What can I do?

[DarkLight]

There are many issues in the world that matter to us as Catholics. My struggle is it often seems there is so very little that we can do. You can give (if you have money), and you can pray, but what else is there? Volunteer opportunities are in my experience pretty limited as far as actual helping and much more tending towards feel-good stuff. I have all sorts of things I’d like to do but I hardly have the resources to start something up, and I wouldn’t know where to begin half the time.

I’d really like to do some basic philosophy work for lay Catholics, but it often seems like that sort of thing is reserved for the religious. How can we as lay Catholics get involved in using our own gifts?

 

[fred_conty]

You might want to look at evangelization work. CAF has a thread devoted to this.
Or Catholic Charities may has some volunteer work you might look into.
Or your parish priest may have some ideas to help the parish with.
Maybe join some parish group.
Look for a church that has private adoration and pray for more priests.
There is also an organization that builds houses for the poor.
Some parishes have food pantries for the poor that need help.
Look into the K of C, this might be something you would like to help in.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[pianistclare]

Maybe you should train to be an RCIA catechist.
Don’t discount working in community service though.
The need is great. The blessing come from the interaction…it’s not so much a feel good thing, as it is a chance to be grateful and to share.
The impoverished, the hurting, the lonely, the hungry, the abandoned, the ones nobody cares about…can bless us, yes. But to be the hands and feet of Christ? Amazing.
God bless you.

 

[jaimeleglise]

Try SPSE

 

[DarkLight]

Maybe you should train to be an RCIA catechist.
Don’t discount working in community service though.
The need is great. The blessing come from the interaction…it’s not so much a feel good thing, as it is a chance to be grateful and to share.
The impoverished, the hurting, the lonely, the hungry, the abandoned, the ones nobody cares about…can bless us, yes. But to be the hands and feet of Christ? Amazing.
God bless you.

There really isn’t much in my area. It seems that it’s all give give give, and almost no do. The hands-on stuff seems to be much more I don’t really feel confident enough for RCIA stuff as a new Catholic. My philosophy is much better than my theology. There seems to be almost nothing at our parish that isn’t restricted to families.

The fact that I’m carrying a lot of debt doesn’t help - I don’t feel like I can spare anything financially, even time that could be spent working. I want to help but I don’t want to wait the years it could take to pay off the debt before I can really devote any time to helping others. Yet every option seems to cost money, even if it’s the amount extra that transportation would cost.

 

[pianistclare]

There really isn’t much in my area. It seems that it’s all give give give, and almost no do. The hands-on stuff seems to be much more I don’t really feel confident enough for RCIA stuff as a new Catholic. My philosophy is much better than my theology. There seems to be almost nothing at our parish that isn’t restricted to families.

The fact that I’m carrying a lot of debt doesn’t help - I don’t feel like I can spare anything financially, even time that could be spent working. I want to help but I don’t want to wait the years it could take to pay off the debt before I can really devote any time to helping others. Yet every option seems to cost money, even if it’s the amount extra that transportation would cost.

Oh I’m not saying you’re not being honest, but there HAS to be something that the parish does that doesn’t cost money. We have a community garden. We harvested over 3 tons of produce for the local food banks. We make sandwiches and lunches in the summer months for kids at a nearby trailer park that have no food for lunch. We gather toiletries to take to the prisons. A nearby center invites us to come and play games with the disabled older children and young adults. We carpool.
Seems like you want to talk and share about your faith. That’s wonderful! Isn’t there a Bible study you can attend? Could you ask the pastor to start one? I’m sure you’re not the only person that feels this way. There’s a series called JustFaith that focuses on Social Justice issues that would be great for a philosopher like you to share your chops.
There’s got to be SOMETHING for you and your gifts…talk to your pastor.
Good luck!
Clare

 

[Tigg]

There are many issues in the world that matter to us as Catholics. My struggle is it often seems there is so very little that we can do. You can give (if you have money), and you can pray, but what else is there? Volunteer opportunities are in my experience pretty limited as far as actual helping and much more tending towards feel-good stuff. I have all sorts of things I’d like to do but I hardly have the resources to start something up, and I wouldn’t know where to begin half the time.

I’d really like to do some basic philosophy work for lay Catholics, but it often seems like that sort of thing is reserved for the religious. How can we as lay Catholics get involved in using our own gifts?

I applaud you for recognizing that too often ministry is done for self-gratitude, although many would never admit it (and some are not even aware of it.) On a practical basis why don’t you list all the gifts and talents you have? I would then take that list to the Adoration Chapel and humbly submit it to God with a supplication for guidance. I’ve heard many give witness to absolute surprise that the area they thought they would be most useful in was not what God had in mind at all, but rather one that had been hidden in the dark. The saints, too, have testified that their ideas were far from the pathway that God eventually pointed out to them. If it is truly service we wish to offer we each should prepare to be open to endless possibilities - the likes of which will be a door opened by the Spirit.

 

[Tigg]

**There’s a series called JustFaith **that focuses on Social Justice issues that would be great for a philosopher like you to share your chops.
There’s got to be SOMETHING for you and your gifts…talk to your pastor.
Good luck!
Clare

Sorry to say this, but this forum has many threads on the controversies involving this program. Beware, OP, of its political nature. To get authentic info on this, do a search on the Catholic Media Coalition website. (My apologies, Clare…)

 

[pianistclare]

Sorry to say this, but this forum has many threads on the controversies involving this program. Beware, OP, of its political nature. To get authentic info on this, do a search on the Catholic Media Coalition website. (My apologies, Clare…)

It’s OK. Our Deacon LOVES this program…it has it’s followers. But in recent years, people have walked away from it. That’s always indicative of something. You’re correct. I’ve never done it, although they always invite me. was just thinking of Social Justice as something that might appeal. There are Social Justice offices at the Chancery that can put steer him in a good direction.
You sir, a re a gentleman.
I WILL check out that website. Maybe I can pass it on the to the Deacon as well.
Thank you so much!!!

 

[Tigg]

It’s OK. Our Deacon LOVES this program…it has it’s followers. But in recent years, people have walked away from it. That’s always indicative of something. You’re correct. I’ve never done it, although they always invite me. was just thinking of Social Justice as something that might appeal. There are Social Justice offices at the Chancery that can put steer him in a good direction.

I WILL check out that website. Maybe I can pass it on the to the Deacon as well.
Thank you so much!!!

You’re very welcome.

You sir, a re a gentleman.

But…but…I’m a :curtsey:

 

[pianistclare]

You’re very welcome.

But…but…I’m a :curtsey:

TOO FUNNY.

I didn’t even notice that in your byline…LOL

 

[DarkLight]

Honestly, I’m at the point where even the $5 to make the bus ride into town is dearly bought - and I don’t know how long this sort of situation will continue. So much around here seems to be silly projects aimed at the ivy kids in the college - this place is 3/4 college and only 1/4 actual town. There’s two parishes, but I have no respect for the one with all the young adults. Honestly the place seems saved from heresy only by inanity.

I want to give but I cannot give anything that costs money - that’s the simple fact.

 

[pianistclare]

Honestly, I’m at the point where even the $5 to make the bus ride into town is dearly bought - and I don’t know how long this sort of situation will continue. So much around here seems to be silly projects aimed at the ivy kids in the college - this place is 3/4 college and only 1/4 actual town. There’s two parishes, but I have no respect for the one with all the young adults. Honestly the place seems saved from heresy only by inanity.

I want to give but I cannot give anything that costs money - that’s the simple fact.

I understand. Please don’t discount your prayers. There are many in this world that have no one to pray for them.

Many people have never ever had anyone pray for them. That’ shocking isn’t it?
They grew up with non-believers, and live in a world of non-believers, and are afraid to approach God through prayer in the first place, and ask questions like "how do I pray? How do I know if I’m doing it right? and the like.
Keep praying and know that you are doing something GREAT for the kingdom. God does hear prayers…we know this. Sometimes when I’m driving to the office I pray the rosary. One day, I suddenly had this thought…this may be the only time ever, that someone has uttered a prayer in this spot. So now, I am happy to pray in the car. I feel like any prayer I say on the way blesses that little stretch of roadway, those who live there, or those who must travel it.

Donating money is not the only way to help. Think of the monastics and the cloistered. They pray for us constantly. It’s pretty cool.

And if the young adult parish has Adoration. GO. If things are as bad as you say…Jesus would love to see you there. You can be a great example of piety and faith.
Peace, friend.