“Priests on the Porch” outreach helps people stay connected
The St. Peter Rectory stands along a busy Broadway bypass for eastbound travelers during construction at the State Capitol.
Father Jeremy Secrist and Father Basil Tigga, pastor and associate pastor of St. Peter parish in Jefferson City, are taking turns from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, welcoming visitors to the spacious, open-air, front porch of their home.
From a safe distance, they provide listening ears, words of encouragement, blessings, spiritual reading and the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick for those who need it.
They call it “Priest on the Porch.”
“It’s been a good way for us to continue to be present to people during this time when we’re required to be socially distant,” said Fr. Secrist.
Visitors have ranged from prayer-seekers to penitents to people just saying hello on the way into church to pray.
Some have made it an occasion to drop off their contribution envelopes.
“We’ve also had some great conversations with people who happen to be walking down the sidewalk,” said Fr. Secrist.
He got the idea for “Priest on the Porch” the night Bishop W. Shawn McKnight instructed parishes to live-stream their Masses, cancel public events and promote proper social distancing in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“I figured this would be a good way to be present to people who are feeling anxious and isolated,” said Fr. Secrist.
He noted that the rectory porch is “very public, with lots of fresh air and plenty of space for the 6-foot distance recommended by the CDC.”
It’s also historical: the late Monsignor Joseph Selinger, who was pastor from 1904-34, stood on the same porch on Feb. 5, 1911, blessing firefighters who were responding to the fire that destroyed the old Capitol.
Fr. Secrist said he can’t help but think of the First Reading from the Mass for Ash Wednesday, in which the Prophet Joel proclaims: “Between the porch and the altar, let the priests weep, let the ministers of the Lord weep and say: ‘Spare Your people, Lord!’” (Joel 2:17)
“We’re certainly at a time like that here in this country,” said Fr. Secrist. “Maybe it will help to know that there is a priest out here, on the front porch, and that he’s still praying and offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the needs of the people.”
He said this is just one piece of how the entire parish community — lay and ordained — must work together to continue announcing Christ’s presence throughout this critical time in history.
“This is part of our whole parish trying to ‘think outside the box’ and respond to the needs that are right in front of us right now,” he said.
“We are all members of the one Body of Christ,” he stated, “and each and every one of us has a vital role to play in contributing to the overall health and wellbeing of the Church.”
Reactions to “Priest on the Porch” on social media have been positive.
“Way to step up!” Shawn Bailes posted on Facebook. “I’m extremely grateful to have access to a sacrament, especially in this time of need.”
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” stated Sallie Keeney. “Great idea!”
All who hunger
Fr. Secrist said people who visit the porch also minister to him and Fr. Tigga.
Several visitors have expressed confidence that this time of pause and separation will help people refocus their priorities.
Fr. Secrist agrees with those who say being physically separated from Mass for a time will lead to a greater hunger and appreciation for the Eucharist among the faithful.
“There is definitely a growing intensification of their love of the Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist,” the priest stated. “I see people coming to church for Adoration. I see people coming to pray the Stations of the Cross, to pray the Rosary and do their spiritual reading in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament.”
He hopes that during the extra time many people are spending at home, they are seizing the opportunity to intensify, reexamine and rediscover their need for daily personal prayer.
“Another thing that keeps coming up in conversations on the porch is how families are rediscovering what it means to share a meal together at home and play card games and spend time together,” he said.
He emphasized that especially in uncertain times, it’s important for people throughout the diocese to make use of whatever opportunities are available in their parish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
He believes that when it’s finally possible to celebrate Mass publicly again, “there will be such thanksgiving, such utter gratitude for being able to pray together and encounter the Lord sacramentally among the People of God.”
In the meantime, he echoed St. Paul’s insistence that absolutely nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 8:39).
