Today’s tip: Use Mass announcements to preach discipleship, practical steps and life change
I am a (University of Washington) Husky. The UW has a Newman Center just off campus in the heart of Greek Row. At this Newman Center, there was always a “production” type Mass announcement that got people either laughing or clapping, but got everyone remembering.
See, the “production” was the “language” and it broke the ice many times. However, it was really the practical points that told me what I needed to do that stuck. The tip this week comes straight from “Tools for Rebuilding,” tip No. 33, “Preach the Announcements.”
It says that when making announcements you should, (1) announce good habits for people to practice, (2) give practical steps to form these habits (like announcing Confession times when speaking on sin/repentance), and (3) speak of what life will look like when these habits are formed!
In the Acts of the Apostles, the preaching of the apostles was all about announcing the Good News of the kingdom of God. That announcement led to incredible life change, and those changed lives formed the church. That can happen at your parish, too.
Makana Aiona is the diocesan coordinator for Young Adult Ministry.