Parish Community


Parish Community
I am looking at an invitation I recently received from parishioner to participate in a 5-week course, called "Crossing the Goal: Playbook of the Virtues." Haven't decided yet as there are other things on my schedule most of the time. This is, however, a good time to speak about the Parish Community, and why belonging is so very important. In our Parish (St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach, Florida) a handsome photo-book has recently been prepared and distributed to Parishioners, covering the past 90 years of parish existence. This book also contains quality photographs of many of our parishioners, perhaps even most. This photo-book is certainly a tribute to our Parish community and the many activities that have and continue to take place at St. Helen Church. We are a vibrant parish, as many parishes are in Florida. "Christ is present in the Church in an eminent way in the Eucharist, the source and summit of ecclesial life. He is really present in the celebration of the holy Sacrifice, and when the consecrated bread is kept in the tabernacle "as the spiritual heart of the religious and parish community" (Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Mysterium fidei, AAS 57 [1965], 772). Joining a Parish Community is very important as we wish to be part of this unity between God and his people. "For this reason, the Second Vatican Council recommends that "parish priests ensure that the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the center and culmination of the entire life of the Christian community" (Decr. Christus Dominus, n. 30). Without Eucharistic worship as its beating heart, the parish dries up." (From: "The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community." Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect, Congregation of the Clergy; Vat. website). Catholic people gather around the Heart of the Parish, the Blessed Sacrament, and all our activities as a Parish Community are part of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Charity and love of neighbor seeks to provide activities within a parish that bring this community closer together. For example, various outreach programs targeting the poor in the parish, the sick, the suffering. And many other activities of liturgical nature as well as those benefitting parishioners in other ways, are necessary to keep a parish active and healthy. Stewardship keeps the programs going, from the physical plant to the activities that enrich various levels of parishioners, the very young, children and teenagers, young adult, adults and the elderly. Adult Education and most parishes have ministries in such areas as: Altar Servers, Catholic Council of Women, CCD, Children's Liturgy, Choir(s), Extraordinary Ministers, Finance, Education Committees, Jail Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Lectors, Legion of Mary, Marriage Encounter, Mens Discipleship, Nursery, Nocturnal Adoration, Parish Council, Prayer Groups, Pro-Life, RCIA, Sacristans, Secular Franciscan Order, Shut-In Visitation, Seniors' Group, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ushers, and more. These are typical parish community activities (not any one parish). Such groups allow parishioners to step in and volunteer themselves by interest, expertise, and from "hey, I can do that" or "we could do it together" perspectives. These activities make a parish a family, and also it helps people to see there is more to the world than their own little activity circle, and that we have responsibilities for those we pray with. There are, however, two camps. One camp consists of those who never join in any ministry, apostolate or other group, and on the other side are people who join too many activities, burn out rather early, can't get along with people, or get a nervous breakdown. Too much is no good. So as a parishioner, join into one, two or three activities. Be part of the unity that binds our parish together. A family that prays together, stays together (works for parishes, too), and whatever you do, the parish will be grateful, and Our Lord will reward you. You will have a good time meeting other people, and sometimes life-long friendships are born right in a parish community. May you find where you can help, in your parish community God bless you! Fred Schaeffer, SFO April 20, 2010 Return to Menu

I am looking at an invitation I recently received from parishioner to participate in a 5-week course, called "Crossing the Goal: Playbook of the Virtues." Haven't decided yet as there are other things on my schedule most of the time. This is, however, a good time to speak about the Parish Community, and why belonging is so very important.

In our Parish (St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach, Florida) a handsome photo-book has recently been prepared and distributed to Parishioners, covering the past 90 years of parish existence. This book also contains quality photographs of many of our parishioners, perhaps even most. This photo-book is certainly a tribute to our Parish community and the many activities that have and continue to take place at St. Helen Church. We are a vibrant parish, as many parishes are in Florida.

"Christ is present in the Church in an eminent way in the Eucharist, the source and summit of ecclesial life. He is really present in the celebration of the holy Sacrifice, and when the consecrated bread is kept in the tabernacle "as the spiritual heart of the religious and parish community" (Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Mysterium fidei, AAS 57 [1965], 772). Joining a Parish Community is very important as we wish to be part of this unity between God and his people.

"For this reason, the Second Vatican Council recommends that "parish priests ensure that the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the center and culmination of the entire life of the Christian community" (Decr. Christus Dominus, n. 30). Without Eucharistic worship as its beating heart, the parish dries up." (From: "The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community." Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect, Congregation of the Clergy; Vat. website).

Catholic people gather around the Heart of the Parish, the Blessed Sacrament, and all our activities as a Parish Community are part of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Charity and love of neighbor seeks to provide activities within a parish that bring this community closer together. For example, various outreach programs targeting the poor in the parish, the sick, the suffering. And many other activities of liturgical nature as well as those benefitting parishioners in other ways, are necessary to keep a parish active and healthy.

Stewardship keeps the programs going, from the physical plant to the activities that enrich various levels of parishioners, the very young, children and teenagers, young adult, adults and the elderly. Adult Education and most parishes have ministries in such areas as: Altar Servers, Catholic Council of Women, CCD, Children's Liturgy, Choir(s), Extraordinary Ministers, Finance, Education Committees, Jail Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Lectors, Legion of Mary, Marriage Encounter, Mens Discipleship, Nursery, Nocturnal Adoration, Parish Council, Prayer Groups, Pro-Life, RCIA, Sacristans, Secular Franciscan Order, Shut-In Visitation, Seniors' Group, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ushers, and more. These are typical parish community activities (not any one parish). Such groups allow parishioners to step in and volunteer themselves by interest, expertise, and from "hey, I can do that" or "we could do it together" perspectives. These activities make a parish a family, and also it helps people to see there is more to the world than their own little activity circle, and that we have responsibilities for those we pray with.

There are, however, two camps. One camp consists of those who never join in any ministry, apostolate or other group, and on the other side are people who join too many activities, burn out rather early, can't get along with people, or get a nervous breakdown. Too much is no good. So as a parishioner, join into one, two or three activities. Be part of the unity that binds our parish together. A family that prays together, stays together (works for parishes, too), and whatever you do, the parish will be grateful, and Our Lord will reward you. You will have a good time meeting other people, and sometimes life-long friendships are born right in a parish community.

May you find where you can help, in your parish community
God bless you!

Fred Schaeffer, SFO
April 20, 2010

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