I recognize and feel blessed to be in a parish that has so many activities and ministries that are offered to its people. While I see the whole picture from what goes on in the areas of liturgy, education, social justice and charitable outreach and parish life, I'm pretty sure that many of our parishioners are lacking in knowledge and appreciation and participation in some or all of these arenas that help make our parish such a good place to spend one's time, share one's talents, and grow in God's grace, love and peace. Over the next few pastor's columns, I will speak on each of these, and invite your reflection and participation, especially those who are not active beyond coming to Mass on the weekend.
I believe I'll start with liturgy, since most, if not all who are reading my pastor's column, are coming to Mass on the weekend here and see our liturgies (at least Mass) as they are offered. Mass is obviously not just what the priest does in leading the congregation in prayer and reflection of God's Word to us. It is also the efforts of the deacon, the music ministry, the lectors (who proclaim the Word), the extraordinary ministers of Communion, the ushers, the altar servers and the sacristans (who work behind the scenes), and the gift bearers, that makes our liturgies flow and go. While I am so very grateful for those who are currently serving in these various roles for Mass especially those who have been doing it a long time, I recognize that we have many more who have the gifts and the physical ability to do at least one of these ministries and for various reasons are not. Besides the ushers, music ministers and deacons who are "serving" in their ministries every weekend, the other ministry positions are rotated, so one is not committed to it every weekend. I don't believe it's firstly and only if we have "enough" people to serve in these ministries, but rather it's the fact that we are all called through our baptismal commitment to active participation in the Mass with our minds, hearts and voices AND there is a ministry that is there for most of us to do. Admittedly, and not surprising, is the fact that some of our loyal lay ministers at Mass are getting up in years and will not be able at some point to continue doing the ministry. The Church, in fact, only commissions extraordinary ministers of Communion for three years at a time, in part, because it desires more people to join in this ministry and no one (besides the priest and deacon) to see their ministry as a lifelong commitment. PLEASE consider one of the liturgical ministries I have mentioned here and know that you will be properly prepared to carry on your ministry. For those who have never done a liturgical ministry, I say "jumping" in the waters of serving God is wonderful!
Call Lynne Border, Music, at 231-881-4472, Mike Garstecki, Lectors, at 922-1015, Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, at 922-3283, Ray Bertrand, Altar Servers, at 922-9339, Carol Cruz, Sacristans, at 922-1428, or Marcie Margel, Gift Bearers, at 922-9366.
I believe I'll start with liturgy, since most, if not all who are reading my pastor's column, are coming to Mass on the weekend here and see our liturgies (at least Mass) as they are offered. Mass is obviously not just what the priest does in leading the congregation in prayer and reflection of God's Word to us. It is also the efforts of the deacon, the music ministry, the lectors (who proclaim the Word), the extraordinary ministers of Communion, the ushers, the altar servers and the sacristans (who work behind the scenes), and the gift bearers, that makes our liturgies flow and go. While I am so very grateful for those who are currently serving in these various roles for Mass especially those who have been doing it a long time, I recognize that we have many more who have the gifts and the physical ability to do at least one of these ministries and for various reasons are not. Besides the ushers, music ministers and deacons who are "serving" in their ministries every weekend, the other ministry positions are rotated, so one is not committed to it every weekend. I don't believe it's firstly and only if we have "enough" people to serve in these ministries, but rather it's the fact that we are all called through our baptismal commitment to active participation in the Mass with our minds, hearts and voices AND there is a ministry that is there for most of us to do. Admittedly, and not surprising, is the fact that some of our loyal lay ministers at Mass are getting up in years and will not be able at some point to continue doing the ministry. The Church, in fact, only commissions extraordinary ministers of Communion for three years at a time, in part, because it desires more people to join in this ministry and no one (besides the priest and deacon) to see their ministry as a lifelong commitment. PLEASE consider one of the liturgical ministries I have mentioned here and know that you will be properly prepared to carry on your ministry. For those who have never done a liturgical ministry, I say "jumping" in the waters of serving God is wonderful!
Call Lynne Border, Music, at 231-881-4472, Mike Garstecki, Lectors, at 922-1015, Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, at 922-3283, Ray Bertrand, Altar Servers, at 922-9339, Carol Cruz, Sacristans, at 922-1428, or Marcie Margel, Gift Bearers, at 922-9366.