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New Year Brings Valuable Opportunities for Involvement and Spiritual Growth
As we begin the new year, we have a valuable opportunity to reevaluate our priorities. It’s a chance to let go of the things that aren’t helping us grow to make room for things that will bring us joy. It’s easy to make resolutions about health or finances, but as Catholics, we know that our greatest fulfillment comes from our faith. With this year’s resolutions, let’s make room to grow with our parish community.
Fr. Pat, as our pastor, has a unique view of what goes into creating a vibrant parish life. It’s commonly thought that 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work and parishes are no exception. Many of us simply don’t see the extent of what needs to be done. So, as 2023 begins, Fr. Pat calls each of us to take a closer look at the needs of the parish and see where we might be able to step in.
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“The one missing piece of someone’s spirituality is often getting involved in a ministry,” Fr. Pat says. “They might be going to Mass and praying, but getting involved with something you are passionate about is crucial.”
Often the needs of the parish are things in which we are already taking part. We might be going to Mass every week and not realize that someone has been helping to prepare the altar for Mass. Sacristans serve a critical role in helping the priest celebrate Mass and it only requires staying a little bit after Mass to set up for the next Mass.
“Serving as a sacristan is a way for parishioners, out of gratitude, to serve at the Mass they attend,” Fr. Pat says. “The center of what we do is the Mass. These are things many of us take for granted, but Mass can’t happen without them.”
As a parish, Perpetual Adoration touches and blesses everything we do. It’s another place where everyone can work together to keep things going.
“It’s been proven that there are tremendous blessings on parishes and individuals who do a Holy Hour,” Fr. Pat says. “We are only one of two parishes in the diocese with Perpetual Adoration and we need parishioners to step up by signing up for an hour.”
While these opportunities are parish-wide, there are many ministries and prayer groups — such as men’s and women’s groups, ministries of service and outreach, and faith formation. For families who are involved at the school, there are boundless volunteer possibilities and ways to turn waiting time into prayer time, such as the Carpool Rosary. For parishioners who may not have children at the school but have experience teaching, the school is always looking for substitutes and is in need of your time and expertise.
In the last few years, many people took a step back for their health and safety — but the needs of the Church persist, namely, to serve one another and give praise to God. The new year is a chance to go one step further.
