Is Your Catholic Parish Ready for Visitors This Easter? Use this Checklist to be sure!

Churches all over the world welcome visitors every week, but Easter and Christmas take the cake when it comes to the number of visitors attending Mass at any given church. They are your parishioner’s family members, friends, and significant others. They are folk who are new to the neighborhood looking for a church home. They are Catholics returning to Mass for the first time in years as they remember the joy of the Easter season or want to experience the Easter Vigil again. They may even simply be people curious about the faith and encouraged to visit during this special time. Regardless of who they are, who brought them, or where they come from, be sure that your parish is prepared to welcome them to Mass with this handy checklist of ideas. 

1. Are your Mass times updated on your website, bulletin, and anywhere else they are displayed? 
   
   
2. Is your website optimized to be mobile-friendly? If not, we can help you !
   
   
3. Are your entrances and bathrooms clearly marked?
   
   
4. Are you welcoming visitors at the ambo before Mass?
   
   
5. Do the bulletins you are passing out at Easter services have visitor information prominently featured?
   
   
6. Do you have ushers or greeters signed up for each Mass to both welcome and answer visitor questions?
   
   
7. Are there welcome cards in the pews that visitors can fill out if they want to receive more information about the parish directly to their email or via a phone call?
   
   
8. Do you have visitor information (like a handout, brochure, or visitor gifts) readily available?
   
   
9. Is your pastor planning on inviting everyone to introduce themselves to their neighbors at the beginning of Mass?
   
   
10. Are you planning on inviting those attending to share a prayer request with their neighbors before Mass?
    
    
11. Do you have a printed Easter program that explains the Mass parts for visitors to reference?
    
    
12. Is information about your faith formation programs for youth and adults displayed in a place where visitors can easily see?
    
    
13. Is information about your ministries and services easily accessible on your website?
    
    
14. Are your buildings, including your sanctuary, disability friendly ?
     
15. Do you provide tools for families with small children upon their entrance? For example, a coloring page that corresponds with the readings and some crayons, or directions to the nursery if they have an infant and need a quit space. We have resources available like this in our WeCreate library of Catholic content for you to use!
    
    
16. Do visitors have access to free masks in the event that somebody wants one or your church requires them?
    
    
17. Do you have extra bulletins ready to be passed out to accommodate the larger crowds? 
    
    
18. Do you have e ngaging photos of your parish community members prominently featured on your website and social media feeds, so people interested in visiting your parish get a glimpse of your welcoming environment?
    
    
19. Is your parking lot and property clean and clear of debris or anything that might make someone trip?
    
    
20. Do your Mass announcements include information on how to register or how to gather more information about the Parish and what your community has to offer?

 We at LPi wish your parish, and all of those who will be visiting you this year, a very Happy Easter season. May our hearts and minds be open to everyone we encounter during Mass and may our greetings of “Peace be with you” resound with genuine love for our neighbors — whoever they may be. 

Interested in more content like this to help inspire your parish staff? Check out the "Parish Life" section of our blog.

Updated on 03-13-2024