I agree that most Catholic parishes need more involvement from the laity. There is a very low culture of expectation these days. Most parishes use the “sign up at the back of the church” method, which means inevitably that 10% of the parish does 90% of the work. I would like to see more priests be a little braver about asking individuals face to face to help out with specific needs. That works.
On the other hand, I don’t like the way the Mormon church does it either. They may claim all that stuff is voluntary, but it’s really not. First they need to stop guilting people into callings by claiming that the bishopric receives revelation on who should do what. That is a lie. Just admit that you’re plugging holes like everybody else. Secondly, they shouldn’t tie temple recommends to whether or not members are doing callings or paying tithing. Far too many LDS folks are way overstressed with church callings and meetings, so much of it nonsensical busy work that has little to do with spiritual development. Families are constantly jumping from one hoop to the next, feeling guilty whenever they fall short. The church needs to dial it way back.
I think between the two there is probably a happy medium somewhere.
