As we begin the new academic year, the topic of ministerial service pops up annually and reminds us of our ownership of our parish and church and her call to serve God.

In the United States there has been a steep decline in the volunteerism—religious and  secular—over recent years. Some of it is due to the busyness of everyday life, some of it is due to a lack of personal connection to traditional institutions, and some of it—sadly—is due to people leaving the “fulltime” practice of the faith. Church attendance is no longer what it was when I was a child (mandatory) and has become, in some ways, seasonal—meaning “we” take the summer off as faith formation classes end for the year and even youth ministry reduces itself somewhat; families going on vacation and taking extended trips causes the Sunday attendance to drop. Then there are also the CAPE Catholics with attendance on Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter, a bit of New England “humor.”  

But in recent times this “attendance issue” has even impacted the regular, ever-present  volunteers of a parish—lectors, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers and more. And this  impacts the Mass and the outreach of our parish and all parishes, it impacts the more than 2  millennia traditions of the oldest and largest faith on the planet. I would dare say that it “impacts” God.  

Without altar servers the reverent flow of the Mass is interrupted. Without Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Rite of Communion is slower and disturbs the distribution of  Holy Communion under both species. Without lectors’ fewer voices—male and female—are not heard proclaiming His Word. And without ushers the welcoming of the faithful, the collection and gifts are disorganized.

So what am I asking?  I am asking that we all stand up and do our part, after all the Mass is not a one-man show. We all have parts to play as we all gather to praise God for His goodness and favor. Ushers, altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and lay leaders to head our various ministries, from St. Elizabeth House to Feed the Hungry, to Street Sandwich  Ministry to more. From the choirs to our faith formation teachers and youth ministry  volunteers. I am asking you to please pray over and consider helping out. St. Catherine of  Siena has had a long and powerful tradition of volunteers. When visiting priest come to help out at Mass or penance services, they always comment on the life of this parish. And, most of what I mentioned above can be all accomplished while you are already here for Mass.  Talk about  two-birds-with-one-stone…

As we move more deeply into September I will be speaking at the Masses about our parish needs, and it is my hope that you will see how you might take a greater ownership and become a leader in our great parish. We have much to grateful for and of which to be proud.  

Thank you!