When you think of attending a local fair, you probably imagine carnival rides, demolition derbies, funnel cakes, and live music. But a group of parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis sought to create a different kind of presence: Catholic evangelization.
At the Washington Town & Country Fair from August 5-9, Father Ryan Truss set up a makeshift confessional near the “Washington Catholics” booth, a joint effort of several parishes in Washington and surrounding areas. Parishioners helped staff the booth, offering rosaries, holy cards and other religious items and sacramentals, along with a Catholic-themed photo booth.
“It was successful beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Father Truss, associate pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Washington. “Lots of people turned out to come to confession at the fair.” Father Truss said the sacrament drew a large number of young people, which he credited to personal invitations.
Father Truss heard many confessions during the fair’s evening concerts, often shouting to be heard over the music. By Sunday morning, he had lost much of his voice. He joked with parishioners at Sunday Mass that his hoarse voice was the result of “yelling at sinners in confession.” Click here to read more from the St. Louis Review.
Catholic evangelization also made an appearance at the Missouri State Fair. On August 16, Bishop Ralph O’Donnell of the Diocese of Jefferson City celebrated Mass at the fair. Another Mass is planned for this Sunday, August 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Touchstone Energy Tent Stage. Click here for more information.