Do You Volunteer Around Your Parish?

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1287419885' post='2180387']


In my faith development and formation class, I read from one of our textbooks how one DRE wouldn't let any parents register their kids for CCD before they signed up to volunteer for something. She said people didn't always follow through though. When I officially work for the Church, I want to do that and have to think of ways to make sure that that they're accountable for. I may have to call them or firmly but lovingly confront them.
[/quote]

That is one way to ensure that families go to the church down the road for CCD.

[tinytherese]

[quote name='Brother Adam' timestamp='1287420250' post='2180390']
That is one way to ensure that families go to the church down the road for CCD.
[/quote]

I figured that there would be a catch. One more thing from that class that I need to discard. In one of my textbooks about family catechesis it said that the greatest thing a parent can give to their child is self-esteem.

[TeresaBenedicta]

I've found that asking for one or two specific commitments tends to get more participation from parents. For example, I couldn't find anyone to volunteer as our hall monitor during CCD on Sunday mornings. So I made up a sheet and asked each parent to sign up for one or two weekends. I have the entire year filled now.

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1287422529' post='2180406']
I figured that there would be a catch. One more thing from that class that I need to discard. In one of my textbooks about family catechesis it said that the greatest thing a parent can give to their child is self-esteem.
[/quote]

Oh. I thought it was Jesus.

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1287426350' post='2180423']
I've found that asking for one or two specific commitments tends to get more participation from parents. For example, I couldn't find anyone to volunteer as our hall monitor during CCD on Sunday mornings. So I made up a sheet and asked each parent to sign up for one or two weekends. I have the entire year filled now.
[/quote]

For me that works well for retreats.

[let_go_let_God]

Also don't be afraid to ask if there are some jobs that may not be listed. Many times parishes will have a list of jobs that need to be done that can't currently be tackled by the staff. It might be mowing the parish yard, cleaning gutters, taking a moment to visit shut in parishioner, or counting the collection. Also befriend the parish secretary and you may find other positions.

God bless-
LGLG

[MissScripture]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1287375470' post='2180295']
Thanks for the responses Littleflower, joyful, ice, Kaffka, Cath. :] I like the idea of helping out with the youth group or the gift shop, but this parish seems sort of rich and small. I dont even think it has a youth group! But even if its just raking up leaves around the Church or handing out bulletins on Sunday, that would be cool. I don't want it to interfere with school right now. Will definitely pray about it
[/quote]
If you can't do anything else, you could always pray...though you should probably do that anyway... *makes a mental note to remember to pray for the parish*

[LaPetiteSoeur]

You can:

join the choir
be a lector
be a eucharistic minister
be an usher
be part of a handy man crew (my father, who never fixes things, has been turned into Mr. Fix-it since he joined...)
be part of SVdP
join the prolife group
Teach religious education
Help out the youth group

Great people to befriend:

The pastor (obviously)
the substitute priests
the sisters
the secretary
The secretary's assistant
the pastoral assistants (like me!)

Ask, and you shall recieve. There's always something for someone to do at a Catholic Church!

Let us know how the search goes!