Date Here, 2004

Dear Pastor,

You very likely find yourself explaining some elements of Church tradition over and over.

And it’s likely that some of those Church traditions spark emotional reactions as parishioners plan high-tension events such as weddings and funerals.

That’s where Our Sunday Visitor’s newest pamphlets come in. Catholic Etiquette: Mass, Catholic Etiquette: Weddings, and Catholic Etiquette: Funerals provide clear, concise explanations of the Church’s guidelines and practices, their spiritual origins, and why we adhere to them.

Practical, straightforward, and friendly, the etiquette pamphlets reach the parishioners in your pews who have a hazy understanding of the whys and need to know the hows. The pamphlets are also easy to share with parishioners’ non-Catholic relatives who might participate in a First Communion Mass, wedding Mass, or funeral service. Based on the popular book Catholic Etiquette: What You Need to Know About Catholic Rites and Wrongs, by convert Kay Lynn Isca, these pamphlets tackle all the sticky subjects that can lead to misunderstandings, embarrassment, or hurt.

There are many ways to put OSV’s etiquette pamphlets to use in your parish:

  • Give the wedding pamphlet to couples in your marriage preparation classes, as well as those entering RCIA to be married in the Church.
  • Provide extras for those couples who wish to send copies to their relatives in advance.
  • Your organist, liturgist, cantor – and all who help couples plan their weddings – will benefit from copies of the wedding pamphlet. Its explanations can help resolve common questions about music selection and additions to the celebration.
  • Pass out copies of the funeral pamphlet to those parishioners who come in to preplan services in your church.
  • Keep the funeral pamphlet on hand for family members when visiting the terminally ill, so they can make decisions before the matter is urgent.
  • Give the funeral pamphlets to all who interact with the sick in your parish – those who take the Eucharist to the homebound, those who deliver meals or transport the elderly – so they can field questions confidently.
  • Place copies of the Mass etiquette pamphlet at every entrance to help welcome those new to your church. The more comfortable and confident they feel, the more likely they are to return.
  • Use the Mass pamphlet in religious education – it’s especially helpful for catechists teaching sacramental preparation and for RCIA instructors.
  • Catechumens and candidates will welcome a portable reference and reminder on parts of the Mass.
  • Lifelong Catholics will find the Mass pamphlet useful not only for themselves, but for those whom they invite or encourage to attend Mass with them – a non-Catholic spouse, friend, or child.

Free samples of Catholic Etiquette: Mass, Catholic Etiquette: Weddings, and Catholic Etiquette: Funerals are enclosed; order bundles of fifty for just $12.95 each. They’re the simple answers to the many questions your parishioners – and potential parishioners – ask about ceremonies and celebrations in the Catholic Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Gregory R. Erlandson

Publisher                

Our Sunday Visitor pamphlets tackle many faith topics. See the enclosed Parish Partnership Program brochure or www.osv.com for products proffering a wealth of Church teachings.

Envelope teaser: The nuts and bolts of Catholic etiquette