Let’s imagine that Ralph and Mary decide to “get Ashes.” When they enter the church something is different. They are greeted by a friendly handshake and a printed program for the service. They move down the aisle where there is another smiling usher. Soft, inspirational music is playing. It may be unfamiliar, but is moving. The service begins with another greeting, followed by readings that are proclaimed in a very spirited manner. Mary notices the difference. The homily strikes both Mary and Ralph. Its point is unmistakable – Jesus. We need Jesus, and he is there for us.
Next, the celebrant steps aside and someone from the congregation approaches the lectern. “It’s Frank,” whispers Ralph. “He coaches Michael’s soccer team!” They listen as Frank shares how Jesus has touched his life in the last year. They never heard anyone talk like this before! There is much more than ashes being offered.
Explicit Faith in Jesus
Each part of this Ash Wednesday service is meant to work toward one goal – inviting the person in the pew to take one step closer to the Lord Jesus. This requires a willingness to perform some very familiar ministries in a very different ways to create both a prayerful and an evangelistic atmosphere.
When people walk in the door, they are welcomed warmly by ushers and greeters. Each person at the service is a special guest. Ideally, background music begins about fifteen minutes before the service itself. Songs that are prayers of self-offering to God, or lyrics that speak the words Jesus to us, are most effective throughout the event. Refrains should be short and easily sung.
Copies of a Lenten prayer card are distributed at some point and can be used as part of the service. We also invite people to use this prayer daily during Lent. The schedule for special events like parish missions, daily masses, confessions, bible studies, Stations of the Cross, is on the back.
Lectors are encouraged to speak from a lived faith. The homily must be short, clear and enthusiastic. Focus is on God’s infinite love, inviting us to turn away from sin and rediscover our spiritual roots. Ashes are distributed with reverence and a welcoming attitude. For a most successful evangelistic Ash Wednesday service, all the ministries must be trained anew so that they can envision the service from an evangelistic perspective. (Sharing the Faith That You Love can be read and discussed together for this purpose.)
Lay People Share Conversion Stories
Following the homily, the celebrant invites one or two lay people to share how they have turned from sin and toward Jesus Christ. This helps us realize that conversion and holiness are for everyday people. Witnesses need training and help to write their three to five minute stories. They need practice with a microphone in church, if possible, and feedback for improvements.
Following the witnesses, the celebrant invites listeners to accept Jesus in a deeper way. The congregation might do this by a line-by-line recitation of the Nicene Creed. This prepares people for the actual reception of ashes which is meant to be an invitation to faith.
Next, the celebrant invites everyone to whatever primary Lenten offering the parish is using. People are invited to get more information and/or to sign up as they leave the church (name, address and phone numbers, and email).
Hope You Can Come Again
As ushers help people come forward for ashes, greeters move toward all the doors. Their role is three-fold. First, they thank people for coming and invite them to come again. Second, they can hand out fliers with information about a primary parish offering. Inactive Catholics will not be present at Sunday masses to receive this information. Third, they can ask some people how they liked the service, and listen patiently to people’s reactions.
Evangelistic Ash Wednesday services usually last about forty-five minutes. Masses with evangelistic components can last from seventy-five to ninety minutes. When inviting regular Sunday mass goers to special Ash Wednesday liturgies, you may want to warn them. Because of their length, parishes usually schedule more services, rather than masses.
A key to evangelizing visitors is inviting everyone in the parish to bring friends and family to church on Ash Wednesday for about two or three weeks prior, as well as ministry training in evangelization over several months. The first year, parishes usually begin with one evangelistic Ash Wednesday service; then expand from there in later years.
For more about the rationale behind this kind of project visit www.christmascarolfestival.com