“Won’t you be my neighbor?” – I dare you to read that without singing the Mr. Rogers tune in your head!
 
I recently heard someone throw out the term “pew neighbor” and it got me thinking: Do you know your pew neighbors? Ninety-nine percent of us go to the same Mass time and sit in the same pew each weekend. We see the same people sitting in our vicinity and take notice if they’re absent or if someone is in their (or – heaven forbid – my!) spot. But do you know their name? Do you know anything about their family? their life? their job? Have you ever struck up a conversation with them before or after Mass? (In the gathering space, please; let’s keep it quiet inside the church.)
 
There are several pros to belonging to a parish the size of St. Pius X. We have great resources of time, talent, and treasure; and are able to have many events that smaller parishes couldn’t pull off. However, one of the cons of a large parish is that there’s no way you can get to know everyone. That’s why it’s important to reach out to those who you see week after week and to make an effort to connect with them somehow.
 
It starts with “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” and “Peace be with you.” The next step can feel a little awkward but is absolutely worth it: “Hi; I’m Sandra. I see you here every weekend but sorry I don’t know your name.” Over time this develops into, “Good morning, Bob. How was your week?” and, “Hey, is that your grandson you have with you today?” and, “How’s your garden doing? I brought that rhubarb pie recipe I told you about.” Before you know it, St. Pius feels less & less like a place you go and more & more like a family you meet for dinner. Because that’s what we’re doing. We’re gathering as the children of God, to pray and worship and feast at the Lord’s Table.