Muscatine, IA – For the second consecutive year, Catholic churches from across Muscatine County have set up a booth at the Muscatine County Fair, reflecting a unified effort to increase their visibility and engage with the local community.
The decision to participate in the fair emerged from a collective desire among the county’s Catholic parishes to enhance their outreach. According to organizers, the initiative stemmed from a need to not only bolster their presence but also to experiment with new methods of community interaction. “The Catholic Churches in Muscatine County wanted to do some more outreach and increase our visibility,” explained Fr. Isaac Doucette, Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary and Mathias Catholic Parish in Muscatine, Iowa. “We decided on a booth at the county fair because it attracts a large number of people from across the county.”
The strategic choice to combine resources for a single booth was driven by the idea of showcasing unity while maintaining individual parish identities. “We came together because we knew that many parishioners from our churches would be attending the fair. It allowed us to present a unified front for the Catholic Church in Muscatine County, while still preserving the individuality of each parish,” Fr. Doucette added.
Organizing and managing the booth is a collaborative effort among the parishes, St. Mary and Mathias Parish in Muscatine, St. Joseph Parish in West Liberty, and St. Mary in Wilton. Each day of the fair is assigned to a specific parish, which simplifies scheduling and staffing. This approach has proven effective in coordinating volunteer shifts without the complexities of a single, unified scheduling system.
Interactions at the booth vary from casual conversations to more meaningful exchanges. Visitors often stop by simply because they notice the booth, while others, including parishioners, use the opportunity to reconnect. Some attendees request prayers for personal intentions, turning the booth into a space for both social engagement and spiritual support. “The interactions are mostly social, providing initial touchpoints for evangelization,” Fr. Doucette noted.
The booth offers various free items such as finger rosaries, prayer cards, and informational flyers about each parish, including contact details and mass times. Despite the free nature of the items, the goal is not just to distribute materials but to foster genuine connections and discussions about faith.
One memorable interaction involved meeting a woman who had recently moved to the area. She was excited to receive a local parish bulletin and learn more about the community. Another interaction involved a meeting of a grandmother and her grandchildren, who were visiting from another county. The grandchildren, all boys, attended a Catholic high school, prompting a discussion about the priesthood and the role of Catholic education. “It was heartening to connect with them through their school and to offer a tangible witness to the priesthood,” Fr. Doucette recalled.
The presence at the fair underscores the importance of outwardly displaying one’s faith. “Having a relationship with God and loving Him is a starting point, but it’s not the end. We allow that love to extend to others and live out our faith visibly,” Fr. Doucette explained. “Virtue requires interaction with others, and displaying our faith outwardly is part of the mission Christ gave us. The laity’s role is to sanctify the world from within, and participating in events like the fair helps achieve that.”
Participating in the fair also impacts the faith of those involved. It encourages parishioners to step outside their usual routines and engage with people from diverse backgrounds. “It helps everyone get out of themselves and focus on others,” Fr. Doucette said. “Walking with people through their trials often means stepping away from Christ initially. However, at the right time, we invite them to turn back toward Jesus with us.”
As the Muscatine County Fair continues to draw crowds, the Catholic churches’ presence is a testament to their commitment to community engagement and spiritual outreach. Through such initiatives, they aim not only to connect with existing members but also to invite new individuals to explore their faith.
