Maybe you heard the voices of young people in Lisbon chanting “todos, todos, todos” to Pope Francis’ cry that all should be welcome in Christ’s Church. Certainly, you’ve joined in singing the refrain “All are welcome in this place,” and I’d like to think that at least some of us remember the call that this Diocese made over 30 years to become “The Welcoming Church.”

Welcoming people takes any number of forms. When the church crowds, we move over so someone else can have a seat. When a visitor asks the way to the restroom we point out the way. At the sign of peace, we turn from our family and greet the stranger.

This month St. Boniface and St. Lawrence Parishes take a step towards broadening that welcome. We’ve signed on to the Breastfeeding Welcome Here initiative. Recently the City of Williamsport has made that proclamation. What’s this mean to us? To our parishes?

We want to welcome young families. We want Church to be a place where children are always part of the picture. I’ve often said that I don’t mind when a child is crying during Mass. We’re Catholic, we’re pro-life, and crying children is what life sounds like. Now we want to clearly extend that welcome to the breastfeeding individuals and families among us.

We don’t want to send a mother off to a lavatory to feed. Nor do we want her to feel she doesn’t belong here because the Mass or church activities overlap with feedings. Remember, we’ve sung it: All are welcome in this place.

What does that welcome look like? If you’re comfortable feeding in your pew, do it. If you want to step out to a more private place we give you some options: Our confessional rooms in both churches are open and offer comfortable seating. St. Boniface also gives the option to go to the lounge—where you can continue to hear the Liturgy while you care for a child.

Be part of these welcoming churches. Let young families—visitors and members—find a home here.