Involved In The Faith: Ministry expos help increase parish stewardship
By Erick Rommel
Head Staff Writer
For some Catholics, a lack of involvement in their Church is not because of a lack of interest, but rather because they do not know how to become more involved.
Over the past few weeks, several parishes have hosted ministry expos to educate parishioners about various opportunities to become involved in parish life.
“Often, speaking face to face is more effective than a blurb in the bulletin,” explained Sue Mantarro, diocesan coordinator of stewardship. “Almost everyone who goes to Mass tends to walk through.”
Exposure to parish programs also makes parishioners aware of church activities friends are involved with or that they may already be involved with in the community. “That’s what draws people to ministry,” Mantarro said, “when they see something they like or someone they know is involved.”
In St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction, which held its ministry expo Oct. 15-16, more than 140 people signed up to become involved in ministry. “It helps to promote community in the parish,” explained Thomas McCann, a parishioner. “Serving a ministry helps me feel more involved and like I’m making a difference in our Church.”
“It was a way for us to be a community,” said Jesus Our Hope Sister Barbara Haworth, pastoral associate. “We need more times like this to get to know each other.”
Parishioner Jerry Wahl explained that he was attracted to parish ministry “to be able to give back in a small way, and the friendship and fellowship with my neighbors and members makes it easy.”
“It is very fulfilling to be a part of the parish ministry,” said Cecilia Gavinelli, parishioner. “It brings the families and communities together.”
Father Michael G. Krull, pastor, Our Lady of Victories Parish, which hosted its expo Oct. 22-23, had been involved with ministry expos while serving as pastor in St. Anthony Parish, Port Reading, and wanted to bring the experience to Sayreville.
He explained that increased awareness of parish activities not only worked to “raise the consciousness of the parishioner,” it also helped to better establish small ministries and those that are just beginning.
“We don’t want people to sign their lives away, but involvement in the parish can be very rewarding,” he explained, adding that stewardship involvement is also a great way to get younger adults involved with parish life.
“A lot of times at their age, college age or post college, they’re trying to find their way. And, for young families, it helps them realize the Church isn’t just Mass on Sunday. There’s a lot more we offer.”
Not every ministry expo is the same. In Christ the King Parish, Manville, this year’s event focused solely on children’s ministry. During each Mass Sept. 17-18, as they do once a month in the parish, children were greeters and ushers, served as lectors and sang in the choir. After Mass, parishioners were able to learn more about the parish’s programs for kids.
“We were blessed with both parents and children willing to share their gifts,” said Loretta Stepka, parish co-director of stewardship. “It really rejuvenates the parish. The children that don’t participate yet, you can see them mesmerized by all the kids up in the front (of the church).”
Christ the King Parish also used its ministry expo to highlight its new youth ministry program. During the event, children wrote letters to servicemen and women overseas. “It reached way beyond New Jersey,” Stepka said.
Now that people have expressed interest in becoming more involved with their parishes, the diocesan Office of Stewardship is preparing workshops to teach parishes how to keep their new volunteers involved. “The next step is to follow up, to get the people who came with enthusiasm to continue,” Mantarro said. “You want to make use of the energy these expos generate.”
For many people however, no extra encouragement is needed to keep them active in their parish. “Stewardship is an awareness of God in everything,” Stepka said. “Erma Bombeck said it well when she said, ‘When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, but say, “I used everything You gave me.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law