What about our "works"

[BPWilson]

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Do you think that as Catholics, we do enough ‘works’ outside of our church? I’ll give an example of what I mean; at my church, we have had omelet breakfasts, special collections and fundraisers for a new snowblower, new church lights, and some remodeling. All good causes, to be sure. We have youth groups whose ‘volunteer’ time is spent weeding or cleaning at the church. As a church, we have not done community work— soup kitchens, paint a widow’s house, sponsor a mission trip to a 3rd world country, or similar. I have lived in various parts of the country and have observed the same thing wherever I live. It appears that other denominations do a much better job than we do in this department. It just seems that we act as a closed group, take care of our own needs, and rarely venture out into the community to do good works (and by default share our Catholic faith) Have any of you had different experiences than I have?

 

[1ke]

Well, I can’t speak to your experience in various parishes, but mine is much different. I do not see the “closed in” aspect you speak of.

Certainly you are missing the bigger picture which is that by our giving through the parish, diocese, and other charitable giving we, the Catholic Church, serve more people in the world than any other organization or denomination. We have missionaries in the fields, whatever those fields are-- on the domestic front, the international front, healthcare, education, pro-life ministry, homelessness, immigrants… you name it.

Does each person or each individual parish do this? No.

Does that imply Catholics do “less” than other groups? No.

If you feel strongly that you are called to do more of the corporal works of mercy in your community, you should raise this at a parish council meeting. Make suggestions and then volunteer to lead the effort.

The last parish I attended had a very vibrant social services ministry-- immigrant services, food pantry, resale clothing shop, community garden, rent/heating/electricity assistance, a job ministry, and more. Every social ministry you could think of. But, each of those ministries had behind it a person or persons personally dedicated to it. Our pastor never said no to a single ministry idea. But it was upt to the person who wanted to start that ministry to organize, fundraise, get volunteers, and carry out those ministries.

“The church” doesn’t do the corporal works of mercy-- we each are called to do that individually to some greater or lesser degree

Bottom line-- don’t complain about it, do something about it.

 

[BPWilson]

I’m not missing the bigger picture. I am fully aware of what the church does worldwide.

I am also not complaining. I was making an observation- and from that, you are not able to make an accusation that I am not “doing” something about it.

I’m glad that you have been part of a church that act locally.

I look forward to hearing other’s experiences.

 

[Trishie]

Our parish sends money each week to East Timor and has for some years, helping that country to rebuild infrastructure and recover. A few years ago the United Nations had proclaimed "East Timor, “the poorest country in Asia”. Last year our Catholic primary school raised $10,000 to add to all that our parish raised through event for East Timor. This happens every year, not only in my parish but also in several other parishes around Australia.

We also have had East Timorese priests staying up to a year with out priests, in order to study, and to learn English.

Our own priests spend time actively helping in East Timor…so yes, apart from the usual collections to help the needy, including the St Vincent de Paul society, Caritas (for instance with money sent to Haiti recently, just as we did to Indonesia after the tsunami), and the Catholic Centacare that provides many kinds of assistance to needy families.
Ours is an average, not a rich parish, and so I don’t think we do too badly in the good works issue.

 

[Highwayhound]

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Do you think that as Catholics, we do enough ‘works’ outside of our church? I’ll give an example of what I mean; at my church, we have had omelet breakfasts, special collections and fundraisers for a new snowblower, new church lights, and some remodeling. All good causes, to be sure. We have youth groups whose ‘volunteer’ time is spent weeding or cleaning at the church. As a church, we have not done community work— soup kitchens, paint a widow’s house, sponsor a mission trip to a 3rd world country, or similar. I have lived in various parts of the country and have observed the same thing wherever I live. It appears that other denominations do a much better job than we do in this department. It just seems that we act as a closed group, take care of our own needs, and rarely venture out into the community to do good works (and by default share our Catholic faith) Have any of you had different experiences than I have?

I was just talking to Archbishop Vlazny this morning about this. More correctly he was talking to those of us at a vocation retreat about this subject. The Catholic church was for a long period of time in a “fortress mentality” where we stayed within ourselves and protected the church. He said the church is changing and that we are entering a new age where we need to go out in the world in the mode of the original apostles.

In my youth I noticed a similar pattern that you have described. Over the decades it has changed, but it was because the hearts of people changed. In Oregon there is a long way to go as there is a small percentage of Catholics living here. I am guessing it is about 12-14%.

Our primary goal is to bring Jesus to people. You have made an observation. What do you intend to do about it? It will interesting to read some of your ideas about this.

God bless

 

[BPWilson]

I’m glad that what I have seen seems to be a minority viewpoint. I have spoken to several people at our current church, and everyone is excited about the possibilities. As has been suggested earlier, all you need is a spark.

But as far as ideas- and I look forward to hearing others- is 1) get the kids involved. at least in our area, there is less of a community feel as the family farms have disappeared, and people are less connected. we are working on the kids helping the older parishners with lawn care/shopping/etc. we have gotten them more involved with a local nursing home, and it has gone well. 2) we have had some preliminary meetings on a medical clinic in an African country.

there have been some other ideas, but this is a little of what has been started

 

[lutherlic]

My parish has many external service projects. We regularly participate in Habitat for Humanity - not only building but other support like providing lunch . We have a lot of people involved with St. Vincent de Paul working at the store and as case workers. Our special collection for Haiti raised $50,000. etc.

 

[St_Francis]

I agree that there are some areas in which the protestants seem to be way ahead of us. After an earthquake or other type of natural disaster, it seems like they are the first to show up and I don’t think that’s right. And I used to pass a sign that said Come hear Mr X speak about missionary work in Mexico… where they seem to think there are no Christians

I think that one of the problems is that historically there was more of a division of work in the Church. Missionaries and other charitable workers tended to be religious (nuns and monks) supported by the laity. In the Protestant communities, the laity did it all.

I think we are moving in that direction.