The image of a family is a popular way of looking at a parish community -- our parish family. It is a helpful perspective beyond the spiritual reality that we are all sisters and brothers in Christ. What aspect of domestic family life (good and bad) cannot be found in some way in the life of a parish community? Hopefully, the good qualities and experiences define the life of our parish family. But of course, just as in any family, there are also occasions of misunderstanding, disagreement, discord, and insensitivity.

 

One of the tenets of a healthy family life is that everyone works together; each member sharing in the work that needs to be done, according to their abilities and gifts. Wouldn’t it be odd to just show up for meals? What if I but rarely did anything to help with the tasks of a household? What if I gave up my responsibility as a parent to help raise my children? The life of the family might limp along, but it is far less likely to prosper. And so it is in a parish. There are a myriad of ways that each one of us can contribute to the life of our parish family and its work in our community. We give for the benefit of others, and in the end it is good for us, too.

 

Allow me to shine a spotlight on one arena of our parish family life that needs…well, you. Our worship is at the heart of our parish life. When we worship well, we not only give the best we can to God, but we are renewed, inspired, nourished, touched and challenged. In our parish with five weekend Masses and 10 weekday liturgies each week, to worship well means that many people have to exercise their gifts. Just being present and actively entering into the prayer of the Mass is a key component. But would you also consider exercising your gifts to shoulder some of the joyful work of our worship? Think of the opportunities: ministries of hospitality (greeter and usher), music, lector, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, server, sacristan, art and environment, movement, and more. Most of these ministries have significant needs right now.

 

Many of us have been gifted with talents and skills that can be fruitfully applied in these ministries. Our parish family needs what each of us has to share that we may flourish. And know that when you join a ministry you are not signing up for life. And there are some opportunities for flexibility in scheduling. There are also opportunities for family members to serve together. Picture this: a family greeting worshipers as they arrive at the Church. How wonderful would that be? Or consider a parent and child serving together at altar.

 

Pray about the ways God calls you to serve our parish family. But don’t only pray…come on and help.

 

 

 

David Suddjian

Liturgy Coordinator