By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

Parishioners in Visitation Parish, Brick, are being challenged to do something very courageous Sept. 24.

That day, parishioners are being asked to reach out to a family member, friend or neighbor who they know have been away from the Church and invite them to attend a Sunday Mass.

Dale Zanetti, parish adult faith formation coordinator, said the idea for Visitation Parish to host its first “Bring a Friend to Church Sunday” was based on the messages of Pope Francis and the Catholic bishops who “have been telling us to come up with new and innovative ways to bring people back to the faith.” As a result, the parish adult faith formation and liturgy teams collaborated in exploring unique and different approaches.

Explaining the format, Zanetti said a general welcome for all newcomers and visitors will be given at all Sunday Masses, which are celebrated at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Parish priests, deacons and some leaders will be available for anyone who would like to talk after Mass. Coffee and refreshments will also be served in the parish hall.

Noting that the Scripture Readings for Sept. 24 are from Isaiah 55 and focus on the “Laborers in the Vineyard,” Zanetti said the homilies that will be preached that day will relate to newcomers and those returning to the Church.

“We hope our parishioners will be encouraged to be brave and ask their friends, families and neighbors to come to Mass with them on that day,” Zanetti said, adding that “Bring a Friend to Church Sunday” will be kept “low key” so that everyone who attends will feel comfortable.

“Just maybe there is someone who wants to return but has not been brave enough to take that step. So we are asking our parishioners to step out in faith and invite them,” she said.

Visitation Parish is located at 730 Lynwood Ave., Brick.

For more information, contact Zanetti at 732-477-7950, ext. 214, or email [email protected].