April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
In Greenfield Center: Parish taps into members' talents in special stewardship campaign
It came about as the result of an idea of Rev. John J. Weyand, pastor, and the pastoral council to give parishioners an opportunity to pledge their time and talent in volunteer ministry.
"We all face so many choices in our lives. As members of a Christian community, we are called to be stewards of our faith, to be willing partners with Christ and one another in carrying on the work of God," said Father Weyand.
Opportunities
In February, the pastoral council planned the formation of a "time and talent" committee to provide each parishioner with opportunities to learn about personal commitment to ministry, choose what ministry he or she feels called to participate in, and offer immediate follow-through with contacts.The committee consisted of leaders from prayer and worship, faith formation, the sacraments and social outreach, and parish administration and finance.
At all weekend Masses between Feb. 3 and March 4, speakers from every active ministry in the parish provided an overview to parishioners. Those at Mass thus became familiar with the ministries and were able to discern the one they felt called to participate in.
Making a choice
March 3-4 was commitment weekend. Parishioners pledged their time and talent to the ministry they chose. This sign-up weekend coincided with the beginning of Lent. According to Father Weyand, it was perfect timing."Our mission as Church is to serve God and to welcome all people to God's love," he said. "Pledging one's time and talent to a ministry fulfills our mission statement as a community of God's people. It also provides an opportunity for the faithful to become actively involved and use their time and talents to benefit others."
A total of 230 people signed up on commitment weekend. The council was especially encouraged that so many young parishioners committed their time and talents.
More to come
"The development of the pastoral team to replace the pastoral council is what we will implement next," he continued. "We want to get away from the advising council and closer to an environment where parishioners can feel free to voice their concerns to a core team of parishioners that will meet monthly and listen to their concerns on a one-to-one basis."This will more closely allow us to live out our parish mission statement of collaborative ministry, as directed by the American bishops and the Second Vatican Council."
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