Parish mission to try to get people back in church (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Parish mission to try to get people back in church

9:00am Sunday 27th January 2013 in Andover

A MISSION to draw people back to church is being held by St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Andover and St John Fisher Catholic Church in Whitchurch.

The two-week parish mission starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday, 10 February.

The Sion Community Team, from Brentford in Essex, will be in the area visiting Catholic households throughout the parish and host a variety of Masses every day.

Father Austin Gurr, parish priest, said: “Christianity is really in decline.

“I think the ‘in’ word is secularization.

“There’s a need to reinvigorate people in their faith.

“It’s very easy to do, to get rather despondent, because it looks like numbers are going down.

“This is our effort in response to the Pope’s Year of Faith to have this mission.

“The first week will involve the Sion Community going around people’s homes and the second week we have the special mission services.

“The Sion Community are really inspired by the happiness that is in their sermons.

“We are also hoping the weather will help.

“However, it’s the on-going effect after the mission is over that is our main aim.

“All are very welcome, it’s not just for Catholics, it’s for everyone.”