Giving something of ourselves.

Many times after a baptism I am invited to the family’s home where a party is taking place.  Everyone wants to hold the baby so they are passed around.  I wonder what the sensation is for the little one.  All these strange voices.  All these strange faces.  The heart beats do not sound like moms at all!  This scene reminds me of the people at St. Joseph the Worker.  How blest the new baby is to have all of these people being a part of their life.  How blest are we in the parish to have all of these different folks praying, singing, worshiping and being involved in our parish life?  The gift that we each bring to this faith family is incredibly important to making up the “face” of our parish.  Although we are all different in varying ways, we are recognizing that we are part of the family of God.  So each person contributes to the well-being of the parish by giving something of themselves.  You became a member of this parish because some time when you came through our doors we gave something to you: great liturgy, great education for your children, and need in times of marriage, baptism or death.  You keep coming back because the people of the parish gave when you needed us.  We now need you.  There are many ministry opportunities.  There is great need for financial support so these ministries can happen.  We need one another.  Can you give?  
Fr. Mike