Outdoor Mass

Have you ever been to the celebration of the Eucharist at an outdoor Mass? For the past 10 years, our Small Church Community has (w/ the exception of one year that was too wet).

First a little history...About 14 years ago, our previous parish was using the "Come As You Are" program. It is a 12-week program for forming small faith sharing groups. From there, most of the small communities continued to meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly (depending on their individual schedules). The group I was originally in never made it past those 12 weeks, however, another group that had already formed was open to having Casinodad & me join them. Most of our group has since gone to other parishes, but we have continued to meet bi-weekly. We study & discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday, share prayer requests, & focus on a book to read & discuss. We also focus on charitable work...donating clothing, toiletries, money, etc. throughout the year to a local ministry center.

The pastor who was at our previous parish when the "Come As You Are" groups formed has since retired & lives on about 25 acres of land. Once a year, for the past 10 years, our group has taken the meal & spent a Sunday afternoon on his "farm." Underneath the colorful trees of Fall, Father will say Mass for us. When he gets to the homily, he preaches from his notes then sometimes sits down & lets us share our thoughts. This is great for the kids who are there. He invites them to ask any questions &/or voice their thoughts, too.

One of the things he asked yesterday was the difference between the day's Mass & our normal Sunday Masses. My answer was that Casinodad & I were able to attend the whole Mass because neither of us had to take The Saint out to the lobby...LOL! He was very well-behaved!

Yesterday's weather was perfect for this celebration...mid 70s & no rain. The fall colors seem so brilliant this year & sitting together beneath the trees was so faith-filling. As one of our group's members shared at the end of Mass, she could feel the Holy Spirit's presence among us in the rustling of the wind through the leaves above us. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Eucharist together!