Learning to be a Parishioner

In my earlier post I called my total surrender as my Starting Point Part I.  In actuality, it was the reawakening of the Truth already within me.  In the past, I have referred to myself as a revert, but that is not accurate.  I never left the Faith.  I just stopped living my Faith.  To be a revert, I would have had to have gone somewhere else or stopped believing.  As Peter said to Jesus, where else could I go?

The Holy Spirit leading me to Eucharistic Adoration was truly a “starting point”.  A starting point not for my Faith or reawakening of that Faith, but a starting point of learning.  Learning how much I did not know and how far away I had actually wandered.  But it was even more, it was a starting point for learning what it means to be a Parishioner, not just a person who believes in the Catholic Faith.

What do I mean by learning what it means to be a Parishioner and not just a Catholic?  Prior to Adoration but after my surrender, I went to Mass, tithed, went to Confession if I had committed a mortal sin, said some prayers outside of Mass, but I had no interaction with anyone else at any of the Churches at which I attended Mass. (One Deacon referred to me as a diocesan parishioner.).  I was registered at Incarnation at the time because they sent me the form after using a check at the collection, but I was not really a member of the Parish.  After I started Adoration, I was registered at St. Louis in order to get over night access, but I still was not a true Parishioner.  In my defense, it really is hard for someone who is not married and has no children to feel like there is any way to actually be a part of a Parish (especially when you are self-conscious about your appearance and abilities), but I cannot say I actually investigated if there was a way or not either.

A few people have asked me to post my “talk” to the Serra Club on Adoration.  I have done so at the end.  It was a 20 min. talk, so it is long (just forewarning you 🙂 ).  If you care to read it, you will understand my experience with Eucharistic Adoration a little more fully.  It was after that talk, though, that I realized that the blessings from Adoration had gone beyond the Chapel and even beyond the talk itself.

After a couple years of Adoration, I started meeting other Adorers.  After a couple more years, I actually got to “know” some of the other Adorers, even forming friendships.  Through these friendships, I was asked to join prayer groups, help out at different functions, and it was even through an Adorer that I learned of Serra Club.

The more active I became, the more people I met, of course.   I attended more functions, and learned of more ways to serve as an actual Parishioner.  I have taken the Ministry to the Sick Training (can’t actually participate until I receive the EMHC training, but I took the first step), I lead the Rosary and/or Divine Mercy Chaplet before Mass and other formats, etc.  For the first time in my life, I actually met with my Pastor. Now, of course, I was not the one that asked for it, but my former self would have made excuses and never gone through with the meeting. I have taken on more responsibilities with the Serra Club.

So you can see, I am slowly becoming an active Parishioner and member of the Memphis Diocese.  Why is this important?  The reason is simple, just espousing what you believe and attending Mass is not LIVING your Faith.  Are you an active participant or just a believer?  If just a believer, find your starting point and begin today.  You will not regret it.  Your Faith will increase, your joy will be immense, and you will be fulfilled as you have never been before.  Participating in Church functions, your Parish, and your community is so much more rewarding and more in line with the teachings of our Catholic Church!  Personally, I hope there is a lot more that I can do for my Parish, I am just waiting for the Holy Spirit or maybe Father to tell me what that is :).

Below is the Serra Club Talk:

My Eucharistic Adoration Journey