WNYC File Photo  - Anthony and Bernadette Misita, along with their daughter Angela, donate hand made wooden crosses to the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Kenmore Mercy Hospital on Aug. 1, 2006. The crosses, made by Anthony Misita, are in memory of their son Randal who took his own life.

Many parishes feel overwhelmed by the call to evangelize. Oddly, sometimes these parishes are located right down the road from those enjoying great success. How is that possible?

Have you ever read the children’s story, “Stone Soup?” It is a story about seeing abundance where others see only scarcity, asking the right questions and welcoming newcomers. Likewise, some parishes succeed at evangelization by starting with a cup of welcome, a pinch of the right questions, and a half pound of what is already on hand.

Leaders at Holy Cross Parish in Buffalo decided to accentuate the abundance of enthusiasm they feel for their parish as a first step in their outreach plans. The pastor, Msgr. David Gallivan, invited some parishioners to share a brief witness at Mass about what the parish has to share with others. One of the parishioners who spoke was Tony Mesita, who rejoined the parish of his childhood after the tragedy of his son’s suicide.

“When I called a local church to arrange for the funeral, I was questioned rather than comforted, Mesita said. “When I turned to Holy Cross in Buffalo, they treated me with warmth and welcome. Holy Cross gave me a reason to return and a reason to stay.”
It was not long after Mesita got reacquainted at the parish that he was asked to contribute. He chose to make crosses out of some old church pews for various parishioners in need of spiritual support.

“One carpentry project led to another and now I am active as a member of parish pastoral council and I invite younger and newer parishioners to join me” Mesita said.

WNYC File Photo - One of the crosses made by Anthony Misita.

While bearing the weight of their own cross together, Mesita and his wife, Bernadette, have spoken in many schools throughout the area on suicide prevention. Mesita‘s church-wood crosses continue to give comfort to people around the diocese, including at the emergency rooms of Kenmore Mercy and South Buffalo Mercy Hospitals.

This summer the Newman Center at the University at Buffalo will repeat an annual lecture series to bridge the church-university divide. The lectures are a way to share what they have in abundance: brilliant minds. Ed Cavan organizes the event at the North Campus, UB Newman Center.

“The program involves a warm welcome, exciting speakers and M&M’s (both kinds),” Cavan said. “Before guests leave they are invited to upcoming parish events and there are bulletins and event flyers for the taking.”

Following the same recipe, Blessed Trinity Parish on Buffalo’s East Side decided to host a concert series to welcome everyone who appreciates music. Richard Plunkett, one of the organizers, named what the parish has in abundance.

“We have friendly people and an awe-inspiring worship space,” Plunkett said. “And we hope that this might motivate a return visit sometime soon.”

This summer, SS. Columba-Brigid Parish in Buffalo is hosting a wellness series on Saturdays starting on July 17.

“We will feature inspirational speakers, yoga, nutritional counseling, chiropractics and even Zumba-dancing,” said Paula Hunt, an organizer for the parish wellness series. “In preparation for the series, there will be a publicity campaign targeting the neighborhood with the help of the youth of our parish. And we will end the summer with a retreat out in the country.”

Three West Side parishes in Buffalo joined together to hold a retreat this past Lent to build community and foster new spiritual energy. The retreat director invited participants to pray and discuss the common challenges of being Church on the West Side. The more than 150 people who attended from Holy Angels, Our Lady of Hope, and Holy Cross, shared ways to work together for a united future.

Each of the three churches hosted a night and offered a simple meal. Presentations were bilingual. Everything was well organized and success was assured through personal invitations.

“It was the most hope-filled experience I have seen in years,” Msgr. Gallivan said.

The next event will be a summer social with ice cream and a brief presentation on more cooperative possibilities.

Evangelization is happening. Perhaps the secret ingredient for success is as simple as the story of “Stone Soup.” All that is needed to succeed is a cup of welcome, a pinch of the right questions, and just enough confidence that there is something valuable to share.

Who is your audience? What outcome do you want? What resources might you have overlooked? Start with the right ingredients and even a simple effort can produce a feast. 

WNYC File Photo  - Anthony and Bernadette Misita, along with their daughter Angela, donate hand made wooden crosses to the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Kenmore Mercy Hospital on Aug. 1, 2006. The crosses, made by Anthony Misita, are in memory of their son Randal who took his own life.

Many parishes feel overwhelmed by the call to evangelize. Oddly, sometimes these parishes are located right down the road from those enjoying great success. How is that possible?

Have you ever read the children’s story, “Stone Soup?” It is a story about seeing abundance where others see only scarcity, asking the right questions and welcoming newcomers. Likewise, some parishes succeed at evangelization by starting with a cup of welcome, a pinch of the right questions, and a half pound of what is already on hand.

Leaders at Holy Cross Parish in Buffalo decided to accentuate the abundance of enthusiasm they feel for their parish as a first step in their outreach plans. The pastor, Msgr. David Gallivan, invited some parishioners to share a brief witness at Mass about what the parish has to share with others. One of the parishioners who spoke was Tony Mesita, who rejoined the parish of his childhood after the tragedy of his son’s suicide.

“When I called a local church to arrange for the funeral, I was questioned rather than comforted, Mesita said. “When I turned to Holy Cross in Buffalo, they treated me with warmth and welcome. Holy Cross gave me a reason to return and a reason to stay.”
It was not long after Mesita got reacquainted at the parish that he was asked to contribute. He chose to make crosses out of some old church pews for various parishioners in need of spiritual support.

“One carpentry project led to another and now I am active as a member of parish pastoral council and I invite younger and newer parishioners to join me” Mesita said.

WNYC File Photo - One of the crosses made by Anthony Misita.

While bearing the weight of their own cross together, Mesita and his wife, Bernadette, have spoken in many schools throughout the area on suicide prevention. Mesita‘s church-wood crosses continue to give comfort to people around the diocese, including at the emergency rooms of Kenmore Mercy and South Buffalo Mercy Hospitals.

This summer the Newman Center at the University at Buffalo will repeat an annual lecture series to bridge the church-university divide. The lectures are a way to share what they have in abundance: brilliant minds. Ed Cavan organizes the event at the North Campus, UB Newman Center.

“The program involves a warm welcome, exciting speakers and M&M’s (both kinds),” Cavan said. “Before guests leave they are invited to upcoming parish events and there are bulletins and event flyers for the taking.”

Following the same recipe, Blessed Trinity Parish on Buffalo’s East Side decided to host a concert series to welcome everyone who appreciates music. Richard Plunkett, one of the organizers, named what the parish has in abundance.

“We have friendly people and an awe-inspiring worship space,” Plunkett said. “And we hope that this might motivate a return visit sometime soon.”

This summer, SS. Columba-Brigid Parish in Buffalo is hosting a wellness series on Saturdays starting on July 17.

“We will feature inspirational speakers, yoga, nutritional counseling, chiropractics and even Zumba-dancing,” said Paula Hunt, an organizer for the parish wellness series. “In preparation for the series, there will be a publicity campaign targeting the neighborhood with the help of the youth of our parish. And we will end the summer with a retreat out in the country.”

Three West Side parishes in Buffalo joined together to hold a retreat this past Lent to build community and foster new spiritual energy. The retreat director invited participants to pray and discuss the common challenges of being Church on the West Side. The more than 150 people who attended from Holy Angels, Our Lady of Hope, and Holy Cross, shared ways to work together for a united future.

Each of the three churches hosted a night and offered a simple meal. Presentations were bilingual. Everything was well organized and success was assured through personal invitations.

“It was the most hope-filled experience I have seen in years,” Msgr. Gallivan said.

The next event will be a summer social with ice cream and a brief presentation on more cooperative possibilities.

Evangelization is happening. Perhaps the secret ingredient for success is as simple as the story of “Stone Soup.” All that is needed to succeed is a cup of welcome, a pinch of the right questions, and just enough confidence that there is something valuable to share.

Who is your audience? What outcome do you want? What resources might you have overlooked? Start with the right ingredients and even a simple effort can produce a feast.