Reception for Priest on Special Days

A parish-wide reception can be simple or quite complex depending on the budget and desires of the priest and ministry. Either way, creating the opportunity for the priests to receive so much love from family and parishioners alike will make this labor of love worth all the effort. If the Vocation Ministry is in charge of all priestly receptions, including welcome, farewell, ordination anniversary, Priesthood Sunday and the like, the ministry may want to ask for help from other groups. Actually, this is preferred, as it gives many more parishioners the opportunity to take part in such an important event. These events are as much about fellowship within the community as they are about the actual anniversary, so reach out for and graciously welcome all help.

Ordination Reception

Is your parish priest celebrating his 10th, 20th, 25th, or 50th Ordination Anniversary?!?!? This is the time to celebrate! Observe this day as big as your priest, budget, and ministry constraints will allow! Make sure that as many people as possible know about this event and encourage all to participate. These events are as much about fellowship within the community as they are about the actual anniversary, so reach out for and graciously welcome all help. The gathering does not have to take place on the actual date of the anniversary, so if you need a little more time to organize, take it! If this is an in-between year (e.g. 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th), then normally gathering spiritual bouquets and a few gifts for him may be perfect. You could have donuts and coffee simple reception during these years, too. Lastly, don’t forget the consecrated sisters and brothers who are at your parish. Find out when they professed vows to know when to celebrate their “yes,” as well.