August 29, 2019

UPDATED: Hundreds attend Seventh Annual Faith on Fire Rally at local parish

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Nick Morganelli

Dan and Julie Prats pose with Jean Raczkowski (center), one of Friday’s presenters at the Faith on Fire Rally.

FEEDING HILLS – The Seventh Annual Faith on Fire Rally took place at Sacred Heart Church in Feeding Hills for two consecutive nights, Aug. 22 and 23. Hundreds from area churches attended for worship music and inspiring witness talks.

Synergy Praise was among the groups performing the music for this year’s event and attendees were given a book of lyrics to encourage them to sing along. Some even danced and raised their hands in praise. Other musical performers included Jack Yourous and St. Cecilia’s Praise and Worship Youth Band. 

Various groups offered spiritual literature and there was a book sale inside the parish center. The Q 99.7, the local Christian radio station, attended on Friday with their prize wheel for all to spin. Faith on Fire committee members, the parish’s St. Martha’s Guild, and the Knights of Columbus Council 5585 of Agawam offered food and beverages for purchase, which helped support the event and the community, as well as a free-will offering.

The event livestreamed from several cameras and could be seen around the world.

Faith on Fire was coordinated by Pete and Deb Briancesco. Deb Briancesco is the pastoral minister of Sacred Heart Church. She opened the evening by calling on attendees saying, “Invite him into your heart and into your life.” The Briancescos spoke of the Holy Spirit’s presence the previous night and said that those attending for the second evening would be blessed as well.

The evening culminated with a procession of the Holy Eucharist, confession, and laying on of hands for healing and prayer. 

Dan and Julie Prats were witness speakers the first year and have been involved every year since. They agreed that through this ministry and others that have come out of this event, it has helped keep their marriage spiritually strong, especially because they work on this event together. This year, they helped in the planning and execution.

“It fills us every year and puts a fire in our hearts and in those that attend,” said Julie Prats. Dan agreed that the name “Faith on Fire” is very appropriate. 

Jean Raczkowski, a former pastoral minister of Sacred Heart Church, came up with the idea through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to form this rally.

Julie recalled the infancy of the idea and how it was embraced by the ministry team and Dan mentioned all the hard work that goes into the rally each year. He envisions this getting large enough to fill the entire church field with attendees in the years ahead.

Here is a link to the Aug. 23 event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUkUryA2iTI

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.