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Dear Dr. Savant,

We thought about reaching out to the Catholic community in our city by holding a huge barbecue potluck dinner at our church to celebrate the end of lent. Do you have any suggestions to make this a great SE event?

--John Baptiste

Kansas City, MO

Dear John,

I have one really big suggestion:  DON'T DO IT! 

First of all, maybe I am reading too much between the lines, but your suggestion seems to indicate that you feel the need to evangelizes Catholics.  That thin theological ice you are standing is not made from frozen Holy Water. 

These folks are just finishing up lent and i don't think it will go over as you intend--even if you mean no harm, it might come across as a slap in the face.  First of all, I have a number of Catholic friends that actually take this time of sacrifice and reflection very seriously and to make light of might not go over very well.  Secondly, you approach seems more like reaching in than reaching out, if you want to touch folks in your community go out in serve them with kindness, don't invite them to your church basement.  thirdly, what makes you think you could possibly top the wonderful Fish Fries they have been doing for the last few weeks?  I am sure the folks of your church are wonderful cooks, but I doubt they can even touch the level and quality that our Catholic friends have become masters at.  They wrote the book on hospitality and service.

In my mind the only thing worse than doing an event like this would be to reach out to the Jewish community with an outdoor bonfire and pig roast at the close of Passover.

--Dr. Savant

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