2 minute read
Our Church Cleaning Crew: Keeping God’s House Safe
It’s probably safe to say that most of us have spent more time cleaning and disinfecting our home and work environments in the past few months than we normally do. Tasks that we once took for granted — getting the mail, grocery shopping, touching a door knob or elevator button — are now an occasion to bring out the disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer. It’s no different here in our church.
“We want people to be able to come, and worship, and feel safe — that’s a big thing,” says parishioner Dian Burroughs.
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Dian helps coordinate the dedicated group of parishioners who volunteer every week as our church cleaners, working hard to keep our parish environment clean and safe for our community to pray and attend Mass.
“I want God’s house to be peaceful, orderly and clean,” she says.
Even before the pandemic, this group took time each week to clean the church, the lanai, and the bathrooms. During the time when the church was closed to the public, a few members of the group came by to ensure that things were kept up. And since the re-opening of the church and return to public Masses, the cleaning group has been busier than ever.
“After every Mass, we’ll go ahead and wipe down all the pews, everything people might touch, all the door handles, wipe down all the bathrooms, and spray everything,” Dian says. “The church has really never been cleaner!”
From vacuuming and cleaning windows, to taking out trash and ensuring everything is disinfected, these tasks make it possible for parishioners to pray in a safe and clean environment. Dian, whose favorite task is cleaning the bathrooms, sees her service as an opportunity to serve God and her brothers and sisters in Christ. She keeps this in mind as she goes about her work.
“I always say in the back of my mind, ‘We don’t know if angels are coming here using the bathroom, so I better make it clean,’” Dian says. “Or what if Jesus showed up, and I don’t know because He’s in disguise? Sometimes if I want to skip something in the bathroom, I think, ‘Maybe Jesus will come in — I’m not going to skip that part.’”
For someone who enjoys serving “behind the scenes,” becoming involved with the church cleaners is the perfect ministry.
“This is where I’m more comfortable,” Dian says. “I don’t want to be in the spotlight so much — I like to be in the background, doing the grungy work. If you’re shy, this is a great ministry to be in and it doesn’t take long at all. It’s so simple.”
Dian encourages her fellow parishioners to consider serving as part of the cleaning crew. Especially with the new cleaning protocols, additional help is greatly appreciated. Parishioners are also encouraged to donate cleaning supplies such a disinfectant wipes and sprays, if possible.
“I think for the most part people are so grateful, they know we wipe things down and we keep things clean and they’re grateful for that,” Dian says.
“It makes me feel good to keep it clean, so it’s a win-win situation,” she adds. “The parishioners feel good, and I feel good because I’m serving.”
