The Love Shines Through in Baptism

I have been living and working at St. Anne’s for a month as of today – and what a month it has been. I have learned much about parish ministry, working with different cultural communities and the “ins and outs” of priestly living and work. Needless to say, there is much more for me to learn but these have been good days and hopefully will continue to be in the months ahead.

One of the many “new” areas I have worked at St. Anne’s is the Baptism Ministry. One to two nights a week, I help the staff here interview parents who come to the Church seeking baptism for their child. I must tell you, at first, I did not think this would be that engaging. Yet it has been a wonderful opportunity to understand the power of the sacraments of the Church and the real desire of so many to be more involved in the life of the Church. It has been a real source of hope for me!

First, I have come to see and better understand the “requirements” for Baptism for the Church. This can sometimes be a challenge for those unfamiliar with the Church in general, or the Church in America, particularly for those new to the country. It is an opportunity for learning and formation and has actually, in my limited experience, encouraged some families to approach the sacrament differently. For example, they might reconsider why they originally considered a certain person to be a godfather or godmother. It has brought about some good dialogue, even between the two parents at the interview itself.

Second, and most exciting for me, it is wonderful to see the enthusiasm that young families bring with them to this meeting. They’re excited and want this beautiful sacrament for their child. It’s also good, for one who does not understand parenthood firsthand, to see this excitement and enthusiasm as well as the challenges that come with this vital vocation in the life of the Church. How affirming and wonderful it is to see the person you met on Wednesday search you out at Mass on Sunday to say hello and to see them “parenting in action”.

Third, it’s a reminder to build on that enthusiasm. It can sometimes be easy to get caught in the cynicism. Baptisms are celebrated every Saturday at St. Anne’s and they are filled through October. It would be dishonest to say that all who come to the interview are actively engaged in the life of the parish. Yet, what a tremendous opportunity for the evangelizing and welcoming spirit – the love - of the Church to shine through. Gently inviting these families to become involved in the life of St. Anne’s receives a range of reactions – some positive, some not so much. Yet, I hope and pray, that the gentle spirit of welcome and hospitality offered in these moments might serve as an inspiration and reminder of the Church that is always calling people to come home.

What a great experience this continues to be!

The Love Shines Through Grief

As I live and learn here at St. Anne’s, I continually recognize the power and importance of so many of the ministries present in this parish community. This past week, I have been involved with the Ministry of Consolation. It’s an amazing ministry – one present in many parishes – that brings the power of community and Church to those who mourning the loss of a loved one.

The ministry started here about two years ago under the guidance of another seminarian – now Fr. David Regan. In many ways, this ministry provides the comfort and direction a family in grief needs so they don’t need to think or worry about the many details linked to the loss of a loved one. This allows those who are suffering to fully appreciate and enter into the wake service, funeral liturgy and burial of their loved one.

For those who might not be familiar, here’s how the ministry works (I’m sure it’s similar in other parishes, too.) When the parish is notified about the death of a parishioner, a minister of consolation is called and she (or he) gathers a team of fellow ministers to work with and assist a grieving family. Members of the team invite the family to St. Anne’s, visit them at the funeral home or in their own home (whatever is best for them). Here, they walk the family through the entire process – explaining the process, working with a family to plan out the funeral mass, including selecting appropriate readings and hymns, and seeking to include as many members of the family as possible in the vigil service and funeral mass. All of this information is shared with the team and the Celebrant of the liturgy so he, too, is part of the planning of the liturgy.

The Vigil service generally takes place at the funeral home on the afternoon or evening before the funeral Mass. The Church calls us to keep watch, to keep “vigil” before their loved one. We do this by greeting those who visit us, praying in community at a simple prayer service and preparing for the Funeral Mass the next day. A member or two from the team generally attends the wake service and is present in case the family has any last minute questions or concerns.

On the day of the funeral, the ministers are once again present. They greet the family as they arrive, assist them with whatever they need for the liturgy (even thinking of tissues if they’re upset!) and provide them with a worship aid so they can participate in the liturgy without flipping through missalettes, etc. They pray with the family and help them throughout the liturgy, especially if they are taking a part in the liturgy (reading, placing the pall on the casket, bringing up the gifts, etc.). More than anything they do, their presence bears incredible witness to those who are grieving and upset.

These past weeks, I have had the opportunity to serve at some funerals and lead a wake service. One of the things that has stuck with me is the mystery of the Church community. It’s the first time that I have had to lead a wake service or offer a reflection at the service of someone who I really did not know personally. At first, truthfully, it felt a little uncomfortable, even a little bit less than genuine. However, as I have thought and reflected on my experiences here, I’ve come to realize that it is not necessarily about any one of us and/or our personal relationship that is most important. It’s our openness to be witnesses to and ministers of the hope and consolation that comes with new life in Christ!

Hospitality Too - The Love Keeps Shining Through!

As I live and work here at St. Anne’s, I am beginning to understand the depth of commitment of both the parish and the local community to those most in need. There are many areas to reflect upon and we’ll do that in the weeks ahead.

One example of this depth is the parish’s commitment and support of the Hospitality Too Soup Kitchen which began in 1988 (?). The Hospitality Too Soup Kitchen is open every Saturday morning but the volunteer efforts require activity throughout the week (from wash up kits on Wednesdays, to food pick ups from local businesses throughout the week to numerous letters and requests for help and support that must be written. (In our local community, it’s often referred to as the “Peanut Butter and Jelly Gang”.) Admittedly, I don’t know as much about the “behind-the-scenes” work as I hope I will one day. The experience of Saturday mornings is one to emulate in our own communities.

The work begins usually around 7:30 A.M. as volunteers come to set up the space. The Parish of St. Anne’s provides the space for the work of the Soup Kitchen and has doneso for a number of years. Even when things in the parish have had to move, a place was always held for Hospitality Too. Presently, the soup kitchen operates out of the Church basement (where there is Air Conditioning!).

Around 8:00 A.M. , donations are sorted, bags prepared and the basement is set up to become a “sandwich factory” of sorts as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are made for the homeless and organizations that work with them in the local communities. After the set up is complete, around 9:00 A.M., the day begins with prayer led by a member of the community. Then, the first part of the day begins as thousands (literally) of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are made, packaged, boxed and either stored, picked up by or dropped off to local homeless advocacy groups.

After sandwiches are completed, prayers of thanksgiving are offered and the work of the meal gets underway. An unbelievably dedicated crew of regular volunteers makes all of this work, yet they are welcoming of the many new people chipping in (like me!) and getting involved. Bags of bread are prepared, take home meals are organized for each guest, tables are set (with flowers on each one) and the doors opened for the many guests who will come.

Lunch begins promptly at 11 A.M. with a prayer of blessing. A long “soup line”, if you will, forms and nearly two hundred people (the number varies each week) join the community for lunch. Special assistance is given to the elderly, those with children and those who struggle to handle lunch on their in any way. It’s clear a sense of community forms between the guests themselves and those here to serve them each week. What an experience!

After lunch, and only after everyone has been served and is finished, clean up begins in earnest. Never the most exciting part of the meal, it’s done relatively quickly as everyone chips in to get things together.

I have had the privilege of volunteering here before and never fail to leave encouraged and inspired to keep going. The spirit of those who operate the Hospitality Too Soup Kitchen, the commitment of the volunteers, the gratitude of the guests and the presence of so much “faith in action” cannot help but inspire all of us to keep on going! There aren't too many experiences more formation than this one.

(To learn more about the work of the Hospitality Too Soup Kitchen, you can join their group entitled, “The Peanut Butter and Jelly Gang” on Facebook. The pictures here are from that site and they are scarce as great sensitivity to confidentiality of the guests who come here. )

Following Witnesses

Check out these two websites that detail the work of young people from St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in West Islip.

Our Lady of Lourdes Mission Awareness Trip 2010

St. John the Baptist Mission Outreach: Peru

They'll be updated daily throughout the weeks ahead...certainly a wonderful chance to see many putting their faith and beliefs into action (and probably enjoying a few light moments as the week progresses, too!)