Fully Participating Parishioners

Fully Participating Parishioners

By Jon Golding

A new phrase being used to describe active members of the church is Fully Participating Parishioners.   This is something I think everyone should strive for if they belong to Christ the King or any church. A fully participating parishioner is one who is involved as a volunteer, donates a portion of their income, and attends Mass weekly. Each one of these areas is very important not just for the success of Christ the King but for all of us as balanced, fulfilled Christian people. 

Volunteering is something everyone can do regardless of age, income, or gender. We have people that volunteer who range from young school children to a few individuals in their nineties.   It does not require large commitments of time or energy. It can be as simple as ushering at Mass, helping with bereavement dinners or even joining the prayer line. Sometimes people have a tendency to let the other person volunteer because they think the other person enjoys doing it. This may be true but this thinking prevents us from getting to meet, knowing, and sharing our faith with others. It is the sharing of our faith and our lives with others which make us truly fulfilled. 

Tithing is an area which is very personal for everyone.  As a general rule 5% is the suggested giving range. Of course some individuals are able to give more than this figure and others less depending on their personal circumstances.  Let’s just make sure we realize our gifts are from God and we are obligated to share a portion with Him.

The final and most important area of being a fully participating parishioner is attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.   It is alarming that church attendance is below 50%. Isn’t it ironic that everyone wants their children to attend catholic schools but fail to take advantage of the most important aspect of being Catholic by going to Mass as a family?   These times together as a family at church are the best learning experiences we can share with our children. What kind of message are we sending to our children when we prioritize other events over Sunday Mass?

Please take a moment and reflect and pray that we all take the time and prioritize our spiritual side with our human side and become a fully participating parishioner.