Faith in Focus: Return to Ministry

Our parish continues to emerge from the pandemic with each liturgy and gathering we share. Next week will be another milestone as we gather for our annual parish picnic because we will also be hosting for the first time since 2018 the Ministry Fair: an opportunity to engage in the kaleidoscope of ministries that make up our community.

You likely have heard our presiders say from the pulpit “Liturgy is not a spectator sport” - meaning, when we come to Mass together, it is not to passively watch. Rather, our presence as the Body of Christ is central and essential to the mysteries we embody at the Eucharistic Feast on Sundays.

Last week I attended a short portion of Confirmation Orientation with our Dir. of Faith Formation, Lisa Freese. Lisa described going to Mass together as our family meal (a metaphor we used a lot through our Home for Dinner year in 2018-19!). She said to our eighth-graders “When we prepare for a family meal, everyone pitches in: setting the table or making the salad, doing the dishes. We don’t just sit down and eat and leave.” We should all perceive our presence at Mass this way, not just our 7th and 8th graders!

After the pandemic, participation in Liturgical Ministry dropped by to 40%. This moment in our liturgical life together is essential - it is time for each of us to discern what gifts we will bring to the Table. Are you ready?

Our parish needs your hands and your hearts to serve as Lectors, Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers so that the sound of our prayer together is not the sound of one voice, but of many, gathering together to be blessed, broken and shared for the world in need.

You can sign up on the website, or by talking with any of the friends or family members you know who participate in parish life this way. Stay tuned to hear from parishioners about why you should serve. Come to the Table!