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Hospitality Ministry Co-Chair Giselle Fribourg’s daughter enjoys helping set up and serve the refreshments on Hospitality Sundays.
t is a common complaint of our times that people always seem to be in a hurry. More often than not, we have too many places to be and too many things to do, with too little time to do it all. We can become so focused on getting from Point A to Point B that we fail to catch our breath, let alone catch up with a friend or meet someone new. Yet, our faith calls us to live differently — reaching out to others, making connections, and taking the time to act as Christ to one another. Luckily, we have a ministry that provides us the perfect opportunity to slow down and connect with others in our faith community. Once a month, our Hospitality Ministry brings parishioners together in the Parish Center after Mass to enjoy some refreshments and the chance to get to know one another. Participants in this ministry also help with our Newcomer’s Luncheons, the soup dinner on Ash Wednesday, and other parish meals. Betsi Beardon enjoys co-chairing this ministry with Giselle Fribourg, coordinating around 45 parishioners who actively help with Hospitality Sundays or the luncheons. “It’s just a good, warm, caring group of people who love to socialize with the parish,” Betsi says. “Everyone is very friendly.” Betsi first started helping with Hospitality Sundays 10 years ago. At the time, she had a son in middle school who enjoyed serving with her. Participating in our Hospitality Ministry is a fun and simple way for any busy parishioner — or even entire families — to get more involved with parish life. “It’s an easy group to join,” Betsi says. “We send everything out over email and we don’t have meetings. Some people help every month, and some may make a salad or a dessert for our Newcomer’s Luncheon once or twice a year. Children can help at home with baking or can help serve. Teens can get service hours for their volunteer work. We have a teenager in the group now that we’ve seen grow up continued on page 5
