Recently, Fr. Brendan has challenged us as to what sense of community we project to others and especially newcomers and visitors.  Are we welcoming and inviting? In response, we have been developing a new ministry that focuses on reaching out and welcoming newcomers as well as building a greater sense of community for current parishioners.  Our new ‘First Impressions’ Ministry kicks-off its first initiative with the new parish directory project.  

The Parish has grown substantially since the last directory was done.  The hope is to complete the new directory early this Fall, both a paper directory and an online version of the directory.  In addition, the First Impressions Ministry will be completing a new census of parishioners and distributing new parishioner name tags.  The goal is to help match names and faces for more parishioners. 

 In the Fall First Impressions plans to launch its ‘Ambassador’ program.  This program will center on using volunteer ‘ambassadors’ at weekly masses to reach out to new and visiting families attending Holy Spirit for the first time.  In addition to providing a warm and welcoming ‘first impression’, specially trained ambassadors will assist visitors with resources and programs available through Holy Spirit Parish.

Also this Fall, First Impressions will expand our current Newcomers Program.  It will provide more follow-up assistance to new parishioners, orientation, and designated ‘buddy’ families to help assist in integrating new parishioners to parish life at Holy Spirit.

 If you are interested in assisting with this new ministry contact Jerri Kazmierczak or Mike Ferrero.