Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

(From the Aug. 21, 2003 edition of the Inland Register)

One of the interesting and rewarding aspects of my ministry as bishop is regular parish visitation. My visits often include the celebration of the sacraments of initiation, primarily Confirmation and First Eucharist. Often when I visit parishes, I am amazed at the “teams” who help prepare for the celebration of Eucharist. Every one knows what he or she is to be doing. Even if the pastor might be away, I have found these folks invaluable, because they know exactly what preparations are necessary for Mass.

For the most part, these people are volunteers. The preparation of the gifts of bread and wine, the Eucharistic ministers, the lectors, the musicians, the provider of flowers, the servers, those who open and lock up the church: all are part of the makeup of this group that serves the community. When visiting parishes, I try to thank everyone for making community and church possible. There is always the danger of leaving someone out. Some years ago, as I was thanking everyone at the end of Mass, I heard from the short server who stood, holding up the Sacramentary for the final blessing: “Bishop, you always forget the servers.”

We don’t want to forget anybody. It’s good for us to reflect how many people in our parishes have such a generous spirit of service. And it’s not only a matter of the many people involved in our Eucharistic celebrations. Catechists, parish councils, finance councils, building and maintenance committees are just some of the many services that exemplify the generosity of so many with their time, talents, and resources. I know of a man in the diocese who has been a volunteer catechist in his parish for over 30 years. He also cooks and oftentimes will provide the ham for a dinner or potluck. In another parish, when there is a gathering afterwards in the parish hall, one of the parishioners always brings his homemade ice cream. In several parishes, a lady is well-known for her delicious cinnamon rolls.

These kinds of parish stories and examples are repeated over and over again. On the diocesan level, we have many people who serve our institutions and organizations with distinction. Our Diocesan Review Board, addressing issues of abuse; Diocesan Finance Council, with its several sub-committees; the Catholic Cemeteries board; Catholic Charities board; the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center board; boards for our schools at every level; boards for our health care systems; the board of Morning Star Boys Ranch: all provide a tremendous service of offering wisdom and generosity for the good of the community of faith and for the common good in general. Again and again, I am amazed the myriad number of people involved in so many aspects of the church’s life and ministry.

At times one hears a bit of a grumble about all these meetings, about all these needs of service. Do they ever accomplish anything? I think they accomplish quite a lot. Perhaps Father Ron Rolheiser, the spirituality columnist, said it best: Pentecost happened at a meeting! Like the Apostles who waited in the upper room for the coming of the Holy Spirit, so too in our service in so many different ways contributes to building up the Body of Christ. At any one particular moment, the results of that work may not be particularly evident. Yet, we know neither the moment nor the day when special things happen, when there is movement. “Waiting in the upper room” may not be all that flashy, but it does demonstrate a sense of patience, trusting that God will send the Spirit, “the wind blowing where it wills” (John 3:8).

As we reflect on the four decades since the Second Vatican Council, the development of ministries and the use of gifts for the life of the community and for the larger church have truly been phenomenal. First of all, the Church has been tremendously enriched by this offering of personal gifts and time. Second, the life of Church would be significantly impaired if it weren’t for this generous volunteering. Third, the witness of generosity and participation stands an inspiring example for those who yet have to offer themselves in generous service. Together we as church need to continue to search out ways as to how we even better utilize the gifts of so many generous people.

I want to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to so many who use their gifts so well and willingly. Sometimes even what appears to be the smallest of offering of service can be most valuable. Locking up a church after Mass is not particularly heavy duty, but it is a very valuable and needed task.

May we all together continue to work together to enrich the community of faith with our gifts and live our lives in generous service to the Lord and one another. The Lord has truly blessed every one of us, and may we in our offering our service render a blessing back to the community of faith, the body of Christ.

Much peace and many blessings to all of you.

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