However, Santa Rosa parish, Arima has come up with a simple formula other parishes may want to borrow.

First off their PIT assigned the project to the Youth Ministry and announced to all their congregations (main church and satellite communities) that the Parish Register is an integral part of Synod Implementation and asked for the cooperation of all in getting it done right.

As explained by PIT member Hilary Bernard, a form, simple in concept, was designed, which sought to gain just four pieces of information:

* No of persons in the household and ages;

* No of Catholics in the household; (some families have members following different religious traditions);

* Mailing address and;

* Participation in parish groups.

The project was launched on Palm Sunday. Two youths armed with the forms were assigned to each of the church’s three entrances at each of the weekend Masses. Some assistance was received from the Mass hosts.

The Easter Triduum celebrations were held in the park opposite the church so more than six volunteers were required. The solution: Two tables, one each at the main entrances to the venue, supplying each with five registration sheets and pens.

Initially many parishioners were reluctant to sign up but in spite of this, some 600 registrations were completed over two weekends.

An additional attempt will be made to secure more registrations either at the parish’s feast day celebrations next Sunday, August 23 or immediately thereafter.

Ms Bernard explained that although the project was given to the Youth Ministry, that group was only formed in February last, shortly after Synod and many of the youngsters were shy. They were therefore not assertive enough in getting the parishioners to sign up, but that was soon overcome.

At Santa Rosa there are five Masses on the weekend in the main church, one or two at Valencia and Liturgical Services with lay ministers at four or five satellite communities.

Further assistance can be had from Hilary Bernard at ]]> ]]>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]]>

Synod Corner requests that parishes forward information on the work of their Implementation Teams to: ]]> ]]>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]]>