Faithful, present, available: Imitate Our Lady and help your parish

Have you ever asked the Lord, “What more can I do for You?” If so, here's a thought: Have you considered volunteering at your local parish?

Love for Our Lady, naturally, should draw us closer to love for the Church and real love shows itself in our actions. But where to begin?

Well, you can start by asking your pastor where help is needed. You don't need a theology degree or any special training. Just a willing heart. If you like to sing, join the choir. Good with kids? Maybe religious education could be a fit for you. Handy with tools? Old parish buildings always need a little TLC. More of a people person? Be one of the smiling faces, greeting folks at the door.

Want to serve behind the scenes? There's a ministry for that, too. Maybe you could help to count the Sunday collection. Maybe it's helping with set-up and clean-up after events. Stuffing envelopes. Writing blurbs for the bulletin, or keeping the coffee flowing after Mass. These quiet jobs might go unnoticed by most, but not by God. Remember what St. Therese of Lisieux wrote. “Nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love.”

Finally, you might also consider signing up for Eucharistic Adoration. Many parishes offer this, sometimes around-the-clock, and are always grateful for more committed adorers.

Our Lady stood by the Cross. Faithful, present, available. Volunteering, even in small ways, is how we imitate her love.

So please take that next step. Say yes. Because every act of service, no matter how small, helps build up the Body of Christ, the Church.

So there you go: a little blueprint for you, on how you can exercise your faith, show your love for Christ in the Church, and help your parish at the same time.

God bless you.