To Contact Us
Write:
PO Box 1603
Lafayette, IN 47902
Phone:
(765) 742-2050
Fax:
(765) 742-7513
E-mail
our office
Buy, Sell, Trade or Rent with Classified Advertising
Happening ... in the Local Church
 |
 Father
Phil Haslinger (above), associate pastor of St. Louis de Montfort
Parish, Fishers, celebrates Mass at the home of the Kemerer family
(left): Amy; Bill; Laura, 5; Rachel, 3; and Nathan, 18 months. (Photos
by Caroline B. Mooney) |
By Caroline B. Mooney
The
Catholic Moment
FISHERS — Building a stronger parish community and serving the needs of parishioners are the goals of the “Neighbor Ministry” at St. Louis de Montfort Church.
The group, in its third year, was inspired by a similar ministry that Father Phil Haslinger, associate pastor, had seen in California.
“I know there are people out there who are not being serviced,” he said. “The idea was that a parishioner would take his subdivision and call people. Introduce yourself — ask if the parish could do anything for you, or is there anything that you need?”
The group hosted in-home Masses during Lent.
“I hope to build enthusiasm within different areas of the parish,” Father Haslinger said. “I had the callouts for in-home Masses as a way to build the ministry. People today are so busy; young families are not at home and it’s been hard for callers to find people.”
A reference booklet for volunteers states that the ministry aims “to establish a community of Christians who will work together within St. Louis de Montfort Parish to reach out and tend to the needs of our Church family.”
Ultimately, all members of the parish would be contacted by phone and offered help and support. Groups are divided by neighborhoods and subdivisions, and volunteers make calls in their areas.
Each volunteer is asked to make a three-year commitment, attend periodic meetings, call 60 families each quarter, welcome new neighbors and be a good listener and loving Christian.
Callers are to lead those in need to the parish staff and service agencies.
“I hope the Masses get new people involved,” Father Haslinger said. “It’s a great idea. Within four or five calls, you can find immediate things you can do for people. Calls have brought confession to one shut-in parishioner, and one man said, ‘This is great — could you call my daughter?’”
Amy and Bill Kemerer, with their children, Laura, 5, Rachel, 3, and Nathan, 18 months, hosted Mass in their home on March 23. Six families and one couple — a total of 17 adults and 13 children — celebrated Mass together. Youngsters sat on the floor, with adults on couches and chairs.
“We have held Bible studies in our home before,” Amy Kemerer said. “Before the Mass, we just invited friends and called neighbors in our parish directory. When we moved into our house, Father Phil came and blessed it for us. We really love him, so it’s wonderful to have him say Mass in our home.”
“It seemed like a natural thing for us to do,” Bill Kemerer said. “For me, it was an honor to have Mass with parish friends and family in our home. One of the families that came is considering hosting a Mass.”
The Kemerers provided a table with a tablecloth for the altar, and Father Haslinger celebrated Mass in front of the family’s fireplace.
Hors d’oeuvres and chili were served after Mass. Some people had just met, but it seemed to be a gathering of old friends.
“When they invited us, I had never been to Mass in a house before,” said Nahir Bacardi, a family friend. “It’s great to have friends, neighbors and family come together in a familiar atmosphere. It’s very different, kind of casual. The more you get to know people, the closer you feel. I love Father Phil and it was great to have him celebrate the Mass.”
“It was my first Mass outside of a church,” Matt Kesterton said. “I thought it was neat to hear people say prayers together in someone’s home. I liked it — it really made an impression on me.”
Anthony Ayers has attended in-home Masses before. He said he “really enjoys the intimacy of it. The chance to be in a small group is neat to me. The chance to worship with people in your neighborhood is special.”
Eddy Gonzales came with his son, Vincent, 11.
“It was a beautiful experience,” Gonzales said. “It’s a sacred moment that one can bring from church to a home. ... It reminds me of the early Church. People had to find ways to celebrate Mass in the catacombs and in people’s houses — it is really a long-standing tradition of our Church.”