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Bearing Witness

Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman • September 19, 2024

I am fascinated by minor Gospel characters. These people — the rich young man, the adulterous woman, the teachers at the temple — share the stage with Jesus only briefly. They bear passing but powerful witness to crucial moments of his earthly ministry. They breathe the air he breathes. They hear the sound of his voice. Some of them feel the touch of his skin.

And then they go on with their lives and disappear into obscurity. They become just another one of us.

I think of the child who sat in Jesus’ lap while he said those famous words: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

What did the boy think? Did he understand the words, or did he only know that they were gently spoken? Did he only think to himself how kind was the face of this man, and how consoling and warm his embrace?

I picture this child growing up. Perhaps he married and loved his wife and children. Perhaps he was happy, or perhaps he was not. Perhaps he became wealthy or was even wealthy to begin with. Perhaps he, like so many other children of that era, had only a very short life, and returned quickly to the arms that enveloped him that day in Capernaum.

We don’t know. But we know he was there: he saw Christ, he felt him, he heard him. We sigh to think of it. How lucky. If only we could, too. Then it would be easier. Then we could be holy.

But we are all this child in Capernaum. We are all the woman at the well. We are all the centurion at the cross. Every time we kneel before the Host and hear the words “This is my Body,” we occupy the same earthly time and space as the Messiah, and he fixes upon us the same gaze he fixed upon them.

We all bear witness.

We receive him, and then we go back to our lives, our ordinary lives.

Do we carry him with us? Do we dare?

“I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness.” — Psalm 54:6

©LPi

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Surprise! Printed Church Bulletins Are More Popular Than Ever

February 12, 2025

In a world full of digital content, it’s easy to assume that printed church bulletins are becoming a thing of the past. Wrong! Recent studies show that well-designed, content-rich Catholic parish bulletins are still going home with families after every Mass. Is your parish running out of your printed bulletins every week? If not, we can help you level up. By following our tips to enhance your bulletin's design and content, you can increase its appeal and effectiveness within your congregation. Why Are Printed Church Bulletins Gaining Popularity? Professional Design: A strong, easy-to-navigate parish bulletin design is one of your very best tools to getting your parishioners to pick up the bulletin every week. Churches with professional, attractive designs are finding bulletins fly out the doors! Tangible Connection: A physical bulletin provides a sense of tradition and belonging that digital formats often can't replicate. Engaging Content: Elements like pastoral letters, beautiful Catholic covers , and parishioner spotlights can make the bulletin more engaging. Exclusive Content: Make your bulletin one of a kind with content your parishioners won’t find anywhere else! With WeCreate, our exclusive library of Catholic content, you’ll have access to Catholic comics that engage and inspire, Gospel story illustrations that bring scripture to life, saint illustrations that highlight the heroes of our faith, and so much more ! How to Enhance Your Parish’s Bulletin 1. Lean In and Invest in Professional Design: If your bulletin is cluttered with small copy and hard to read, many folks may simply overlook it. An intentional and professionally designed layout enhances readability and reflects your church's commitment to excellence. Don’t forget, parishes that print their bulletins through LPi get a free professionally designed, custom bulletin template to easily cross this task off their list! 2. Incorporate that Engaging and Exclusive Content: Consider the content you include and remember to: Highlight Key Information: Important announcements, event details, and staff/ministry contact information should be prominently displayed and easy to find. Maintain Consistency: Use consistent branding elements, such as colors and fonts, to create a cohesive look that aligns with your church's identity. We can help if you don’t know where to start with a professional brand for your parish. Solicit Feedback: Encourage congregation members to provide input on the bulletin's content and design to ensure it meets their needs and preferences. In fact, consider putting a survey in the bulletin for them to return the following week! 3. Print Your Bulletin in Vibrant Color: Give your parish a bulletin that stands out with high-quality paper and gorgeous, eye-catching color — without breaking the bank. With LPi’s free, ad-supported bulletins, your parishioners will feel proud to pick up a beautifully crafted bulletin as soon as they see it at Mass. By focusing on these areas, your church bulletin will become a cherished resource that congregants look forward to each week, fostering a stronger sense of community and engagement. To learn more about LPi’s ad-supported free printed and digital bulletin service for Catholic parishes, and see some examples of the beautiful bulletin designs we create for thousands of parishes across the country, head on over to our website . We would love to help you spread the love of Christ!