PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

St. Mary's Parish

March 23 - 24, 2026

Tips for a Succesful Event

We know this can be a challenging task from our years of expeience working in parishes, but you've invested in this mission and this mission is for everyone - from 12 yrs and up - so why leave some people out from the opportunity to refresh their faith? Simply request anyone who typically meets during your mission dates/times to instead, use that time to attend the mission and join together as a parish family for this exciting experience to unify your community.

A personal invitation goes a long way! Most especially when it comes from the Pastor to Ministry leaders, liturgical ministers, and of course, all staff members. It is a powerful witness to those who attend your mission to see the leaders in your parish making it a priority. IDEAS: You could choose to have your leaders split up a list of parishioners who you haven’t seen at church in a while and reach out with a phone call, email, or text to personally invite them to your mission. Early and often leading up to your mission dates, encourage your congregation - everyone knows at least ONE person they would love to have hear this message of faith and hope, so ask them to invite someone they have been praying for to come back to church or a friend they see often who maybe hasn’t been to church in a while.

Using the customized promotional materials we've provided is a great way to get the word out about your mission, all you need to do is start getting putting it out there as early as possible. From the invitation at the pulpit, ads in the bulletin/Enews, the posters on the doors/around the parish, to using the video on your website & social media page - BUT DON’T STOP THERE. Print the secular flyer or two, of your choice and have leaders & parishioners alike spread them far and wide: Put them up in popular community areas like local coffee shops and libraries (anywhere that has a community bulletin board), parishioner owned businesses, in your local news paper/magazine or even the Diocese Events section on the Diocese website or magazine.

Be sure to look at our Event Checklist provided to you and incorporate as many special touches as possible to your mission for a welcoming and unified environment: Youth Group members could offer childcare (if no one needs it then they stay and enjoy the message), ask Parish Council to greet people and welcome them each night, we've seen Hospitality with refreshments after each night is a fantastic way to get people to stay and talk about the message together (we offer reflection questions for each night to have at the tables), your Music Ministry might offer a few prayerful songs as prelude while people are being seated and then stay to enjoy the mission message too.