How to get involved in my parish?

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cassiejet

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Hi,

I’m looking for some advice really. I’ll be graduating from university at the end of the month and moving back to my hometown with my parents… but I’m a bit concerned about where I’ll fit into my parish. It’s the same church I grew up in but there is no youth group (or even many young people at all) and all the parish groups are geared towards parents and married couples.

My family goes to church every Sunday, but they don’t really get involved beyond that and while I’ve been away at uni I have been much more involved with the church. Over the past year I have been the vice president for the university catholic society and I just don’t really know where to go from here.

I’d be grateful for any thoughts, and please let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed out!

Thanks, Cassie x
 
It might help to get into the mindset of looking for ways to help your parish, rather than just looking for ways to socialize within it.

Most parishes have no shortage of tasks that are not getting done and ministries that are not well-staffed. Especially in less wealthy parishes, there is almost unlimited need and potential for talented or motivated person to get involved.

It may not be obvious how you can help, because the parish’s needs might not really be advertised through channels that you’re connected to – or sometimes, the parish might not realize that there’s a need for additional help at all. You might need to take some time observing and listening in order to get a better idea of where the parish is short-staffed, or to identify which volunteers and leaders are overextended and are looking for relief.

Because your family apparently attends this parish, you won’t be a stranger, making it easier to observe how things work and look for ways to use your talents to benefit the parish and community as a whole.
 
Well, since you just graduated from university, you really are too old for a youth group anyway.

Why not go to the rectory and speak to someone. Since you have been away, you may not know what is there, especially if your family doesn’t participate. If there is nothing you can do or are interested in, look for a need and start something you would like to belong to. Bible study. Gardening on the church grounds. Visiting shut ins. Or even just a social hour after mass.
 
ack said:
It might help to get into the mindset of looking for ways to help your parish, rather than just looking for ways to socialize within it.

Most parishes have no shortage of tasks that are not getting done and ministries that are not well-staffed. Especially in less wealthy parishes, there is almost unlimited need and potential for talented or motivated person to get involved.

It may not be obvious how you can help, because the parish’s needs might not really be advertised through channels that you’re connected to – or sometimes, the parish might not realize that there’s a need for additional help at all. You might need to take some time observing and listening in order to get a better idea of where the parish is short-staffed, or to identify which volunteers and leaders are overextended and are looking for relief.

Because your family apparently attends this parish, you won’t be a stranger, making it easier to observe how things work and look for ways to use your talents to benefit the parish and community as a whole.
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👍
 
The St. Vincent DePaul society always needs case workers, counters, food bank helpers, clothing sorters, etc.
Get into a group that does outreach. Extremely rewarding, and you’ll meet tons of people your age. They could use your youthful enthusiasm.
 
Hello cassiejet,

Do you have an active Rosary Altar Society or Legion of Mary at your parish? I became Catholic at age 54 last year and immediately joined the Rosary Altar Society. Among our duties we keep the church clean, polish brass, contribute flowers for the church, etc. I’m physically limited because of arthritic knees, but I make rosaries and contribute other things to my parish in terms of time and talent. I love being a part of my parish through the RAS. I made so many friends. We meet once monthly after Holy Hour. :signofcross:

The Legion of Mary visits the sick and housebound, etc. They do much good work. Just some suggestions for you! Much luck, blessings, and graces on your journey! :blessyou: :amen:
 
Just call the office and set up a meeting with a priest! My husband and I set up a meeting with our Pastor telling him that we were interested in becoming more involved and by the meeting time, he had a list of ideas ready, and we took him up on 2 of them to start (building committee and Eucharistic Ministry). A great way to start is by becoming an usher. That’s how we started getting to know people, including the priests and deacons, and it led us to wanting to do more. Once you get started in something you like, doors will open up. There’s so much help our churches need, and your Pastor should know exactly where that help is needed and he might be able to help you figure out where you’ll be a good fit. Or if you are interested in ushering, just let one of the ushers know after Mass one Sunday and they should be able to point you in the right direction!

Congratulations on your graduation!
 
AllieT said:
Just call the office and set up a meeting with a priest! My husband and I set up a meeting with our Pastor telling him that we were interested in becoming more involved and by the meeting time, he had a list of ideas ready, and we took him up on 2 of them to start (building committe and Eucharistic Ministry). A great way to start is by becoming an usher. That’s how we started getting to know people, including the priests and deacons, and it led us to wanting to do more. Once you get started in something you like, doors will open up. There’s so much help our churches need, and your Pastor should know exactly where that help is needed and he might be able to help you figure out where you’ll be a good fit. Or if you are interested in ushering, just let one of the ushers know after Mass one Sunday and they should be able to point you in the right direction!

Congratulations on your graduation!
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Yes. “Ushing” is a lost art. 😃
 
I have no idea where you live, but perhaps you can attend a parish that appeals to a younger set. There are some parishes that do cater to 20-something singles, especially in more urban areas. There is nothing that states you must attend your parents’ parish.
 
Irishmom2 said:
Funny you should say that. I have a BIL that says he " has to go ush" when he leaves for mass on Sunday. 🙂
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yup! Since they started calling them “Hospitality Ministers” :rolleyes:
they quit “ushing”. They just stand around, hand out bulletins, and walk the communion line making sure no one “cuts”.
Silly, imho.
 
pianistclare said:
yup! Since they started calling them “Hospitality Ministers” :rolleyes:
they quit “ushing”. They just stand around, hand out bulletins, and walk the communion line making sure no one “cuts”.
Silly, imho.
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The ushers at my parish perform two major tasks:
  1. Stopping people from rushing out of their pews into the parking lot ahead of the priest when Mass is ending. After communion, the ushers physically stand in front of the exits and try to at least delay the stampede until the priest is gone.
  2. Stopping the communion line cutting – one hand on the pew and the other shoulder extended into the aisle makes it harder to crowd out people who are trying to stand up and get out of their pews.
The ushers are mostly men and strong, stocky women. It seems sort of ridiculous, but it has to be done. Ush-ing is not for the faint of heart…
 
ack said:
The ushers at my parish perform two major tasks:
  1. Stopping people from rushing out of their pews into the parking lot ahead of the priest when Mass is ending. After communion, the ushers physically stand in front of the exits and try to at least delay the stampede until the priest is gone.
  2. Stopping the communion line cutting – one hand on the pew and the other shoulder extended into the aisle makes it harder to crowd out people who are trying to stand up and get out of their pews.
The ushers are mostly men and strong, stocky women. It seems sort of ridiculous, but it has to be done. ****Ush-ing is not for the faint of heart…/****QUOTE]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
:knight2:

Sorry for sideways the off-topic :o
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