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Did you ever wake up in the middle of the night, wide awake for no reason, and say, "Here I am Lord...now what?"

Like many young people, I left the Church during college and didn't return until my early 30s. When I did come back, I sat in the back pew - last one in, first one out - until I started inching my way toward the front of the church, where I could see what was going on.

As my curiosity increased, so did my thirst for learning more about our faith. Today, there is no doubt in my mind that I am "made for more" - I just haven't figured out what that "more" is yet.

My faith journey led me to enroll in the Kateri Institute for Lay Ministry, a three-year program offered by the Albany Diocese. One class inspired me to write this story: Imagine you're walking to a park with your son, whom we'll call David. You're taking your time, marveling at the colors in the leaves. You watch a family flying a kite, a teen playing Frisbee. You breathe in the crispness of the day.

As you round the corner, a truck comes around the corner, going way too fast. David is safe, but you're knocked to the ground. It takes a minute for you to realize that the truck didn't hit you after all: Someone pushed you out of the way, and he was hit by the truck. You see people running toward you - and a little boy looking on, screaming, "Dad, Dad, don't leave me."

Paramedics arrive and work on the man, who's unconscious. You, your son and the man's little boy are brought to the hospital, as well. At the hospital, you learn that the other man is in surgery with life-threatening injuries and the little boy's name is Timothy. His mother passed away when he was a baby and he has no other family.

Wouldn't your heart just ache for this little boy? Wouldn't you want to hug him, take him home and care for him until his father gets better? His father sacrificed everything so that you could live to have another day with your son. What wouldn't you do for this man and his son?

This is exactly what Jesus did for us! He gave His life so that we could live. Why wouldn't we do whatever He needs?

If we don't understand this, then the whole "time, talent and treasure" talk is rote. Evangelization becomes work. Vocations talk is pointless.

I give of my time, talent and treasure because I'm grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made for me, a sinner. With the declining number of clergy, our Church needs us to step up more than ever before. Our Church is like that little boy who now needs to be cared for. How are we going to help?

Maybe you are in the same place I was, and no longer attend Mass. Maybe you drop your kids off at religious education and run errands. Would you be willing to give up an hour of your time and give Mass a try?

For those who do attend Mass, can you do something as simple as smile at the person next to you? Can you talk about our Church and God to your family and friends, and maybe invite them to Mass? Can you bring fresh ideas to one of the parish's ministries?

Evangelization is simply having a conversation with someone, extending an invitation. We just invite people in, welcome them and let them find peace. Whether you're in school, the workforce or retired, you can lend a hand.

Every fall, we have ministry sign-ups. This is vital to our parishes. Without our treasure, we would not be able to continue educational opportunities or maintain our parishes. Without time and talent, our ministries will wither and die.

Would you be willing to give the first hour of your salary each week as your treasure? Kids, can you do an extra chore around the house and give the money to the Church? Is there a talent you can share or a ministry you want to learn more about? For those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, would you be willing to join a ministry? Is there is a ministry you feel we need and don't have?

Individually, we can each accomplish some great things. Together, there's nothing we can't do.

(Ms. Klementowski is a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville and in her third year at the Kateri Institute for Lay Ministry.)[[In-content Ad]]

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