Ash Wednesday Invitations

Parishes are gearing up for Ash Wednesday and Lent 2023.  During Lent, practicing Catholics and those who have “grown up” Catholic, but discontinued regular practice, often pay more attention and are open, even if just slightly, to growing in their spiritual lives from wherever they are at this point in their lives.

They might “get ashes” and “give up something” or attend Mass more frequently, observe the fast and abstinence rules, pray more, go to confession, be more generous with their time and resources in meeting the needs of the poor.  Some will do this on their own.  It is what they always do.  Others need an invitation.

Historically, Ash Wednesday is one of those days when our attendance is greater.  This is a good thing.  On Ash Wednesday, we have a better chance of connecting with both active Catholics and those who do not regularly attend Mass.  It is important that we let everyone know that they are welcome in our parishes. We have to say that often and prove it by the way we engage them with kindness, respect and unconditional love.

A mailing, a website or social media post, or a personal invitation may be all that someone needs to come back to Church on Ash Wednesday and beyond.  For those who say (and I have been told this) “Our church is full on Ash Wednesday (also Christmas and Easter), we don’t need to invite people.“ To them I say: “Remember the parable of leaving the 99 to find the one who was lost?”  Enough said.  These days when we expect larger crowds. we can accommodate a few more people easily. It is always good to reach out.

Here is an example of a video that I created this year for a parish website and Facebook account.  On Facebook, we use the video in an ad which goes to the Facebook pages of people in the area of the parish.  If we want to reach those who are not in church, we need to go where they are. Online is the easiest way to do that inexpensively.

 Here is the description that goes with it:

Join us at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Parma Heights on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Mass with the distribution of Ashes will be celebrated at 7:30AM, 12:00 noon, and in the evening at 7:00PM. All are welcome! For your convenience our Daily Mass schedule for Lent will be 7:30AM on Monday and Wednesday; 12 Noon on Tuesday and Friday; and 7:00PM on Thursday.  Weekend Masses are: Saturday Vigil at 4:00PM and on Sunday at 8:30AM and 11:00AM. Join us! #AshWednesday #DailyMass #Lent #ParmaHeights.

You don’t have to use video.  I use it because it gets a higher priority with Facebook algorithms.  A photo/graphic is also good.  A plain text post gets the least distribution.

Think about it.  If you have not already done so, you still have time to create your own Ash Wednesday invitation for your website and social media.  Please share your invitations with us in the comments below.