The Berala Catholic Parish in Sydney has been boosting both its attendance and the baubles on its Christmas tree.
Parish administrator Father Josh Miechels invited his members to decorate the tree, but they only got a bauble if they invited someone to church who doesn’t normally attend.
They were encouraged to offer their guest(s) a Christmas flyer with the details of Masses, carols and other events.
“The point is to encourage an invitational culture in our parish in a simple way and people have responded enthusiastically,” Father Miechels told the Catholic Weekly.
“There were 100 baubles placed in boxes under the tree and within the space of a week, half of them have already been hung,” he rejoiced.
“It gives you such a good feeling to see it, as it makes those invitations very concrete rather than abstract.”
“Each decoration represents a non-parishioner who has been invited to our parish this Christmas.”
“It’s like you can literally see the fruit of this initiative on the tree itself, and that is motivating people to invite even more.”
“Just like the shepherds, the baby Jesus asks us to bring people to adore Him,” he wrote in his bulletin message.
“Inviting people to participate in parish stuff is a normal part of being Christian.”
“Placing one bauble on the Christmas tree will be a symbol of our giving the baby Jesus to others.”
