Fr. John Girotti speaks in this article about a woman who helped with over half of a parish’s debt after her death, despite no-one in the parish knowing who she is. The only information they knew was that she stood in the entrance of the Church, and would never participate in Mass; Girotti talks about his curiosity and the need to realise that there’s more to Mass than those sitting in the pews.
This post is interesting, as it talks about something you will only notice if you are paying attention. People are often seen standing at the entrance of a church, whether it’s because of children, social anxiety, or just wanting to stand; it’s a mystery to most.
The challenge to us all is to consider their needs and take them into account when we think about the ‘parish’ and who that encompasses.