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The following is a post from contributing writer Dianna Kennedy.
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Whether you belong to a small church or a huge parish, participation from members is vital for growth and sustainability. Having the same people doing all the things, all the time gets stale quickly.
How do you get involved in your parish?
1. Pray
For someone with a choleric temperament like myself, this is something I’ve only learned to do in the past few years. I have a tendency to jump in with both feet, not realizing until later that it was a bad fit for me.
Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance toward areas that work well for you.
2. Have the right attitude
We are all recipients of different gifts. Trust me, you don’t want to hear me singing in the choir, but I’m able and willing to man a booth at the church Picnic.
Take an honest look at your God given attributes, and think about how you can use them best. Have a gift for public speaking? Sign up for Lector training. Enjoy the great outdoors? Become a part of the grounds committee, cutting grass and planting flowers.
3. Read the bulletin
The next time you’re at Mass, take a look at the bulletin. You’ll see upcoming events and calls to action for ministries who need help.
4. Call the office
Be brave – give the parish office a call. There may be areas that need help that haven’t made it into the bulletin.
5. Check the web
Does your parish have a website? Check there for ideas or needs.
6. Start your own idea
Do you have an idea for a ministry? Call up the office or talk to your priest.
7. Grab a friend
Having someone with you can help you take the first step. Ask a friend to attend a meeting with you. Sign your husband up to work the chili supper alongside you.
8. Apply for parish council
I was asked by our former priest to take a position on our parish council. I’ll be honest – if I hadn’t been asked specifically, I probably wouldn’t have volunteered of my own accord. Being involved with the council means that I hear about all the different ministries and opportunities. I’ve met many different people and made connections all throughout our community.
9. Search the directory
Most parishes have a directory of ministries, either online or in print. Check this out and see what appeals to you. It may be referred to as ‘opportunities for time and talent’, or ‘stewardship opportunities’.
10. Just do it!
The first step is always the hardest – find something that catches your eye, and give it a try!
Do you have ideas about how to get involved? Be sure and share them in the comment box!
This post will be linked up to: Homemaking Mondays, Better Mom Mondays, Motivate Me Monday, Top Ten Tuesdays, Works for Me Wednesday, The Mommy Club, Soli Deo Gloria, Jump Tandem, Sunday Snippets, Spiritual Sundays, Hear it on Sunday, Playdates with God, Titus 2sday, On Your Heart Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesdays, Gratituesday, Word Filled Wednesdays, Walk With Him Wednesdays, and Good Morning Girls.
Dianna is the Catholic Queen Bee over at The Kennedy Adventures, where she recently welcomed Baby 5.0 along with the return of her running gig. You can find her writing for The Homeschool Classroom, hanging out on Facebook and Twitter, and working on becoming a power pinner on Pinterest.
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I have always been involved with the parishes that I have been a member of. It seems that I, personally, get more out of it. I don’t want to be one of these “Sunday only Catholics” or the “Christmas or Easter Catholics.” I have met so many new people and love it.
When I was younger, I was either singing in the choir or up on the altar as an altar server. I loved it. Then, I started reading at Masses.
Now, that I am married and have children, it is even more important that I (and my husband) are involved in our Parish in some way. I am in the Madonna and Child Guild (for mothers of young children). I was a teacher at one point (they stopped the 2-3 year old program). And, now, after a year of figuring out that voice in the back of my head, I am a Eucharistic Minister.
I love being a part of my church other than just another body in the congregation. I highly recommend it to everyone. It nice to see that familiar face at a church function or while running errands in town. Being a mom is hard enough; making friends who share the same values as you shouldn’t be on that list.
Heather,
Thanks for your comments!
I offered up some ideas for folks who might be having trouble getting started with getting involved. For some people, they might be introverts, or just feel more welcome if someone invites them to help. I’ve found that once I get the ball rolling, being a part of the parish becomes second nature. It sounds like you’re the same sort of personality as myself.
Making friends with the same values CAN be tough — even if you’re involved in parish life. I’ve ran across many folks that, while professing to be Catholic, aren’t solid on our Catholic teaching and values.