Perspective New old church with room for
friends
By PATTY McCARTY
A year ago I changed churches. For
many years I had been a member of the nice big church about six blocks from my
home. Some Sundays I was a Communion minister. Once a month I walked the halls
of the nearby Baptist hospital carrying little pieces of bread to patients who
saw with the eyes of faith that what I brought them was far more than bread.
For more than 10 years I have been a member of a small Christian community
based at the big parish.
I had heard about St. James, a much smaller congregation a few
miles closer to downtown -- about its service to its neighborhood, its
community dining room, food pantry and thrift store. But I was never tempted to
visit.
Then my friend Joan was named its pastoral administrator, and I
attended her installation. Even with the 10 or so friends and relatives who
came because of Joan, the church was only about half full. It seemed so
different from my big, crowded church.
Hey, I thought, this is a place where there would be room to bring
a friend. It felt comfortable. There was a friendly scramble at the Sign of
Peace, when people moved around the church, shaking hands, smiling, hugging and
sharing bits of news. Thats easier when pews arent packed.
And the smaller church has marvelous acoustics. Even half empty,
when the choir and the congregation sang, the sound bounced off the walls, and
the church felt full.
And when they sang and prayed and milled about, there were all
kinds and colors -- a glimpse of Gods diversity. Thats something I
want in my life.
It seemed to me that I was being called out of one church and into
another. I talked with my pastor and friends at the church near my home and
signed on at my new church.
Because theres room and because my new church has a special
spirit and a real need, I reach out to friends and family and invite them to
come to church with me. Some smile and say probably not. But some have come to
see what Im so excited about -- including members of my small Christian
community. That group is still a home base for me.
One Sunday in late summer, Diana, a friend, came with me to Mass.
I could tell she liked it. After Mass Joan invited Diana to come again and told
her about the class for people interested in exploring the idea of becoming a
Catholic Christian. That was rushing things, I thought, but Joan doesnt
hold back.
Next time I saw Diana she said she wanted to come to church with
me again. When does that class start? she asked. Ive
been thinking about it.
Later, just sitting with the wonder of it, I asked myself what I
could tell Diana about the church. I decided I could tell her that the church
is about Jesus, who is the son of God, as we are daughters and sons of God. I
would probably tell her I dont know how being a child of God is different
for Jesus from what it is for me, but maybe it is. I would tell her that Jesus
is holy and generous and loves the world and its people so much that he found a
way to stay with us so that his life and love didnt end with his death.
And I would tell her that he said, You will do greater
things than I. To me that says that Jesus knew there would be people who
would love with a love as strong, courageous and miraculous as his own. A
recent example for me is the priests in East Timor who died defending people
sheltered in their church (NCR, Sept. 17 and 24).
Diana was surprised that it takes so long to become a Catholic.
Classes started in September and run beyond Easter. Inquirers and their
sponsors from St. James meet with inquirers and sponsors from two other
mid-city churches. I offered to be Dianas sponsor. Thats how
Ive come to be spending every Thursday evening with a group of people
most of whom I didnt know until recently. Diana hasnt yet come to
the Thursday night group and will soon start a job where she works evenings and
wont be able to come. She comes to Mass with me on Sunday, and were
going to a chili supper with bingo at the church this week.
One Thursday evening a young single mom who is returning to church
asked me, If your student doesnt come, will you be my
sponsor? So Im accompanying Heather on her journey to Easter, when
she will be confirmed.
When I moved to Kansas City many years ago, one of my friends at
the big church near my home was Tom Blackburn, who wrote for NCR. A rule
he lived by was, You gotta leave room for the Holy Spirit. I hope
Im doing that.
Patty McCarty is NCR copyeditor.
National Catholic Reporter, November 5,
1999
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