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From the Pastor...
What can we do to keep current members and potential new members active and enthused about Church, being disciples of Christ, a servant community and wanting to worship God together with us on Sundays? It's more than music and preaching. It's first and foremost about our attitude. It's so easy to put blame on this or that according to personal taste. But people aren't going to come or stay around even if everything is four-star and just perfect. Here are some questions for all of us to reflect on.
#1) Do we make a fuss over newcomers? Do we ever go out of our way to introduce ourselves to people we don't know? Christianity is a community religion...it's us and God...not just me and God. Do we try to integrate newcomers into the community? If I was a single person attending St. John's, would you welcome me and invite me to join you for coffee/donuts?
#2) Our address and phone number is in the yellow pages. Do we go out of our way in the neighborhood to tell new neighbors about St. John's? Outreach is a gospel mandate. Have you ever invited someone to come to church with you? Or, do we let people do the searching?
#3) We've always done it this way! False! Maybe one generation did it this way, but the Church is always changing to meet the needs of parishioners. In this age of two-working parents, what could change to help young parents get to church? Could we "sacrifice" our agenda for the common good?
#4) Are we child-friendly? Children have needs too. Do we get involved in the parish school or the school of religion for kids in public school? Are we willing to throw in a few extra bucks in the collection knowing that it will make a difference in the budget and help our programs for the little ones? Would you work in the nursery once a year?
#5) Let someone else do it. We have many parishioners who are living alone. Do we care if they are lonely? When a parishioner dies, even if we don't know them, do we help by supporting the funeral lunch with a dish or cash contribution. Let the same folks do the work, be it a funeral or visiting the sick and dying. All of us are called to be a "caring community."
#6) When people leave, do we care? Some parishioners die and others move away. But what about others who leave because they didn't feel the rest of us cared whether they were here or not? True, we can't please everyone, but why do people leave and never return?
#7) Let someone else pay for it. Right now, our parish financial belt is tightened as much as it can be. We are building a new center that will have a nursery and pre-school. Is it wrong to ask everyone to give and support in whatever ways they can? Kids don't have disposable cash to give, but they will profit in many ways. Do we expect their parents to pay as they go? Who built the parish school that educated your children? The parish, of course. All of us are better off because of sacrifices made 30, 40, 50 years ago. People without children helped to have a school built. People who never lived to celebrate in this church helped pay for it. Do we only contribute if it's in our own good and for our own best interests?
#8) Don't upset me or mine. Some people are angry over issues that upset them years ago. A certain priest or Sister did something to upset their kids or themselves. They won't support the parish... ."I'll show them." Is that what Christianity is all about? Can we "get over" it?
#9) Never give thanks to those who work hard for the parish. This year the Fall Festival was extremely successful; probably the best ever. A handful of folks made this possible for the good of the parish. Some people step forward to teach religion or minister at Mass. Do we ever thank those who give freely of their time and energy? If we take people for granted, once they leave, who is going to do the work of the parish? Giving thanks is so important.
#10) The parish is here for you when you need it. Are you here when the parish needs you? St. John's is not a club. We are a faith community; willing to give our very best to God and one another.
#11) Attitude! Attitude? As the song says: "I've got a new attitude!"
Fr. Bill
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