Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I have not been to a movie theater for over a year. Although I have no idea what movies are in the theaters, I can’t wait to go to a movie.

What are you going to do now that you are vaccinated? Go to Disney World? Throw a cook-out for the neighborhood? Attend a graduation ceremony? Take a cruise?

Here’s my top three list of three things to do now that you are vaccinated.

1. Hug someone. They say that the Five Languages of Love are words of appreciation, gifts, deeds of service, time with another, and touch, as in Hug. If we learned one thing from our isolation is that we don’t like being isolated. No greater authority than God himself said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:5). No argument from me. Hug someone hard.

2. Volunteer. Service organizations like Life Choices Medical Clinic, the Sharing Center, and Shepherd’s Hope rely on volunteers. When community services have been needed most, volunteers have been scarcer than toilet paper. The V in Vaccination stands for Volunteer.

3. Bring someone to Alpha. Nativity Catholic Church is starting an 8-week Alpha series on the Tuesday after Easter Sunday. We’ll start the evening with Chick-Fil-A dinner followed by a video on the topic, “Is There More to Life Than This?” The second half of the evening is talking in tables about the topic.

The key word here is “bring.” Would a lifeguard invite a floundering swimmer, “If you feel like it, grab my hand.” Or rather command, “Grab my hand NOW!”?

Ask a friend or family member who has not been to Mass since the pandemic, “I’m interested in this Alpha thing at church on Tuesday evening. Would you come with me?” You might get a firm No. You might get a firm Maybe. There is a remote chance that your friend or relative might say, “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

One thing I can guarantee you is that they will not come on their own. Who likes to show up at a gathering where they might not know anyone?

Tell them there is no commitment, just come and see. No sign up, just show up, together.

There are 8 evenings in total. If you all decide to come back but can’t make every evening, that’s okay. Check out a 3-minute video at https://nativity.org/alpha.

Sorry, no childcare available. Masks and COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

The Alpha series starts Tuesday, April 6, from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Nativity Parish Center. I’ll be there. I hope to see you there, too.

Blessed Easter,

Father David