By Gretchen R. Crowe
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/30/04)

A Catholic tent revival? Say what? The average run-of-the-mill Catholic might smile nervously, mutter "thanks, but no thanks," and then hit the pavement — quickly — without looking back.

But for Father Patrick Posey and the parish of St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville, a Catholic tent revival focused on evangelization was just what the community needed.

"We want people — from those who don’t come to church, to those who are lukewarm or active — to rediscover God in a personal way," said Father Posey, pastor, adding that it was a pep rally for faith.

The revival — held appropriately under a spacious, white tent — began last Saturday evening with "adult night." Mass and dinner were followed by praise and worship music, and internationally acclaimed Catholic lay evangelist speaker Greg Trainer.

Nearly 250 people gathered "under the tent" to hear Trainer speak on adult evangelization.

"Trainer preached a very basic message of the Gospel," said Joe Cuerto, chair of St. Francis’ Evangelization Committee. "At the end he encouraged people to follow Christ and begin their journey. He mixed humor with the message and challenged ‘Sunday Christians’ to do more."

Father Posey told the story of a man who had fallen away from the faith and who did not want to be connected with the Church in any way, yet — for some reason — agreed to listen to Trainer speak. At the end of his talk, Trainer invited those who wished to recommit themselves to God to stand up. The man was among the 200 faithful who stood.

Father Posey said that story illustrated the whole point of the revival.

"We’re trying to reach out to those who have fallen away over time or who are searching but haven’t been invited," he said. "We’re inviting. If that one sheep comes back, then it’s worth it."

On Sunday’s "teen night," the parish welcomed youths from all over the diocese for a barbeque and music, performed by St. Francis’ very own band Witness. Teens sang and danced routines they had made up in June at WorkCamp before settling down to listen to evangelist speaker Jim Beckman, who traveled from Colorado for this event.

"God wants to reincarnate your world — to come into your life and make a difference," he told the youths and families gathered. "I believe that tonight it’s possible."

Using anecdotes from his own life, Beckman described "holy moments" — quiet seconds of time where God is clearly present.

"For every single one of you there are going to be all kinds of opportunities in your life when God is going to crash into your world," he said. "He’s going to keep knocking on your door saying, ‘I want to be a part of your life.’ Maybe you’re at the beginning of your holy moment."

After the talk, the teens left feeling energized.

"When people talk about God it gets me pumped up," said Jim Clark, a parishioner at St. Francis. "It showed how many people really believe."

Erin Clark agreed and said the event was "upliftling.

"I could really understand what he was talking about," she said.

Sunday evening closed with the usual 6 p.m. Teen Mass, followed by an ice cream social. The revival ended Monday night with a healing service.

Following this kick-off weekend, St. Francis’ evangelization effort will continue with the Alpha Program, a program geared toward people interested in learning more about Christianity. The program is meant to "get people excited again about who they are as Catholics, as Christians," Cuerto said. "The goal is for people to go back to work and start talking about Jesus."

And what better place to be inspired than at a pep rally for faith.