Meet others, get tips about the community and feel a bit more at home.
"For I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35
Welcome to St. David's
Friendship Families
We know becoming part of a new community can bring both challenges and rewards, and that one person’s welcoming act of kindness can make all the difference.
Friendship Families are here to help with the transition. The programme pairs newcomers to St. David’s with members of our parish to offer that warm welcome. As part of a Friendship Family, you will always have a home-away-from-home here in Swansea by connecting with others in the parish and experience family-like support during your adjustment to the church and local community.
For our participants, the programme is an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange, sharing, making new friends and serving as a light in the world.
Who is it for?
Young professional couples, retired people, empty nesters, individuals, families, students, international, locals, everyone is welcome!
Newcomers: Anyone new to the parish looking for a welcoming community such as internationals, students, newcomers to the city and locals new to the Catholic faith.
Participants: Anyone in the parish willing to open their hearts and minds to others, especially newcomers.
How it works:
Let us know you are interested. We will have a chat and then match you with an individual, couple or family from the parish.
1. Meet. Get introduced to your ‘Friendship Family’ after Mass at the tea & coffee gathering.
2. Get to know each other. Exchange stories, make plans to share a meal, or go to an event together. Meet up as much or as little as you like, that's up to you.
3. Meet others. The tea & coffee gathering after the 11:00 Mass is a great place to meet up regularly with your Friendship Family and get introduced to others. Occasionally, we will also have a shared table where all Friendship Families are invited to come together to share a meal and get to know one another.
How to get involved:
If you are a newcomer to the parish or interested in joining the programme as a parish member, please contact Fr. Robert or Canon Paul:- +44 (0)1792 653343
or fill in the form below and then press the send button.
F.A.Q.
Q: Who can volunteer as a Friendship Family?
A: Anyone in the parish willing to open their hearts and minds to others. Young professional couples, retired people, individuals, families, empty nesters, everyone is welcome.
Q: How often do we meet?
A: That is entirely up to you. Some ‘Friendship Families’ might like to meet every Sunday at Mass, others may share a meal together once a month or o so, yet others may become fast friends and meet up frequently. There is no rule; it is up to you to decide.
Q: What is required?
A: There are no hard and fast requirements. The intention of the programme is to offer a connection and let the members of the Friendship Family connection decide what is right for them.
As a parishioner, think about what it is like to move to a new place. You might invite someone over for a meal, offer to be a resource to help find the best shop to buy their favourite product, share local knowledge, celebrate a holiday together, offer a ride or extend an invitation to an event. As a newcomer, you can do the same. And, don’t be afraid to ask for help or tips, that’s what your Friendship Family is there for.
Q: How will Friendship Families be matched?
A: Once you let us know you would like to participate, we will have a short chat about why you are interested in joining a Friendship Family and then try to match you with someone with similar interests.
Q: What happens if the Friendship Family isn’t a good match?
A: Again, participation is entirely up to you. If it isn’t a good match, you don’t need to meet up at all or can just connect more formally at Mass. If this happens and you still haven’t met many others in the parish, feel free to let us know and we will introduce you to others and help make a new connection. Friendship Families should be a blessing to everyone involved so if it doesn’t work out, no hard feelings.