“Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (1 Peter 4:9-10).
If you are in, or even passing through, Schuylkill Haven, St. Ambrose Catholic Church is eager to welcome you. In fact, parishioners have already prepared a little something for you.
In today’s hubbub, hospitality can seem elusive. And while we can get same-day shipping for essentials online, many are bereft, wondering where they can find community, a place they can call home.
The parishioners of St. Ambrose recognized this; so, starting this past Lent, they took it upon themselves to be true stewards of hospitality.
“I’m always in the back of church,” said Roseanne Ladue, Adult Faith Formation Coordinator. “I get to talk to a lot of people … I noticed that the people who don’t belong to St. Ambrose and have questions, well, we have nothing to give them.”
And out of this observation, the idea blossomed: welcome bags. Why not provide a tangible gift to the traveling family, the person who is new to the area, or those interested in the Catholic Faith?
And these bags overflow with delightful surprises, ranging from a pamphlet on the parish to books and rosaries, to a magnet listing Mass times – even a St. Ambrose-inspired recipe found its way into the goodie bag (along with many other thoughtful items).
“Everyone wants to be known and recognized,” said Mary Ellen Johns, Director of Religious Education. And that’s exactly what these welcome bags communicate, a sense of belonging – of home. They are the hands-on way of saying, “We are so delighted to receive you, that we went ahead and prepared something for you.”
True hospitality is embedded into charity, and these welcome bags are no exception. They were made a reality by the generosity and intentionality of the St. Ambrose family.
As I chatted with Roseanne and Mary Ellen, I couldn’t help but notice the joy that emanated from them as they happily shared stories about the willingness and generosity of the parishioners who helped bring these bags into being.
The Rosary Guild crafted rosaries. One gentleman from the St. Ambrose Friends in Faith built two stunning kiosks for greeters to use to distribute the bags. One woman donated supplies for the kiosks in honor of her parents. Another woman donated crucifixes, and another crafted adorable bookmarks for little ones. The list of thoughtfulness is inspiring.
“Oh, the children get so excited when they open up the welcome bags,” said Roseanne. In fact, everyone seems delighted to receive one: “You’d think you’d handed them a million bucks.”
The St. Ambrose website reads, “Welcome to St. Ambrose Church: A Haven in the Storm.”
Isn’t that what we all crave? That place of peace, comfort, and refuge amid a chaotic world. Christ is our “Haven,” our refuge, and to live that out, we must live in His love, welcoming our brothers and sisters. Welcome bags are a small reminder that our churches are our home, our place to be nourished before we go back to labor in the vineyard.
As Monsignor Edward Zemanik, Pastor, said, “Totally amazing … I know for me, it is amazing what happens when you let the Holy Spirit run the whole thing.”
Article and Photo by Ann Burns.
