“We have over a couple hundred youth registered for Faith Formation and only 3 adult volunteers.”
“Our parish has the same small group of people volunteering to care for all our ministries.”
“Only 2 percent of our parishioners are giving each week, barely supporting the entire parish.”
These are some challenges facing our Catholic churches that I hear at different Archdiocesan meetings.
For the past couple of Sundays, the Second Reading has been from the book of James, and it is this coming Sunday as well.
So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17
I am challenged by this reading to reflect on my faith – am I living it as Jesus asks me to, or is it dead?
In this coming Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks,
“But who do you say that I am?” Mark 8:29
Out of faith, I say Jesus, You are the Son of God! And out of faith I want to do good works! I want to care for those in need when I can. I want to help at my church so that others can grow in faith too. And out of gratitude for my blessings and commitment to Jesus and His Church I want to keep my commitment to give a donation every week.
Imagine if we all had faith that moved us to do good works for our parish….I would love to share at a meeting,
“At Saint Peter Claver we have a couple hundred families registered for Faith Formation and another hundred adults signed up to help!”
