The Church asks all Catholics to evangelize, and a Connecticut parish is carrying out the Great Commission in a unique way: Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Plainville will be running a booth at its town’s annual balloon festival Aug. 22-23.
Now in its 38th year, the Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival has routinely attracted around 25,000 people to the town’s Norton Park, according to Fox 61.
Father M. David Dawson, the parish pastor, believes local Catholics should be inviting the many visitors to come back to Christ or get to know Him for the first time.
“Our faith should not stay within the four walls of the church,” said Fr. Dawson, according to the Archdiocese of Hartford. “Everyone needs Christ.”
Noting that some people have drifted away after the pandemic or due to schedules or work, Fr. Dawson said he wants everyone to return home to the Church and to welcome those who would be attending for the first time.
This is the second year that the parish has run a booth at the festival. Like last year, volunteers will man the booth, offering to speak and pray with anyone who is interested. There will be free religious medals, prayer cards, rosaries, and children’s items available, as well as flyers with Mass and confession times.
“We want to have a real presence and an impact on people in our town,” Fr. Dawson said, according to the archdiocese. “This is a chance to make our presence felt among our community. We are part of Plainville, and we want people to come home.”
Fr. Dawson asked for prayers that the parish’s work might help bring people closer to God.
“Pray that our efforts will bear eternal fruit,” he said, according to the archdiocese. “Pray that those who have wandered will allow the Lord to open their hearts to his spirit.”
The nearby diocese of Norwich shared the story, saying that Our Lady of Mercy will be “offering a joyful, visible witness to Christ at a community event. May it inspire other parishes to seek similar ways of planting seeds of faith in unexpected places.”
>> Pope Leo calls for openness to gift of evangelization in July 6 Angelus address <<
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Author: Felix Miller
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