient outreach to those identified by attending parishioners. At the conclusion of Mass one weekend, make an announcement asking your parishioners to invite their fallen-away brothers and sisters back to the Church. Provide index cards and pencils/pens at the end of each pew and instruct each parishioner to write down the name and phone number of someone they know who used to attend your parish but has stopped attending (for whatever reason). You may also choose to invite parishioners to pray on this and submit additional names to an email address provided in the bulletin. NOTE: Assure your parishioners that submissions are anonymous, i.e., the person being called will not know who put their name in.
Once all names and phone numbers have been collected, call those persons and personally invite them back to the Church. You should include the following points of conversation:
· Introduction: Hi, my name is [name] and I am calling from [parish]. This is not a fundraising call and we
are not asking you to sign up for anything. We have noticed that you have not been at Mass recently and
want to personally welcome you back.
· Discuss why they left your parish – Are they attending church elsewhere? Have they left your parish or the
faith completely? Did they have a bad experience with your parish (if so, APOLOGIZE. If particularly
egregious, have a priest call to apologize on behalf of the parish).
· Ask what sorts of activities or changes might make them want to come back?
· End by giving a list of the mass times and asking if you can mail them a bulletin/welcome pamphlet.
· Is there any need or concern in particular they would like Father (name) or the parish to keep in prayer?
·Whether they intend to come back or not, close with a warm invitation and good wishes.
Who: Any existing committee or an ad hoc committee can tackle this plan.
Cost: Minimal monetary cost, moderate time commitment.
Target Audience: Parishioners who attended mass regularly in the past and have been identified by current parishioners as currently non-attending.
Resource: For another model, see this phone outreach guide from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Home Visitation Program
The parish home visitation ministry is a welcoming ministry, a way of “opening the doors to Christ.” This is accomplished one home visit at a time by parish participants who are solid in their faith, who are good listeners and who are passionate about sharing their love for Jesus and His Church.
Cost: Negligible
Target: Members of the parish who attend infrequently; those who have left the parish; new
parishioners; individuals and families identified by parish staff and members as open to a visit
Resources: The Diocese of Peoria’s Office of Evangelization has a superb home visitation program that includes sample brochures, a scripted example of a visitation, a list of resources and general guidelines. The Legion of Mary also offers a program of home visitation as well.
Notes: A parish home visitation program can be done at any time by the visitation team, planned around parish activities like a parish mission, homecoming, RCIA kickoff, parish festival or picnic, etc.