Come to the Manger

Come, come, come to the manger,
Children, come to the children's King;
Sing, sing, chorus of angels,
Stars of morning, over Bethlehem sing.

     This traditional Christmas refrain was recorded by Perry Como on his Christmas album "Seasons Greetings From Perry Como."  (I have to hear Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song," "The Little Drummer Boy" by The Harry Simeone Chorale, and Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" (and whistling along with the whistle descant) every Christmas season - a song by Mr. Como just makes it all that more nostalgic.)

     As for marketing your Catholic school, this song title is the answer to the question, "How can I get more people to know about our school?"

     You've put an advertisement in the local Catholic newspaper; you have a column every week in the parish bulletin; you have yard signs that say "Apply Now" for the coming school year.  But you need to reach MORE people.  If only there was a way to get to more people - all at once - all in one place - that would have at least a bit of interest about their faith, and the importance of a faith-based education.  Maybe they went to a Catholic school when they were young, and just haven't been invited to come see your school.  If only there was a way...

     There is!!  While people "Come to the Manger" to celebrate Mass on Christmas Day, then come to the Church and have lots of information ready to give!

     Here's the typical response to that suggestion -

     "You've lost it!  I spend Christmas with my family!  That's the one time of the year that I don't even want to think about what's going on at the school.  And with all that's going on the world, it's the only time I have to reflect on the blessings I've been given."

     If you're nodding your head in agreement, please read that sentence again, and note the number of "I"s in that sentence.

     Leadership isn't a job.  A job is what those factory-workers in the auto industry are trying to protect.  A job is something you do for 8 hours (and maybe some overtime) and then go home to family, chores, errands and preparations for the next day.

     Just as stewardship and development is not "all about treasure," leadership isn't either.  It's all three - including time and talent.  Together.  Just like the God that we worship and celebrate.

     Christmas Masses are packed!  They have lots of children there, which means they have lots of young parents there.  You couldn't ask - no - PAY - for a better potential audience.

     And you don't have to do it yourself.  This is where your team comes in - since you probably need more than one contact point to handle the crowd as they stream out from church.  I'm sure there are more than one usher handing out bulletins at the end of Mass.  And your team can include dedicated positive parents.  Maybe split the schedule.  If your team includes a principal, advancement director and a business manager, then maybe a parent

     And you don't have to be there for all of Mass - just from the "Lamb of God" until all have left.

     Indeed - it's a change.  It's a change in strategy, which means a change in practice, which means a change in planning, and change is uncomfortable and difficult.  But change is necessary for growth.  As we prepare for the birth of our Savior, we might find we have to change some things in our personal lives to prepare our hearts.  If we find we also need to change some things in the roles in which God has placed us at this point in history to carry out His will, then we must endure those difficulties and face them with courage.  Joseph, Mary and Jesus did - why should we expect things to be different for us?

© Michael V. Ziemski, SchoolAdvancement, 2008 (Original Publication Date: 20081215)