house blessing

[Anonymous]

We're moving into a new house and are thinking we might want to have a priest come over and bless the new house (we're Catholic).

Has anyone done this? If so, how much of a donation did you make to the church and did you have the priest stay for dinner? It seems odd to sit with a complete stranger for a dinner in your house but maybe people do this all the time.

[Anonymous]

We're Episcopalian and planning to do this soon, but will combine it with a house-warming party so our priest and family can stay and enjoy the party with us and our friends (many from the parish too). We'll probably do $150 in a donation to the priest's discretionary fund for this - it's to the church, but he can direct it, usually to parishioners or other individuals for emergency assistance. I went to a house blessing a few years ago and it was such a lovely little liturgy and wonderful way to start a new chapter of your life in a new place. Congratulations on your new home!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're Episcopalian and planning to do this soon, but will combine it with a house-warming party so our priest and family can stay and enjoy the party with us and our friends (many from the parish too). We'll probably do $150 in a donation to the priest's discretionary fund for this - it's to the church, but he can direct it, usually to parishioners or other individuals for emergency assistance. I went to a house blessing a few years ago and it was such a lovely little liturgy and wonderful way to start a new chapter of your life in a new place. Congratulations on your new home!

OP here. That does sound lovely! I should hasten to add that we're moving cross-country to a town where we know literally nobody and family will be hundreds of miles away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Episcopalian and planning to do this soon, but will combine it with a house-warming party so our priest and family can stay and enjoy the party with us and our friends (many from the parish too). We'll probably do $150 in a donation to the priest's discretionary fund for this - it's to the church, but he can direct it, usually to parishioners or other individuals for emergency assistance. I went to a house blessing a few years ago and it was such a lovely little liturgy and wonderful way to start a new chapter of your life in a new place. Congratulations on your new home!

OP here. That does sound lovely! I should hasten to add that we're moving cross-country to a town where we know literally nobody and family will be hundreds of miles away.

PP here - in that case, I might invite a few neighbors over for coffee/tea and set the house blessing for just before. Or wait a month or two until you've met a handful of folks and make a small, casual party out of it. A light dinner with the priest would be very nice too and no priest I know would be unhappy to be invited in to share a meal with a parishioner. Best of luck in the move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Episcopalian and planning to do this soon, but will combine it with a house-warming party so our priest and family can stay and enjoy the party with us and our friends (many from the parish too). We'll probably do $150 in a donation to the priest's discretionary fund for this - it's to the church, but he can direct it, usually to parishioners or other individuals for emergency assistance. I went to a house blessing a few years ago and it was such a lovely little liturgy and wonderful way to start a new chapter of your life in a new place. Congratulations on your new home!

OP here. That does sound lovely! I should hasten to add that we're moving cross-country to a town where we know literally nobody and family will be hundreds of miles away.

PP here - in that case, I might invite a few neighbors over for coffee/tea and set the house blessing for just before. Or wait a month or two until you've met a handful of folks and make a small, casual party out of it. A light dinner with the priest would be very nice too and no priest I know would be unhappy to be invited in to share a meal with a parishioner. Best of luck in the move.

Thanks! You sound like a very nice person!

[Anonymous]

You made my day!