Closed Doors, Open Hearts
One little change you may notice is that we are now keeping the doors from the narthex to the church closed. Please do not prop them open (except as Mass ends). We are keeping the doors closed to be good stewards of God’s creation and reduce energy use. Whether it is heating the building or cooling it with our new air conditioning, keeping the doors closed should lessen the demand on our units.
Another reason to keep the doors closed is the noise factor. Before Mass, some parishioners want to visit, some want to spend a moment in quiet prayer. We would like to accommodate both. The closed doors will make it a little quieter inside the church as others are visiting in the narthex. Parents of little ones sometimes need to take their children to the narthex during Mass. Keeping the doors closed gives these parents a little space to help deal with fussy little ones. We welcome children of all ages, knowing they get upset sometimes. The narthex can be a space to take children when needed. A big thank you to parents who make that effort to bring their children to Mass!
Please be attentive to anyone who may need help opening the door and entering the church, especially those with wheelchairs or walkers. It can be a simple but important act of hospitality to open the door for another. Opening the door for someone might just be that moment of contact when you could welcome a guest or greet a fellow parishioner. One of the things that amazes me is how this parish has maintained a strong sense of welcoming and hospitality. That does not happen on its own, but through a conscious decision on the part of many. May our hearts always be open to one another and especially to our guests and visitors.