---

It's homecoming time at St. Adalbert's parish in Schenectady: The parish's new evangelization program kicked off with a "homecoming weekend" that welcomed back fallen-away Catholics to Mass.

Most parishioners surveyed said they fulfilled the request to invite at least one person to church. More than a dozen new people attended the special liturgy, and a few families have already reported they will be returning to the parish.

"It's encouraging," said Rev. Charles Gaffigan, weekend presider at St. Adalbert's and a member of the parish's evangelization committee. "Most didn't say outright, 'No.' They accepted the invitation."

Father Gaffigan said the committee prayed about how to start such a program for a year and also enlisted the prayer support of a cloistered community of Carmelite nuns in Rochester who used to live in Schenectady.

In homilies, he and Deacon Joseph Cechnicki, the parish life director, have been encouraging parishioners to connect with people who haven't been going to church and keep tabs on them for a year.

"It's not just one weekend," Father Gaffigan explained. "Every weekend is a homecoming. We don't want to be pests, but [parishioners should] pray every day, and the Spirit will inspire you to find the right words to invite them. If you don't sow anything, nothing comes up."

Deacon Cechnicki has been telling new people they should find a faith community that makes them comfortable - whether that's St. Adalbert's or not.

"The purpose is to bring people to God, first and foremost," he said.

Sister Bernadette Filter, CR, pastoral associate for the elderly, invited a 32-year-old man whom she had met at parish social events. He's already come to Mass twice.

"I would hope this fellow would find it of great value to come to church and be closer to God," Sister Bernadette said. "I think he doesn't know what's best for him. We're going to try to be the goodwill ambassadors for the Lord."[[In-content Ad]]

---