After many weeks of online or outdoor Masses due to the statewide stay at home order, parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church in Wilmington were anxious to return to liturgy in their church.
“It was great to see everyone walking in,” said Father John McGee, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church (ICC). “The conversations and the talking and the desire to get back to the Eucharistic table was beyond all telling.”
In anticipation of the first indoor Mass, households were invited to participate in a creative project called “Be Attitudes.”
Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, a nationally recognized artist, writer and speaker, made available a selection of “Be-Attitudes” coloring sheets for personal reflection and prayer. These were posted on the parish website, and everyone was encouraged to choose one that spoke to them. What did they need most during this difficult time? What did they want others to remember? What did they want to celebrate? After coloring their page in the style and with the medium of their choosing, they were invited to sign their name on the bottom and mail it in. Each submitted work of art was displayed in the church as a vibrant and joyful way to welcome everyone back to church.
“The people, young, old and in between, couldn’t believe how beautiful the coloring pages looked; it was like being in an art gallery,” reflected Father John. “Parishioners were looking for their page and trying to count the number of pages that were the same. The beatitudes during this pandemic have taken hold! St. Francis de Sales reminds us, ‘hearts speak to hearts,’ and many hearts spoke here at ICC.”