This Saturday (12pm – 3pm) is the Whatcom County Memorial Day Parade, an event that I absolutely love. Yes, a big part of this is because I was in Marching Band all through high school. And another big part of it is that it is hard not to love a good parade. But more than anything else, I love it because it is a huge evangelization opportunity.
This major city event goes right in front of our church, putting us front and center in the action. In previous years, I have always made a point of walking a few blocks up and a few blocks down (always in my Roman collar, of course), trying to greet parishioners and school families, sometimes spotting people who may have walked away from the Church in the last few years. Last year, I opened up the church building to anyone who wanted to come inside and look around (and there were a few who really appreciated the opportunity).
This year, I need to be at a Lummi event happening that morning (at Waypoint Park: Water Blessing at 10:00am, Canoe Landing between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm), so I cannot engage in my normal Memorial Day Parade activities.
Still, I would be nice to use the Parade as best as we can. Would you consider watching the parade from the Assumption block, to create a critical Mass of parishioners and school families?
I would also really like to keep the church open during the parade. Is there anyone willing to monitor the church from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, and invite people in as they walk by? E-mail me at frmoore@assumption.org, so I know whether this can happen or not.
Fr. Moore 