When I was a preschool teacher my students used to believe
that I lived at the school, I think all children at one point believe this of
their teachers. In a similar way I think
that people coming from the outside believe that church people live at the
parish praying. I know that I did. I remember the first time I was with a group
of young adults and I saw one of the leaders wearing a CSLB sweater, I was
shocked that she might be attending university.
We soon became friends and I discovered that quite a few of the people
in my Jovenes Para Cristo group were
enrolled in collegiate programs. They
were girls like me who loved their Mexican culture and had a special connection
with Spanish. As I started exploring
life with them I learned of the many invigorating things that they were
involved in and was invited to the things they did socially in community. They began to show me a Catholic life very
different from the small, clueless definition I had created in my mind… When we are immersed living Catholic lives we
tend to forget that to outsiders we are still seen as people that go to church
and pray (only)- which we do, but there’s so much more to show the world about who we
are and open up a dialogue.
Theatre on the saints!
I am really lucky because I have a thriving diocese with all
sorts of groups and events for people to get involved in. Most social events serve as great hooks to
bring people, other friends who are at the peripheries and ease them into the
Good News. Saint Francis used to say,
“preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." I want to challenge you and myself to pick up
a bulletin this Sunday and look at the events your parish has to offer and
invite a friend to attend a gathering with you.
Parish picnics, tea parties, knitting clubs, hike groups are all non-threatening
ways to bring the unbaptized into the church without being preachy. When I came back to the church I seriously
didn’t realize all the things that were available at my local parish. These events helped me see a side of church
that I never imagined. A place where
people who are trying to live the Gospel are also very human and even very
fun! Quiz your parish and see how much
they have available to help you evangelize in a “light” way.
Look at the social events.
When I came back to the church I remember a friend took me to see “The
Glory of Christmas,” an awesome theatrical production of the birth of Jesus and
for this theatre junkie the experience was so life giving. Our diocese still hosts a series of
theatrical productions based on the lives on the Saints. These are great to bring a friend or two and
then afterward go out to dinner and have a discussion.
Theology on Tap.
What else is happening at your parish or diocese?
Parish movie night.
For example, my Parish during the summer has lots of events
like the parish picnic, parish bonfire, court yard theology, women’s tea
parties, etc.
Parish Picnic
At a diocesan level we have theology on tap, Young Catholic
Professional Networking Events, various sport leagues, concerts, plays, other
groups of young adults… In addition
during the summer many of the local parishes host their parish fests with yummy
food, live entertainment, games and fun for the whole family.
Parish Angels Game
All these social events are great times to bring others who
lack a wider view of what it means to be Catholic. God created us to form community and
personally what has nurtured my conversion is always a matter of relationship. These social parish happenings are great ways
to court non-baptized and those non-practicing and invite them to slowly begin
peeling layers to what constitutes as a Catholic life. I know the more I saw the more I wanted to
belong. God just placed Catholics in my
path who wooed me in His Name by helping me put my guard down through social
interaction long enough to let the Truth come in. I am not good at inviting non-believers to
events, but the times I have done so my friends always come to an understanding
that something special is happening in Catholic community, something that is
lacking in their lives. Thus, I have
come to the conclusion that a community with many social events is a parish
that has the possibility to reach the masses; so, take advantage of these
social gatherings to share your faith with others who might not yet be ready
for the deeper aspects of worship. But by slowly getting them involved they will soon open to God and His love.
You can even travel with your parish!
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