Denver Catholic

19 DENVER CATHOLIC | DECEMBER 24, 2016-JANUARY 27, 2017 Don't put scratchy toilet paper in the guest bathroom F irst impressions make all the di‹erence. Over the past twenty years, I've lived in Baku, Azerbaijan, Kiev, Ukraine, in Tahoe, Fort Lauderdale, Whitefish, Evergreen and now, Brecken- ridge. In each loca- tion, the first place I sought out was the local Catho- lic church. I looked forward to attending Mass knowing I would immediately feel at home as I experienced the familiar beauty of Communion. Whether I felt welcome could be determined by a warm greeting. If you've been a member of your neigh- borhood church for decades, you might doubt the impact you can have. But imagine for a moment that you are standing in front of the manger. Notice Saint Joseph kneeling next to his beloved wife. Then follow his gaze to Mary holding our Savior, who on this cold winter night is just a baby. She looks lovingly at this precious child she knows is destined to save the world. And then she looks at you. Her eyes ask the question: "Will you open your heart to help my Son? Will you welcome the stranger sitting next to you so they can discover the love and joy that you have found in Jesus' Church?" On a dark and snowy Christmas Eve in Evergreen, Colo., my 85-year- old mother and I had just moved from Florida. We were very excited to join the community but we didn't know a single person. When we arrived at Christ the King Church for Mass we were not only late, we'd entered through the side entrance, right next to the altar, just as the priest was reading the gospel. The church was packed to the choir loft rafters. We hurriedly slid into the nearest pew, still spinning with unfamiliarity and embarrass- ment at being late. After the homily, the man sitting next to us smiled and said hello. I explained that we were new, and he responded by welcoming Mom and I and assuring us that we would love our new church, that it was filled with newcomers and long-time residents. And then he wished us a very merry Christmas. It was one simple conversation that occurred seven years ago. I don't remember the man's name, only how welcome he made us feel on that win- tery night. During this Advent and Christmas, our churches will be crowded with unfamiliar faces, some will be on hol- iday from other states, others live a few streets away. You've spent the day shopping in crowded malls and battling crowded highways to get to church, so the last thing you want to see is a stranger sit- ting in your favorite pew. You might even be tempted to grumble as you slide in next to them. But as one of those strangers, might I ask you a favor? Say hello to me. Welcome me to church, ask my name, shake my hand, and at the end of service tell me you hope you'll see me next week. If you're feeling festive, invite me to join you and the other parishioners for co‹ee and donuts in the church kitchen. The crowded churches we face at Christmas may feel like a nuisance. But I believe they are filled with people who have been called by Jesus Christ himself! They might not know it was Jesus, only they felt a faint tugging on their heart, on their sleeve by a child, or nagged into going by a spouse or parent. Don't be fooled by their sullen gaze. They have been called to wit- ness and celebrate the birth of Jesus, by no less than God, who is gently reaching out to them. They might come once a year, but this annual visit is fueled by a desire to meet Jesus, not only in the Eucharist but in each of us. That's what happened in the church I now call home. Barb is the quintessential grandma, with a smile that brightens the heart of everyone she encounters as one of the greeters at St. Mary's in Breckenridge. When I began attending Mass at St. Mary's, I would slip in and out of church without saying a word. Finally, Barb stopped me, said hello, introduced herself and gave me a hug of welcome. Every week after that she did the same. Because of Barb, I felt welcome in my new church. I lingered after Mass to meet other parishioners, began attending Adoration on Thursday's, and recently I become a Lector. One person can make all the di‹er- ence. The smile we share, our warm greeting, might be the only one they receive that day. When we greet a stranger during Mass, we become the hands and heart of Jesus welcoming his beloved to his Church. Jesus asks us to use this Christmas to share our love for him and for our church and faith. He's done the hard part, bringing them to church. All Jesus asks of us is that we share the love he shared with us when we were strangers. Will you share the love of Jesus and welcome a newcomer to your church this Christmas? Guest Column Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson is the author of "God Loves You, Chester Blue" and other books. You can reach her at Suzanne@suzanneelizabeths. com or facebook.com/ suzanneelizabeths SUZANNE ELIZABETH ANDERSON Adoration is like Christmas every day of the year I had a conversation recently that went in a direction I didn't expect. It was with a business executive who wasn't Catholic and had little apparent interest in the Catholic faith. But as we spoke, it occurred to me to invite my new friend to visit an adoration chapel. What would happen there? I spoke of my own experience. You let God fill your mind with whatever he wants. And you may not even know that he's talking to you. You may not recognize a single thing from God in that moment. But throughout the day, he's going to have other people talk to you. And it is going to blow you away. You'll think, where did that come from? And you're going to know: it could only have come from God. And that's what you need to know: not your ways but God's ways. God's ways are di‹erent from our ways. It doesn't matter where you come from, who you're married to, what your belief system is. You're going to go into adoration and you're going to feel God's presence in a way you've never felt it before — whether you believe it or not. Because he's there, whether you like it or not. My friend expressed interest in going, so I o‹ered the address of an adoration chapel and how to get in. Our conversation was a continual reduction of barriers. You see, our job as Catholics is to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Then it's up to them and Jesus what they do with that relationship. Another person I know walked into an adoration chapel for the first time, sat down and just started crying. And couldn't stop crying because that person had never felt that kind of love before. It's a simple invitation: come meet Jesus Christ. He's in this chapel. Come sit and be loved for as long as you want to be loved. Come be in the presence of God. He'll wrap his arms around you and love you in a way you've never experienced. I would compare adoration to Con- fession. When I walk into adoration, it's like walking out of Confession. I feel rejuvenated, forgiven, loved. There are many guides for praying in adoration before the Blessed Sacra- ment, or in making a Holy Hour. Here's my method: beg the Lord for mercy. Ask him for what you want. Thank him for what you have. Then be quiet and listen. Spend time with Our Lord in adora- tion, then share that experience with others. Invite them to experience the gift of Jesus Christ. It's like Christmas every day of the year. Guest Column Larry Smith is the president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver. Visit online at ccdenver. org or call 303-742-0828 to learn more, volunteer or make a donation. LARRY SMITH

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