Every parish has them: pew warmers. They show up most Sundays, but that’s the extent of their involvement. Imagine how much more of God’s work could be done if pew warmers became active volunteers in the Church.
How can we gently reach out and help transform pew warmers into active volunteers like Evelyn Verwold? After a funeral at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in College Station, Texas, Evelyn’s kitchen crew prepares and serves a meal to the bereaved family. She understands the sanctity of the service. “We aren’t just serving good food,” she says. “We are making the comfort and love of Jesus present here and now. Cooking is caring.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the parish is a place where the faithful can gather to celebrate the Eucharist and practice “the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love” (2179). Parishes have a noble mission, and by participating in parish life we are loving God and neighbor as Jesus taught us.
Typically, parishes that promote volunteerism successfully emphasize the holiness of the work. Even the humblest forms of service are done for the glory of God. How do we cultivate this attitude throughout our own parish? First, we must come to recognize, through preaching, education, and the sacramental life, that when we do God’s work we are engaged in something that has eternal value. In addition, we welcome and invite the participation of all. To ensure that God’s work is done in the best way possible and that volunteers have the confidence they need to do the job, we train volunteers for their mission. Finally, we rely on prayer as the foundation for service and cultivate the practice of prayer within the various ministries.
How do we invite parishioners to participate? Parishes often use bulletin announcements and signup campaigns. However, a personal invitation is usually the best way to encourage others to do God’s work. When skills and interest are matched with need, volunteerism increases.
Of course, before you can personally approach people, you have to know them. Smiling at other parishioners, greeting them, and inquiring about their welfare aren’t just courteous practices: These actions emulate Jesus’ caring presence. Potluck dinners and other social activities—like coffee and donuts after Mass—aren’t nice add-ons to the “real work” of the parish, they are essential.
Msgr. David Lockard, pastor of Most Holy Trinity in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, explains that organization helps the process. “Parish organization isn’t bureaucracy; it’s not a waste of time,” he says. “It lets us coordinate opportunities for service.”
“All leaders in ministry have to be welcoming,” says Father Sam Hose, pastor of the new and growing parish of St. John Vianney in Round Rock, Texas. “We are developing a vital hospitality ministry, which may include home visits and welcoming phone calls. As we get to know each other, we learn that all share a desire to do good.” Father Hose reminds us that every parish is blessed with people who are eager to express their ideas and opinions. Every parish is also blessed with those who quietly reflect and serve. Listen to what they have to say and seek out their ideas. If we don’t reach out to the quiet people, we’ll never discover their important gifts.
Those of us who aren’t naturally outgoing may hesitate to ask others to join in a particular ministry. However, when we really believe we are doing God’s work, we willingly invite others to share. As Louis Hodges, a lector and RCIA catechist says, “Remember, Satan and his minions constantly invite us to do evil. As God’s voices, we must be even more dedicated.”
How do you ask a person to volunteer? You explain how the person’s skills and talents match the volunteer opportunity, the benefits of volunteering, and the time and resources required. For example, to ask a person to teach in the religious education program, you could say, “I’ve noticed that you enjoy being around young people and they enjoy being with you. Have you considered becoming a teacher? Classes meet after Mass on Sunday and it takes about an hour to prepare the lesson. When I teach the Catholic faith, I learn much more about it and gain satisfaction in knowing that I’m helping kids choose a good path in life.”
Often people accept the offer, or may indicate some other way they could serve. Sometimes parishioners say “no.” “Accept what is offered,” advises Father Mark Begly, pastor of St. John the Baptist in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania. “Small gifts, through the Holy Spirit, can bear much fruit. When people experience the benefits of service, often they’ll increase their involvement.”
Jesus spent three years of his life training the disciples. Whether volunteers fry the fish for Lenten dinners or coordinate the adult education classes, training is essential. An untrained volunteer may feel inadequate for the task or may not have the skills needed to do the job. Training can be anything from an informal exchange of information to a multi-year certification program. The measure of success of any training is twofold: It teaches the person how to do the job and instills confidence in the participant.
We know that God is pleased when we do his work, and we can express God’s joy to each other. In addition, when a parish cultivates an attitude of appreciation, volunteerism increases. Simple gestures like thank-you notes, pulpit announcements, appreciation parties, and bulletin notices convey the message that when each person contributes to the Kingdom of God, God notices, and we do too.
No discussion of service is complete without emphasizing the importance of prayer. Prayer should precede and follow everything we do. When we offer our work to the glory of God and ask his blessing, we reconnect with the purpose of our activities.
In addition, there are some who can’t volunteer in a public way, yet their contribution of prayer is beyond measure. Shawn Pauc, a young mother of two, experienced the caring ministry of prayer at a time in her life when she was in the greatest need. In February, 1998, her husband, Mark, was killed in an automobile accident.
“When I heard about the accident, I immediately notified the parish prayer chain. I knew they were praying for me as I talked to Mark,” Shawn recalls. “I knew they were praying for me as I made the funeral arrangements, and I know they still pray for my family as we try to live our lives day by day. My parish has helped me with physical and material needs, but their constant support through prayer is what sustains me.”
Shawn’s story shows us that when we volunteer, we are not serving the pastor or parish programs. We are helping each other to holiness. In 1 Corinthians 12:7 Paul teaches, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” One way to make sure our parishes get all the benefits the Holy Spirit has to offer is to welcome, invite, train, and appreciate the pew warmers.