Texts to welcome visitors
If the presider becomes aware of visitors attending Mass, he might consider welcoming them in their own language. Greetings are given in the more popular European languages, together with a phoenetic version for presiders not fluent in the languages. The suggested script reads: ‘Dear friends who are holidaying with us, we are delighted to welcome you among us.’
(As Gaeilge: Céad mile fáilte romhaibh inár meacsc: tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh taitneamh as bhur leathanta saoire! In the Irish language, phonetically: ‘Kade mee-leh fall-cha row-ive in-awer mask: taw sue-ill a-gum guh min-hig shive ta-nive os vure lay-hin-te see-reh’)
DUTCH
‘Beste vrienden, die bij ons uw verlof komt doorbrengen, wij zijn blij u hier te begroeten
(Phonetically) ‘Best-eh freend-en, dee by uns oo fer-lof come-teh door-breng-en, vigh zine bligh oo here tuh buh-ghroot-in.’
FRENCH
Chers amis qui venez passer vos vacances chez nous, nous sommes heureux de vous acceuillir parmi nous.
(Phonetically) ‘Shares am-ee key venay passay vo va-kawnce shay noo, noo soms uru de vooz a-cow-year parmee noo.’
GERMAN
‘Liebe Freunde, Sie kamen um Ihre Ferien hier zu verbringen. Wir freuen uns, Sie bei uns aufzunehmen.’
(Phonetically) ‘Leeba froy-unda, zee cam-en um eere fair-ee-en here tsoo ver-bring-en. Veer froy-en unts, zee by unts owf-zoo-name-in.’
ITALIAN
‘Cari amici, che venite a passare le vostre vacanza qui da noi, siamo felici di accogliervi nella nostra communità.’
(Phonetically) ‘Caree amee-chee, kay vay-nee-tay ah pass-ah-ray lay voss-tray vah-can-za kwee da noy, see-amo fay-lee-chay day akol-ee-err-vee nellah noss-trah com-oo-nee-tah.
SPANISH
‘Quiero dar una bienvenida muy especial a los visitantes españoles. Deseo que tengan unas vaccaciones felices entre nosotros.
(Phonetically) ‘Ki-er-oh dar oona be-en-ven-eeda mo-ee espes-ee-al a lows visi-tant-eys e-span-yole-es. Des-ay-o kay ten-gan oon-as vack-ass-ee-owen-es fe-lee-th-es en-tray nose-ot-rose.’
• Perhaps this page might be printed out and kept in the church, for use when circumstances suggest?