Your Parish Needs You

“Your parish needs you.”

Are you the person who slips into mass as the priest is processing in and out of mass as the recessional song is ending? Or do you hang out in the community center enjoying donuts and coffee with your fellow parishioners? Do you get involved in other ministries such as the Mom’s Group, a weekly rosary, a bible study, or help with cleaning around the parish?

It’s amazing how many different ministries parishes can offer. There’s something for every type of person, and they’re all beautiful, fruitful, and help you join in with your parish community.

I’ll tell you what an amazing feeling it is to be leaving the sanctuary after mass and hearing your name called, followed by, “How are you doing?” It always makes me smile when I see people I know and who know me. It’s not just the plastered on, fake smile one uses at the grocery store when the self-checkouts are closed, but one of real joy.

The highlight of my week truly is milling around after mass, a doughnut in hand, saying hi to everyone. I tell the priest that his homily was incredible, I tell the cantor that I loved the psalm for the day. I say hi to the kids and families who know me from youth ministry.

The Bible says: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20 RSVCE)

There are so many ministries that love to welcome newcomers, people who are seeking out their faith with the intent to deepen it.

These groups are an outlet to share your faith and learn more about it at the same time, while also doing things for others. Such as those who make sandwiches for homeless shelters. Or who knows, your insight on the book Leviticus could be enlightening to someone in your bible study group. Joining a ministry is a two way street. You’re helping out the group(s) you join, and they’re helping out you. You both learn from each other.

There are also so many accessible groups for children to join. Many churches offer children who have had their first communion to be altar servers, there are youth bible studies, and faith formation and youth group programs. Even if your church doesn’t offer these ministries, chances are there is a church nearby that does.

Some common ministries include:

• Bible Study (Youth and Adult): Bible studies are commonly offered for both youth and adult ages, and are typically tailored to the age group.

• Altar Servers: Altar servers typically range from those who have just received first communion to eighteen year olds. They assist the celebrant before, after, and during mass.

• Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic adoration is sustained prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and if your church has a perpetual adoration chapel, you could likely sign up for an hour each week.

• Eucharistic Ministers: Distribute the Eucharist at mass.

• Lectors: Read the readings during mass.

• Marriage Preparation: Marriage preparation is exactly that, preparing an engaged couple for a faithful marriage.

• Meal Ministry: Making meals for homeless shelters.

• Men’s Ministry: A ministry for men.

• Mom’s Ministry: A ministry for moms.

• Music Ministry: If there are enough involved, the music ministry is the church choir, but in most cases they are the cantors and or/musicians.

• Prayer Chain Ministry: In most cases an email/text chain of prayer requests.

• RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (also known as OCIA: Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is teaching those adults who want to become Catholic what Catholicism is and how to be an active part of the Catholic church.

• Ushers: Ushers open the doors during mass, hand out collection baskets, and occasionally they process the gifts to the altar.

• Youth Ministry: Teaching elementary school through high school about the Catholic faith.

The parish community is where the Church is. It is where saints are formed in faith, hope, and charity. They’re not only the house of the Lord, but the home of the people.

YOUR CHALLENGE TODAY: Find a ministry in your parish that interests you. Learn more about it, and when they ask you if you’d like to join them for their meeting next week, don’t say no unless you have a legitimate reason.