Since 1997, I have had multiple assignments in addition to being a pastor. From my time in the Vocations’ Office, being a student and then Director of the Consultation Center ( a counseling agency), my grounding has been the parish ministry. I learned a while ago that I do not need to be a pastor, but, I needed to in a parish.
Honestly, this has not always been easy. Sunday mornings can become hectic, especially trying to offer Mass in more than one place. The temptation to make it “rote” is always present. Honestly, at times, I felt like I was going through the motions. The Sabbath became a task and not an experience. Plus, parish life is more than the Sunday Eucharist. The people connection is vitally important to “keep it real”. Being a pastor of more than one parish often is at the expense of the people connection. As an introvert who can be extraverted ministerially, I found it easy to lose my energy because of the need to relate to different groups with different expectations. People have often said to me that “you do not show up at something (whatever that is)”. Often, it was because of a scheduling conflict, but honestly, there were days I was too tired or my introverted self rebelled.
This morning that changed. Since I am only pastor of one parish now and director of the Center, I am looking at how I can help rebuild this part of the Kingdom. In three years, St Joseph’s (the parish I now pastor) did not have a Sunday Mass. Since I was pastor of three and my help was one of our senior priests, we needed a schedule one person could do, if an emergency arose. So, St Joseph’s has only had 4pm Mass on Saturday. We gained people, at the cost of losing the younger families, teens and young adults. I have been pulling away from the other 2 parishes that made up our group to allow the other priest to be their pastor, I decided it was time to bring a Sunday Mass back and I choose 8am to not conflict with the established schedule.
We began this morning. To start, we are keeping it simple. Acapella music and the chants we should do, no live stream, and a more relaxed feel. For the first time in a long time I felt connected to God as a I presided. I felt no pressure to “perform”. I only prayed with and for the People of God. I have forgotten the beauty of a quiet Sunday morning. What has been even more profound was that I did not need to rush anywhere. I have spent this morning in the Sabbath rest. I know this maybe unique, but multiple Masses on a Sunday may not be the answer. The renewal of the church might be is fewer Masses celebrated simply and prayerfully. Knowing I did not have to rush off was a blessing and grace.
God gave me a gift this morning of the Sabbath. I am writing this with a cat curled up next to me and enjoying the wonder of the God who made us. May he be praised.
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