Anybody on your parish staff have a digital camera? Anyone in the parish willing to donate one? That’s all you need to get started on a moving and effective stewardship appeal for next fall or a warm and truly unique way to welcome newcomers or introduce RCIA’s neophytes to the mission and ministries of your parish.
Start right now and take pictures of everything – of the school Valentine’s Day parties and the renewal of marriage vows on World Marriage Sunday. Of Eucharistic ministers helping with the ashes on Ash Wednesday and of the faith-filled adorers on First Friday. Of the school open house and the teacher appreciation luncheon, the women’s Bible study and the Youth Ministry lock-in. Of the choir practicing for Easter and the blessing of the palms and the lighting of the new fire. Of the liturgy committee struggling for just the right words for the prayer of the faithful and the art and environment ministers changing the banners and the children being led out for Children’s Liturgy of the Word and the catechumens at the Rite of Election. And the parish picnic and Octoberfest and the canned goods brought to the altar on Thanksgiving and the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath…
Make it routine that someone has that camera at every parish event for the next year and then download those pictures into a file on one of the parish computers. You’ll be amazed at all the ways those pictures can be used! Your bulletin company may print some or all of your bulletin in color, if you ask, and a picture really is worth 1,000 words! The ad for your local paper looks positively professional when you add just the right photo, and a PowerPoint presentation or collage using those “snapshots” of parish life can become a very appealing “time and talent” appeal or introduction to the parish at the Newcomers’ Brunch. And don’t forget to print and archive a set… Twenty-five years from now – or when the pastor retires or when you begin a building campaign – someone will thank you for being such a good steward of those parish memories!
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