Overwhelming Welcome

Karen and I had the pleasure of going to a Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy at St. Stephen Protomartyr in Calgary today.  I've been to Byzantine Rite liturgies in the past, but it was Karen's first time, so I was a bit nervous for the experience (I had very high hope she'd love it as much as I do!).  We met our friend Sharon and her sons in the parking lot.

By the time we made it to the pew we had several new friends!

Sharon went to chat with the Fr. Bo, who was celebrating the liturgy.  He wanted to meet us and so we met him in the offices.  We couldn't help but smile at how joyful and sincerely happy to see us he was.  The greeters came over to us and started a conversation, as they recognized we were outsiders in the community.  On the way to our seats, right at the front, others greeted us.

The beauty of the building itself was also very welcoming.  It was an amazing blend of the simple and inviting, warm wood tones and unobtrusive stained glass, and the beautiful, with about 6 large, and awe inspiring icons in symmetry across the sanctuary.

Children were super welcome.  Fr. Bo made it absolutely known in every action, the way he talked, and the homily he gave that the kids were fully part of the community, and they returned the welcome with sincere and bold interaction with him when he'd ask questions during his homily.

After the Divine Liturgy we were waiting around for a little bit to meet someone, and we ended up meeting a lot of folks we weren't looking for.  A highlight was when a young parishioner made eye contact from across the room as though she recognized us (she did, but as visitors).  When she came over to our likely confused glances she was visibly happy to make our acquaintance.  We stayed for coffee and met some more parishioners (if you know me, you know I'm not good at that sort of thing... I felt totally comfortable there).

One of the biggest things I noticed is that no one ever treated us as guests or visitors, so much as new members of the family.  In fact when introduced by one of the greeters to other folks (the greeter knew we were Roman Catholic, from out of town, and really just on a field trip to a different rite of the Divine Liturgy) he simply said that we were new there.  Not just in town for the day, not visiting, just new.  We were already as fully welcome as everyone who call the parish their home.

In the end there's not a lot of point to this post except to say that I wish everyone of faith, myself included, could be that welcoming to the stranger, and have arms that open to the other.  I'm certainly not the most welcoming person far too much of the time, and I'm definitely shy, not bold, in the way I approach people.  Sometimes we as a Church get caught up in being right, correct, proper, moral, etc., and we forget that none of that matters if we don't have welcoming relationships.  If I'm an unpleasant, judgmental, or rudely blunt in the name of being right, then how can I show someone that my faith is a deep source of joy, or that all are welcome, or that God is Love.  Why would they listen to me?  Even if they did, would they believe my faith is about love and joy when my face, my words, and my actions aren't a reflection of those things?  God forgive us all for the times we deny someone their rightful place at the table, and inspire us all to be joyful and welcoming.