A disappointment and yet

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It was a disappointment to have only a few in attendance for our parish series on “The Place of Mary in the World Today”. See HERE (Please scroll down to see original post on thread.)

Some parishioners who told me they would come, did not, and some had other reasons, but I cannot deny it was sad to me to have under 20 persons, when I had hoped for at least 25. Yet, and I write this sincerely, I believe all that the Lord permits, He works unto good.

A few individuals thanked me for particular things that helped them, and for that I am most grateful, but I am also grateful for the Holy Spirit’s bringing Truth into my own life through the experience.

I had thought about recapping some of the sessions in a thread or a series of threads but I’m not sure it would be helpful. There is so much more communicated when we can come face to face with one another. Still, if there is anything you think you’d like to discuss from the sessions (see link above), please let me know.
 
The small turnout does not reflect on you, or the subject matter. You’re sowing seeds, so you have to start small. Look what Christ did with 12 people! 🙂

As an outgrowth of your series, have you considered asking the core attendants to host a travelling Mary statue (Olo Grace, or another title) in their homes for a week or two at a time? You could get together and do an “enthronement” on Friday or Saturday. That’s a devotion that’s caught on in several local parishes.

That way, you can invite the people who couldn’t make it to the series for fellowship and prayer.

Edited to add: recap away! If you have powerpoints, you can host them in places like slideshare.
 
Miserissima said:
The small turnout does not reflect on you, or the subject matter. You’re sowing seeds, so you have to start small. Look what Christ did with 12 people! 🙂

As an outgrowth of your series, have you considered asking the core attendants to host a travelling Mary statue (Olo Grace, or another title) in their homes for a week or two at a time? You could get together and do an “enthronement” on Friday or Saturday. That’s a devotion that’s caught on in several local parishes.

That way, you can invite the people who couldn’t make it to the series for fellowship and prayer.

Edited to add: recap away! If you have powerpoints, you can host them in places like slideshare.
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Dear Miserissima, and Mystical Seeker,

Thank you both for your replies to this thread. The low numbers are not a “personal” disappointment, so much as a sadness over the the lack of interest in things “spiritual” offered at the parish, compared to other things parishioners support. I was hoping more people would want to learn about Our Blessed Mother for their sake not my own. I did learn a lot in presenting the series, however, and I do love Mary even more – but so few seem interested to grow in devotion to Mary or help others to know and love her more.

If there’s a bazaar, a picnic, or some fundraiser, there will be a crowd, but at daily and Sunday Masses, Sunday Bible Studies, or events like the Rosary Rally held at our parish on Oct 13 - the number of people attending is amazingly low.

I wonder if many Catholics think they know enough about their faith and/or are content with their spiritual lives as they are. There just seems to be so little interest in doing “Something beautiful for God” (as Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta phrased it).

Thanks be to God, we have had three new members join Our Legion of Mary group this year. We’ve been praying for three years for replacements since four of our members moved out of the area, and God has been gracious in sending us three devout women. Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew tells us to pray the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into the vineyard, so we do continue to pray for those willing to serve Jesus through Mary.

Both the “Pilgrim Virgin” and “Enthronement of the Sacred Heart” in homes are works the Legion of Mary is involved with, but right now we haven’t sufficient members to take on those works in addition to those we already have. We’d very like our Junior Legion to carry on these works but they need adult supervision and people aren’t interested so far in helping organize a Junior Legion in our parish. Thanks for your suggestions, though.

If you looked at the link and saw something you’d be interested in discussing, I’ll be happy to begin a thread on that topic. Each session was a simple one hour presentation using Scripture, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church with questions and discussions – so vital a part of Adult Formation in the Faith. I agree sowing seeds is important and I trust while one plants another may water and another may reap the fruit. May God be glorified in all His children, through Mary our Mother. Thanks again for your replies. 🙂
 
MariaChristi said:
If there’s a bazaar, a picnic, or some fundraiser, there will be a crowd, but at daily and Sunday Masses, Sunday Bible Studies, or events like the Rosary Rally held at our parish on Oct 13 - the number of people attending is amazingly low.
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I feel your pain. 😦
 
Mystical_Seeker said:
I feel your pain. 😦
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Dear Mystical Seeker,

Thanks so much for reading my longer explanation. Sowing seeds is important, and by God’s Grace let us continue sharing the Love, God gives us for Himself and for His Mother. I pray also as Jesus told us to pray the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into His Harvest.

One sows and another waters and another reaps fruit – all by His Grace, and through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. May we learn daily from the Holy Spirit to discern truth from falsehood to grow more and more like Mary, pleasing God as she does, and helping all our brothers and sisters to grow closer to her Immaculate Heart and to His Sacred Heart, emptied so completely on Calvary for Love of the Father and for us.
 
It’s funny. All of a sudden it seems like there can be reasons to rejoice, but we don’t because we had hopes of “something more.”

In a world where everything is measured and accounted for and plans are made and revised, it can be hard to remember that a Great Victory in the eyes of God may look like failure to us. It is hard for me to get my mind around the idea that sometimes a couple loaves and fish, planted in the right place, can feed thousands. 🙂

That could have the effect of undermining our own confidence that the seeds we are sowing are even the ones we should be, or that we’re doing it right. Here’s an example where self-judgment and human logic can make a blessing seem like a failure. 😦
 
Mystical_Seeker said:
It’s funny. All of a sudden it seems like there can be reasons to rejoice, but we don’t because we had hopes of “something more.”

In a world where everything is measured and accounted for and plans are made and revised, it can be hard to remember that a Great Victory in the eyes of God may look like failure to us. It is hard for me to get my mind around the idea that sometimes a couple loaves and fish, planted in the right place, can feed thousands. 🙂

That could have the effect of undermining our own confidence that the seeds we are sowing are even the ones we should be, or that we’re doing it right. Here’s an example where self-judgment and human logic can make a blessing seem like a failure. 😦
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Yes, dear Mystical Seeker,

There is always a reason to rejoice – His Name is Jesus! 🙂 He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and He is the Ultimate Cause of our Joy, and because of Mary’s Yes to God’s Plan she too is an intermediary cause of our Joy. In fact, because of God’s Love in sending Jesus born of Mary, each of us can share His joy with others. I posted yesterday some words of Pope Emeritus (Benedict XVI) which gave me a special joy. See HERE

How truly the Word of God tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross… (cf Hebrews 12:2). Thanks again for your reply.
 
It is so easy to get discouraged when numbers are small. In my last parish I used to offer a class for parents while their children were in CCD. We figured instead of having to drive home and back for their kids they could come into the parish center, have a cup of coffee and some donuts, and engage in a discussion on different aspects of the faith. We had over 300 kids in the program and only 6 parents would show up for the class. We discovered that a good number of parents were sitting in the parking lot during class time texting. Yes I was disappointed and frustrated but those 6 people really enjoyed the sessions and kept coming back, so it was worth it.
 
In the interest of charity regarding the Rosary Rally, October 13 was on a Monday this year…Monday nights are usually a killer. For parents, it’s still keeping the new school schedule after a day of work. For others, Monday nights are not the best because of “Garfield Syndrome.” 😉
 
Miserissima said:
In the interest of charity regarding the Rosary Rally, October 13 was on a Monday this year…Monday nights are usually a killer. For parents, it’s still keeping the new school schedule after a day of work. For others, Monday nights are not the best because of “Garfield Syndrome.” 😉
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Dear Merissima,

Our Rosary Rally was on Saturday Oct. 11 – it is usually held on Saturday mornings around 11:30 - ending around 12:30, but it is hard to get a date and time that fits everyone. The Lord knows each heart and as I told some who weren’t sure if they could make it, unite in spirit and pray the Rosary at home. Public witness can be very helpful but ultimately God looks at the heart. 🙂 Thanks be to God for all your charitable efforts. Let us always strive, by His Grace to do His Truth lovingly.
 
MariaChristi said:
Dear Merissima,

Our Rosary Rally was on Saturday Oct. 11 – it is usually held on Saturday mornings around 11:30 - ending around 12:30, but it is hard to get a date and time that fits everyone. The Lord knows each heart and as I told some who weren’t sure if they could make it, unite in spirit and pray the Rosary at home. Public witness can be very helpful but ultimately God looks at the heart. 🙂 Thanks be to God for all your charitable efforts. Let us always strive, by His Grace to do His Truth lovingly.
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My bad!
😊
 
Joannm said:
It is so easy to get discouraged when numbers are small. In my last parish I used to offer a class for parents while their children were in CCD. We figured instead of having to drive home and back for their kids they could come into the parish center, have a cup of coffee and some donuts, and engage in a discussion on different aspects of the faith. We had over 300 kids in the program and only 6 parents would show up for the class. We discovered that a good number of parents were sitting in the parking lot during class time texting. Yes I was disappointed and frustrated but those 6 people really enjoyed the sessions and kept coming back, so it was worth it.
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Dear Joannm,

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, it is so easy to become discouraged – really about anything, if we are not on our guard. It seems to me that discouragement is a tool satan can use to get us thinking about anyone or anything as long as our focus is not on God. We need to keep reminding ourselves of God’s Word in Romans 8:28 - “God works ALL things unto good…”

We can be tempted toward discouragement when situations occur such as the one you mentioned. My husband and I had a very similar experience offering a class for parents while their children attended catechism classes. It was so sad to see them choosing to do other things when something so beautiful was offered – an opportunity to give their children an example of ongoing formation in the Faith, as well as the opportunity for parents to grow closer to God by learning more about His call to holiness.

Sadness, however, need not lead us to discouragement if we pray for grace to know God’s Will in each situation. For us, it was to look for a different time and different group while continuing to pray for those who did not accept what was offered. Those few who came were blessed and thankful, which is almost always the case. What saddens me is knowing many seem to refuse grace God would give them. We continue to invite parents in other ways to other programs because the Catholic Family is so very important. When we are sad, we can weep as Jesus did over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34-35) and continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in what we need to do each day by His Grace.

I started a thread titled “A special joy” because some words from Pope Emeritus really helped me in my sadness. See HERE
 
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