“The Gospel is most effectively shared in person-to-person encounters.” — Guidepost 6 of the Unleash the Gospel pastoral letter

During this time of social distancing, it’s very important for pastors and parish staff or leadership teams to reach out to the parish community. One of the best ways to do that is to call people in their community to check on them during this time of social distancing.

Here is a script for what you might say (pastors and staff can use this script, or you can give it to parishioners to use as well):

1. “Happy Easter! How are you? How are your family and loved ones?
2. “Is there anything the parish can do for you?”
3. “What has worked for you getting through this time?”
   1. Tips:
      1. Offer the parishioner a chance to share “best practices” such as taking walks, having a schedule, learning a new hobby, etc.
      2. This gives the parishioner a chance to feel part of the community and a way to offer back.
4. “Do you have any prayer intentions?
   1. What a parish can do with prayer requests:
      1. Pass them to an intercessory prayer team
      2. Include these intentions in the Sunday or weekday Mass intentions
      3. Consider reading a few before/during the Prayers of the Faithful of the Sunday live stream Mass
      4. Have staff person responsible for collection/collating intentions
5. “Do you know what the parish is offering during this time?”
   1. Be sure to mention...
      1. Live stream Masses (spiritual communion prayer)
      2. Website, email, social media, etc.
      3. AOD/UTG materials
      4. Times when the church is open, confessions, social services, etc.
6. If you are asked “How can I help the parish?”, you can share with them, “If you are able to continue supporting our parish during these times, this would be a great help to us. You can do so by [see below]”
   1. Online giving or mailing in an offering
   2. Pray for parishioners in need
   3. Call and check on your neighbors and other parishioners