Our Lady of Good Counsel’s ‘Welcome Mass’ invites friends, family to learn Good News

Plymouth — The pews were packed and even the overflow seating was overflowing at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish’s Jan. 4 “Welcome Mass” that afternoon.

“This really invigorates our parish to do more, and we will,” said Bob Adsit, parish council chairman and one of the organizers of the parish’s special Mass.

Adsit explained that the Mass was inspired by parish members — nearly all of whom participated in the parish’s widely successful Alpha for Catholics program — who wanted to bring their non-practicing friends and family to church.

The Plymouth parish’s pastor, Fr. John Riccardo, arranged that the Mass would be like any other Sunday Mass, but the homily would focus specifically on sharing the Good News of the Gospel with the congregation.

Essentially, it was a “kerygmatic” Mass, which Adsit explained means “the proclamation of the Good News” in the most basic terms possible — the Gospel in a “nutshell.”

He said it was the same approach used by the original disciples “so those who really don’t know Jesus can get a better understanding.”

The Mass was specifically designed for those without active faith lives, rather than practicing non-Catholic Christians or those of other faiths. Those who attended were invited to experience each part of the Mass with their Catholic friends, with the exception of receiving the Eucharist, which Fr. Riccardo explained in a brief introduction.

Following Mass, parishioners who completed Alpha were invited to give brief “testimonies,” with refreshments, social time, and the opportunity to sign up for the Alpha program if desired. A key component was that visitors not feel “pressured” to convert or feel uncomfortable, but rather experience a welcoming, inviting atmosphere.

Adsit said the Alpha program started as a way to help people get to know Jesus on a more personal level and to delve into the meaning of life.

Our Lady of Good Counsel uses the Alpha program in a Catholic setting, which Adsit said is done “a little differently than our Protestant brothers and sisters,” but maintains the process of lectures and small group discussions.

Alpha meets once a week for several months, and includes food, fellowship and the opportunity to build new friendships as participants learn more about God.

Adsit acknowledged it is hard for many cradle Catholics to step out of their comfort zones and engage their non-Catholic or non-practicing friends and family. But with the help of Alpha, “I’ve seen a lot of changes in the parish; I’ve seen a lot of new energy.”

“Even for people like my wife and I, who we thought were strong in our faith … it strengthened our faith even further,” Adsit said.

He added that “we’ve pretty much gone through all our parishioners,” with regard to Alpha, “so now we’re focusing on people on the outside who are trying to find our Lord.”

 

Fr. Riccardo’s Welcome Mass homily

To listen to Fr. Riccardo’s homily at the Jan. 4 Welcome Mass, visit http://buff.ly/1rZ0yan. To learn more about the parish’s Alpha program, visit www.olgcparish.net/alpha.