The Adventure of Parish Life

Two weeks ago in the bulletin, we had the opportunity to learn about Father Shaji, his family, and his journey to Saint Patrick Parish. Last week we had the opportunity to learn about the life of a Totus Tuus missionary and a little about the experiences Deacon Scott has had as a seminarian in preparation for ordination as a priest. The past few weeks I have been blessed with meeting and learning about a few people who are new to our parish. Following up with some couples Father Dan had been preparing for marriage, I have been meeting them. 

Meeting someone new can be an adventure. We might form some ideas about the person or people when we first encounter them, like forming preconceptions when we embark upon a journey. Some of the thoughts or ideas may prove to be accurate; others will prove to be totally off base. There may be elements of surprise, joy, sadness, exhilaration, and surprise. One just never knows. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession is where we, as priests, really have this experience. As we sit in the Reconciliation Room, we have no idea who the next person will turn out to be. Young, old, middle-aged, friend, stranger, sinner, or saint, the person may kneel behind a screen, and we will never see their face, or they may sit in front of us and we see the face of someone sorrowful. Either way, they have come trusting they will experience greater peace by meeting with us and experience forgiveness for their sins. 

I have to confess, I don’t read our bulletin every week. I typically glance through it when the box of bulletins arrives at Saint Patrick’s. Most everything looks quite familiar.  Most weeks I write a column for the bulletin, many of the things listed in the bulletin we talk about at our weekly staff meeting, and most of the rest of the bulletin appears in other places where I see it and read about it. So it’s not that I am missing out on everything. 

But I did want to read what Father Shaji and Deacon Scott had written in the bulletin. So the last two weeks I read it more carefully. What I discovered is that a lot of what we offer at Saint Patrick Parish are “mini adventures.”

Most everything gives one the opportunity to meet someone new. Looking at the recent bulletin, volunteering for an I GOT TIME activity, attending the Greeter Ministry Gathering on Thursday, July 30, at 6:30, or just picking a name from the list of active duty military personnel allows you to meet or at least learn a little bit about someone new. 

Taking Communion to someone who is unable to attend Mass or asking to have someone bring you Communion if you are not able to attend Mass is a bit like being a priest in the Reconciliation Room. You will meet whoever is assigned to you. The person may be younger or older, was born in Hudson or recently moved here – you won’t know until you respond to our invitation. Similarly, for our Becoming Catholic Journey, if you are in need of the Sacraments of Initiation or are interested in Becoming Catholic, you don’t know who you will meet until you take the next step and reach out to this ministry. 

I have heard it said, “Life is an adventure.” Being active in your parish is also an adventure. Being a part of the journey on this adventure generally means meeting new people. Meeting new people opens you to joy, surprises, education, fun, and ultimately greater faith.