Motivating people to come for Mass..

[sr.christinaosf]

We have an assisted living-type home.  Some of our Catholics just don't come to Church: either daily or some even on Sunday.

Would anyone have any suggestions for how to motivate people to come?  We have a monthly newsletter and I was thinking of sticking something in there encourage better Mass attendance.

[Maggyie]

Free food afterward. Everyone likes free food. 

[little2add]

20 minutes ago, Maggyie said:

Free food afterward. Everyone likes free food. 

Like bread and wine?

[Maggyie]

40 minutes ago, little2add said:

Like bread and wine?

I mean calorie rich as opposed to spiritually rich

[beatitude]

Intercessory prayer might be a good way - for example, encouraging people to write down any special prayer intentions they have, and then mentioning in the bulletin that Mass on Monday will be offered for So-and-so and her intentions about such-and-such. I think people are more likely to come if they have a sense of themselves as part of a praying community.

Also make sure that Mass itself is accessible to the residents. I know some sisters who run a nursing home and I noticed that they're able to bring really unwell patients into Mass, because the Mass is kept short and it's easy for people with cognitive difficulties to focus. They put a little table beside each person with a glass of water on it, and the patients remain in their wheelchairs rather than getting into a pew. A sister sits next to the patients who are really poorly and disorientated. They love coming to Mass and find great peace there. I think all these little touches help.

[little2add]

 I always liked to go to  listen to the  sermons.  

[Gabriela]

Have they been personally invited? Some people just don't care unless someone they care about tells them that they want them there.

As a social researcher, I have to say this: The best way to know why people don't come to Mass is to ask them. Of course, in this case, it would need to be done very carefully, very casually. And maybe it would be better done by someone not affiliated with the organization, i.e., by a non-sister, non-medical staff person. People are likely to feel confronted if an organizational member asks, and even if they don't feel confronted, they may be embarrassed to reveal the real reason to someone they feel represents that Mass. So my advice would be to find an external person who can come in and visit, who has no (known) relationship with the staff, who can go around asking people. Or, as the residents' family members come to visit, ask them to ask their relative's reason for not going, and to relate that back to you.

If a "survey" of this nature is done carefully, and explained to everyone without the slightest hint of judgment and only with genuine care and love, you might discover some things that will surprise you—and help you get more people to Mass!

Also, I would suggest that you contact other Catholic nursing homes/assisted living facilities to see what ideas they have. The Congregation of the Divine Spirit in Ohio has pretty good Mass turnout. You might contact them first.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Gabriela

[enitharmon]

I agree with beatitude.

One of the things I wish more parishes would do, is to draw more attention to the liturgical year. For a lot of people that don't come too often to church, the mass seems the same thing every week and therefore can appear to be repetitive/boring--the thought of attending every day, therefore, seems particularly difficult. But by drawing more attention to the liturgical year, you can break through that perception easily: "this week we're not just inviting you to attend another mass, but we are celebrating/commemorating xyz". This is only anecdotal, but I've seen a couple of parishes that do this (in their newsletters, announcements, homilies, and even decoration) with success. You just have to make sure it isn't just a ploy to get people to come, but to have your mass reflect that.

My grandmother used to go daily to mass in the chapel of the retirement home she lived in in her final decades, but was less inclined to do so later in her life when she became less mobile, not because of the physical difficulties, but because, she told me, "the priest didn't care" and there was not enough reverence. I don't know what age your residents are, but what I noticed with other residents of my grandmother's home is that at a certain age people seemed to, unconsciously, look for the spirituality that shaped their childhood, which in their cases was pre-Vatican II. This was particularly striking with those who had dementia. I went to mass with her a few times in the chapel there, and it was remarkable to see some of the older people suffering from dementia there respond as if they attended a Latin mass, though the mass was a vernacular NO one, sometimes to great confusion of all--and to the great annoyance of the priest.

This may be largely irrelevant to your community, though I would say not trying to "spruce things up" or trying too hard to make the mass relevant to those who don't come to church often (which is often far off the mark) definitely helps in attracting people and encouraging them to come back.

 

Edited February 28, 2016 by enitharmon

[sr.christinaosf]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.  I do think we try to make the liturgy both reverent and relevant and have invited people.  I think we need to continue making the effort and the point to invite those who don't come regularly.  One invitation may not be enough.  

[Makarioi]

Many good suggestions and I agree with Gabriella.  Start with someone not affiliated or that residents feel comfortable with.   What about an aide or assistant that can approach the resident with:  'I've noticed that you've not been attending Mass, is there something that I can do to help? ..or the like.  That's not to say that they don't feel comfortable with you, perhaps they don't want to offend you or feel pressured by a sister asking. 

When and if our facility administrator or any member of administration ask us what issues / problems are, mouths are glued shut.  When someone else asks about issues, could be a co-worder or trusted worker from another department starts a conversation, flood gates open. 

Is Mass celebrated in the home or do they have to travel out of the building? If they have to travel, maybe that's why? 

[sr.christinaosf]

Mass is celebrated RIGHT HERE.  We even announce it over the PA system...

As for someone else doing it, we are a small facility, and I myself am often the aide.  I think we are quite comfortable with each other.  Thanks.

[vee]

Some thoughts along the lines of what others have suggested on making things comfortable/accessible.  Washroom facilities!  Having a good washroom close by I know is a must for many seniors.  If you have wooden pews are there at least cushions that they may use as another difficulty can be sitting for long periods on hard surfaces.  Are things audible and visible enough for those with hearing or vision loss?  Meal times could be another factor as they may wish to attend and observe the hour fast but meals may be set to close to the start of Mass or too late after?  Would a different Mas time altogether help?  For example instead of just before breakfast how about just before lunch?

[sr.christinaosf]

All these issues are already dealt with.  Bathrooms are not far away.  Mass does not conflict with meal times, and there are cushions on the pews.  Thanks.

[Norseman82]

Remind them that it's a mortal sin to miss Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation without a valid, serious reason.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Norseman82

[Spem in alium]

I've learned with my parish ministry that one invitation isn't enough. You need to remind them at least three times, and saying it rather than leaving it for them to read in a bulletin or newsletter is best. You could still put it in writing, but make sure you also say it to them -- it could even be an announcement at the end of Mass or something over the PA. And some people, especially those who do not come regularly, may need their own personal invite.

People tend to be excited and interested in new things. So yes, if you promote a social gathering after Mass, or say that Mass will be for particular intentions, you will be more likely to draw people out of curiosity. If they enjoy themselves, they're more likely to come back again. I've found it's good to schedule something like this every few weeks or once a month so that it's consistent and maintains extra interest. 

 

On 2/29/2016, 10:52:33, Norseman82 said:

Remind them that it's a mortal sin to miss Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation without a valid, serious reason.

With respect, in my experience this is less likely to draw people. You need to meet people where they're at, and either a lot of people simply don't know what a mortal sin is or what it means, or they do know but don't want to talk about sin. Plus, I've found people tend to come to things if they find them interesting or attractive...and well, going to Mass just to avoid sin isn't really cutting it. It's more likely to scare people off rather than draw them in. In my view, it's far better that something about the Mass itself or something connected with the Mass is what you promote.

Edited March 1, 2016 by Spem in alium