Editor's Note: Sometimes the best opportunities to share the Gospel come when we step beyond the walls of our churches and meet people where they are. The following story from the Archdiocese of Hartford shows how one parish found a creative way to do just that—offering a joyful, visible witness to Christ at a community event. May it inspire other parishes to seek similar ways of planting seeds of faith in unexpected places. And if you get a chance, head up to Plainville and check out the balloons!
A rainbow of balloons painted the sky during the Plainville hot balloon festival last year. Our Lady of Mercy Parish of Plainville will have a booth set up at the event to evangelize to festival-goers. (PHOTO BY KAREN AVITABILE)
Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Plainville is inviting people who have questions about the Catholic Church to ask them during the town’s upcoming ballon festival.
For the second year, newcomers and returning Catholics will be welcomed to the parish booth during the 38th annual Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival, which runs Aug. 22 and 23 at Norton Park.
“Some people have wandered away because of schedule, work or it slipped off the radar during the coronavirus,” pastor M. David Dawson says. “We want everybody to come home or welcome those who have never been to church to come.”
Father Dawson learned about the balloon festival, one of Plainville’s signature events, soon after his appointment as pastor in 2023. He suggested last year that the parish set up a booth to reach out to the community and evangelize at the same time.
“Our faith should not stay within the four walls of the church,” he says. “Everyone needs Christ.”
Similar to last year, a committee will work in shifts at the parish booth to greet people, engage in friendly conversation and pray with anyone who wishes to do so. Volunteers will also hand out religious medals, prayer cards, rosaries, trinkets for children, and flyers with information about the church, Mass times and confession schedule.
“We want to have a real presence and an impact on people in our town,” Father Dawson says. “This is a chance to make our presence felt among our community. We are part of Plainville, and we want people to come home.”
During the balloon festival, Father Dawson, donned in a cassock, spends most of his time walking around the park “to give people a little nudge,” he says, “to remind them that the Catholic Church is here for them.”
Homebound parishioners who are unable to participate in the balloon festival are asked to pray for the volunteers and the people they will encounter. “Pray that the Lord will work through the volunteers and his words and attitude will come through their mouths and actions,” Father Dawson says. “Pray that people who have never been Mass-goers start coming, and pray that those who have wandered will allow the Lord to open their hearts to his spirit.”
All festival-goers are encouraged to stop by the booth for Our Lady of Mercy Parish. Weather permitting, the balloon festival runs 3 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 22, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 23 at Norton Park on South Washington Street. Crafters, vendors, food trucks, carnival rides and entertainment will be offered on both days.
At dusk on Friday, a balloon glow – when tethered balloons are illuminated from within the park at the same time – and a fireworks display will light up the sky.
On Saturday, balloons are scheduled to take flight from the park at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The balloons are a spectacle that captivate several neighboring communities too.
Also on the second day of the festival, a classic and muscle car exhibit will be underway. To mark the 140th anniversary of the Plainville Fire Company, a professional drone show in the evening is expected to draw a large crowd.
Father Dawson says he is hoping the parish booth will “plant a seed” with those who are unfamiliar with the faith. “Pray that our efforts will bear eternal fruit,” he adds. “Pray that those who have wandered will allow the Lord to open their hearts to his spirit.”
By Karen A. Avitabile
This story was originally published at archdioceseofhartford.org
Keith and Cheryl Lombardo were two of several volunteers from Our Lady of Mercy Parish of Plainville who engaged people in friendly conversation about the Catholic Church during last year’s balloon festival in town. PHOTO BY KAREN AVITABILE