When it came time for Therese’s grandmother, Jeannia, to enter a nursing home, her family couldn’t find a facility with a Sunday Mass, like she wanted. At first, Jeannia was extremely disappointed. But as she settled in, she established a daily routine that revolved around a televised Mass and a noontime Rosary. She graciously invited anyone who missed their parish or needed consolation. Because of her enthusiasm, Grandma’s tiny room was always full.
She instinctively knew that a personal invitation is the keystone in bringing people to Jesus and his body, the Church. And our own deliberate invitations to “come and see,” will become even stronger when we offer to accompany a person to a gathering. In this way, we mirror God’s loving call to every person. And finally, invitations create a shared spiritual destination, even if they offer only a tiny step forward.
ATTENTION: Monthly, ZOOM Course: Keys to Reaching Inactive Catholics. Saturday mornings February to September
Many Catholics stopped coming to Mass on Sunday during the pandemic. Along with inviting these individuals to return, we can also reach out to the 80-85% sacramentalized Catholics who were not pre-pandemic churchgoers. Testing the waters first might help though. Try wondering aloud with relatives, friends, and acquaintances about what brought despair or hope during the pandemic. Respect all responses.
A second, deeper question might be, “Where do you think God has been in all of this?” or “Did you try any of the televised Masses?” Keep in mind, many people stopped going to Mass because they do not get anything out of “it.” “The Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself, both divine and human. [who we can encounter at Mass.] The Eucharist is a ‘He,’ a Person, a divine Person.” ** We might include in our conversations one brief example of how we encountered Jesus during communal worship. Then listen again.
Listening without judgment to each person and responding to him or her with love is important. At the right time, a further question might be, “Can you share what going to church has been like for you in the past?” Labels, like fallen away, lapsed, or backsliding Catholic might best be left out of our conversations. Such terms can easily imply blame, rather than open doors to healing.
Here are some opportunities with spiritual potential for which you might extend an initial invitation:
- Collecting food for parish-sponsored food pantries.
- Community prayer services (small or large) for those who have lost family, jobs, or suffered breakdowns in relationships during the pandemic.
- Visiting a neighbor in need together.
- Participating in a parish walking group, exercise class, or a walk for hunger.
- Service at a soup kitchen, food pantry, or homeless shelter.
- Helping at a parish festival or seasonal gathering.
- Online or in-person retreats, prayer groups, Bible studies, pilgrimages, or Masses.
- Attending a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday Mass together.
Remember. Mass may not be the first or most appropriate starting invitation. Coming to one of these other activities might be a good beginning, especially if we follow-up by asking, “What was this experience like for you?” Then listen. Such open-ended conversations can bring relationships to a new and deeper spiritual level. Then Mass becomes easier as a second or third step. Now is the time. Many are hungry for community and spiritual compassion after a pandemic year of deprivation.
**(Dr. Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Ask Peter Kreeft–The 100 Most Interesting Questions He’s Ever Been Asked: Sophia Institute Press).
(Find more about inviting others to Christ and the Church in Sharing the Faith That You Love by John and Therese Boucher)