Ask deacon Mike

There are so many wonderful things about being associated with our parish that I would be hard pressed to list them all. Of course what makes this a wonderful parish is the spirit of the people. Jesus came to redeem us out of God’s shear love for His children. The way we live our lives is our response to that love. From the moment I arrived (now over ten years ago) I was struck by the generosity of the people here. I am not just referring to the Sunday collection, either. I am amazed at the level of service which you give to the parish in your time and talents, also.

About a week ago I was talking to a friend about this level of service. She pointed out to me how so many of our people are volunteers who think nothing of working on various projects and / or participate in other activities at both our parish and our school. I sort of bristle when I hear the word “volunteer” when it is associated with service to our parish community. I began to explain this to her and she listened for a while then said “Why don’t you explain this in your next edition of “Ask Deacon Mike”. So, today I want to explain to all of you why I believe what you do for the parish goes far beyond being a volunteer.

When we were baptized we were initiated into more than just a local congregation. We became members of the universal church. The prayer of anointing after baptism says: God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into His holy people. Through baptism we become members of God’s family. Being a member of a family implies certain rights and responsibilities. The prayer goes on to say: He now anoints you with the Chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as members of His body sharing everlasting life.

As members of Christ’s Church we are called to be priests who constantly offer our lives as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. We are called to be prophets who witness to the world God’s message of mercy and love by the way we live and by what we say. Finally we are called to be part of the royal family of God. Through the forgiveness of sin we have been raised to a higher level of existence in God’s blessed family.

The point of all of this is that through our baptism our words and actions take on greater meaning. We do what we do to bring honor and glory to God. When we participate in the life of the Church we do so because we have ownership. As members we give of our selves for the greater glory of God by loving each other and all whom God has created. For me this means that what we do is not a matter of volunteering, it is our privilege and responsibility as ministers of Christ’s Church.

Perhaps the word ministry is over-used. I don’t think so. Ministry means service. What makes your service to the parish a ministry is the fact that it is done for the glory of God by the building up of the Church. Regardless of the level of your service or the type of service, when it is done in the name of Jesus Christ for the well-being of God’s people then I believe it is a ministry.

I hope you take some time and think about this. Perhaps by seeing your service in this light it will add a special meaning to your wonderful acts of love and care for the support of the parish and one another. It doesn’t matter what you do. From mowing grass to working bingo to being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or a member of one of our many outreach programs, your service is a ministry because you lovingly accept your responsibility as a member of God’s family to care for one another.

In the Gospel for the 5^th Sunday of Easter we hear Jesus tell us: As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. All of us recognize Jesus as God’s great minister to His people. If we are called to do the same then we, too, are ministers of His love.

As always I welcome your questions concerning our Catholic faith, the sacraments or anything to do with parish life. You can place your question in an envelope and drop it in the Sunday collection or send it to the rectory. Please be sure to put “Ask Deacon Mike” on the outside. You can also contact me by e-mail at deaconmikefranks@verizon.net. Your identity is always kept anonymous.

As we continue this beautiful Easter season I pray that all of us continue to live in the hope of Christ’s resurrected glory. Our love and care for one another is our expression of that hope. God bless you and as always, I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks.