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The small chapel at St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands quickly fills as members of the Black Catholic Apostolate process in to the tune of "We've Come this Far by Faith," arriving for a Wednesday evening of music, prayer and praise.

For the past year, parishioners of St. Joan of Arc have been gathering Wednesdays at 6 p.m. for the Rosary, Mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

The music is lively, the praise is open - and the numbers are increasing. Though the service began with only seven or eight people, attendance has tripled in recent months.

The weekly Wednesday evening services have provided members of the Black Catholic Apostolate with an extra opportunity to come together for liturgy. Attendees also present their intentions to a community of prayer that has been growing steadily over the past year.

It began when a handful of friends and fellow parishioners of Tej Molla, a member of the apostolate, gathered to pray a Rosary for her ailing daughter. Then the parishioners added a Bible study and prayer service until the pastor, Rev. Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah, began offering a Mass, as well.

Holy hours
Word of the Wednesday group has been spreading. The small chapel where the services are held has nearly filled up in recent months - but, as longtime parishioner and apostolate member Jim Owens said, they don't mind the crowd.

"We hope that the chapel becomes too small," Mr. Owens remarked.

He noted that while eucharistic adoration isn't held regularly in some local parishes, many of the regular attendees at St. Joan's are originally from foreign countries, notably in Africa, where exposition is more common. That may account for the effort's popularity.

Many attendees also appreciate that Father Ntsiful-Amissah often prays over each person and allows time for individuals to kneel before the altar. This gives the faithful a chance for a more personal time of prayer before the Eucharist.

"Each person has the chance to have their own adoration," said Mr. Owens.

Divine fuel
Sherry DeCrosta attributes the success of the Wednesday night services to the work of the Holy Spirit. "It's growing," she said. "God is working miracles."

Ms. DeCrosta has been attending the service since it began over a year ago and has participated in the Black Catholic Apostolate since she returned to the Church 15 years ago.

She said she visited many parishes when she decided to return, trying to find the community and the spirit she so desired. Then she attended the Black Catholic Apostolate service and "felt at home."

Ms. DeCrosta shared that what keeps her coming back to the Wednesday night services particularly is the "strength and specificity of the prayers."

Ms. Molla agreed. During the Mass, she explained, the congregation is encouraged to speak up and share personal intentions. People can announce their needs and thanks, building a community of prayer along the way. They also comment on the readings for the day.

"It's brought a lot of us together and without inhibition," said Mr. Owens. "We can express what each one has to say to God while still within the community."

Most of all, the Wednesday services allow parishioners to develop their prayer lives and feed themselves spiritually outside of Sunday Mass.

"What I receive on Sunday, I go on Wednesdays to reinforce," said Mr. Owens. "It speaks to what Father Kofi teaches us: 'A church, to be alive, has to be a church that prays.'"

(06/03/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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