Almsgiving is often equated with donating money to those in need. But don’t overlook the gift of one’s self, said Father Leonard Andrie, pastor of St. Therese in Deephaven.
“As a pastor, I am super grateful for the parishioners that do give their time for a parish, because a parish is only as strong as the parishioners and the time that they give,” Father Andrie said.
Father Leonard Andrie
It’s not about how much talent one has, he said, but how each person can serve his or her parish. Every parish has tremendous ministries and needs, he said.
“Talk to the parishioners and figure out how you can share your time with the parish because the parish will be blessed by what you can give,” he said.
Father Andrie recently joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley to discuss giving the gift of one’s self to parish life.
To determine how to share time and talent at a parish, Father Andrie suggested people consider the types of things they enjoy doing in their free time, the types of activities they gravitate toward and “what brings you life.” That could be determined by asking friends to help identify their gifts and learning the parish’s various ministry needs, which may be listed on the parish’s website, or in a brochure or weekly bulletin.
“Pay attention to your heart and where your heart kind of jumps,” Father Andrie said, and what brings a sense of joy.
“I’d also add in your own prayers,” Father Andrie said. “What keeps popping up in your heart when you pray?”
Pay attention to that, he added, because “that’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you, and in some sense, inviting you to help with the parish in a particular way.”
Conversely, parishes can attract volunteers in a number of ways, Father Andrie said, including announcements at Mass, the parish website, needs in print form for parishioners to quickly pick up at the church, a ministry fair at the parish to facilitate conversation and learning about needs.
“I think the parish has a responsibility to communicate its needs,” he said.
Those needs typically fall into three broad categories, he said: No. 1, worshiping God, which brings liturgical needs, such as for extraordinary ministers of holy Communion; No. 2, evangelization and catechesis — education that passes the faith to the younger generation, which brings a need for catechists or teachers in their schools; and No. 3, outreach to the community, “the … love for the poor and those who are struggling a little bit more,” Father Andrie said.
To learn more about service options at a parish and how to find the best fit for interests and skills, and to hear the full interview, tune in to the 9 p.m. Sept. 2 “Practicing Catholic” show, which airs again at 1 p.m. Sept. 3 and 2 p.m. Sept. 4 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Alison Dahlman, associate director of educational quality and excellence for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who describes how her office supports Catholic schools; and Madeline Olson, assistant marriage preparation and youth ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who describes an upcoming event providing training and inspiration for catechists, core team members, small group leaders and parents.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired at:
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