A Willing Witness

You and me: everyday saints

2010-11-01T11:09:00.001-06:00

Photo credit: Liturgies.net

Today is All Saints' Day, a day instituted to honor all saints, known and unknown. Let us continue to pray for the grace to become the saints we've all been called to become!

This is a beautiful prayer for today by a Benedictine monastery.

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Ministries 101: Boy Scout Troop 990

2010-10-25T10:52:00.002-05:00

MINISTRY 3: BOY SCOUT TROOP 990

Mission / purpose: The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and develops personal fitness.

Length of existence in parish: 20 years, founded in September 1990

Gifts, talents or interests that parishioners in your ministry possess: You name it we use it! Main gift is the desire to mentor boys in their journey to adulthood.

Current needs: Adult leaders to mentor boys in character building and leadership skills as they journey toward manhood

Upcoming events: There is a public calendar at www.troop990.org.

Most people don’t know our ministry (unknown fact): One hundred eight scouts from Troop 990 have made the rank of Eagle.

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Ministries 101: Religious education volunteers

2010-10-20T16:56:00.001-05:00

Ministry Expo 2009

MINISTRY 2: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS

Mission: Religious education helps form the faith of ages 3 to 10 by using a variety of learning tools.

Length of existence in parish: Since 1984 / 1985

Gifts, talents or interests that parishioners in your ministry possess: Creativity

Current needs: Always in need of an outgoing person who is willing to help teach preschool and elementary students.

Upcoming events: Religious education is offered every Sunday!

Most people don’t know our ministry (unknown fact): This is no secret, but we have fabulous gifted teachers!

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Ministries 101: A series featuring the ministries of SJN

2010-10-18T15:19:00.001-05:00

We are blessed in this parish to have around 60 ministries doing the ministry of Christ in our community and beyond. This series, Ministries 101, will feature a different ministry each post to help you learn about the different opportunities we offer in hopes of leading you to your apostolate. Keep checking back for new ideas!

Photo courtesy of sainthelens.org

MINISTRY 1: EUCHARISTIC ADORATION (ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT)

Mission: To adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

Length of existence in parish: Consistently in the past two to three years

Gifts, talents or interests that parishioners in your ministry possess: Special prayer requests are welcome, continued prayer before the Holy Eucharist brings peace, graces adn mercy to those who participate and those who are prayed for during their holy hour.

Current needs: Adorers of all ages at all hours (currently 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Upcoming events: Weekly Adoration (Wednesdays)

Most people don’t know our ministry (unknown fact): is a GIFT from God that each member of our parish should cherish and participate in.

"We should be the change that we want to see"

2010-10-01T13:37:00.000-05:00

I'm loving this song, "If You're Out There" by John Legend. The song itself is beautiful, and the message is even more powerful.

If you hear this message, wherever you stand

I'm calling every woman, calling every man

We're the generation

We can't afford to wait

The future started yesterday and we're already late

We've been looking for a song to sing

Searched for a melody

Searched for someone to lead

We've been looking for the world to change

If you feel the same

Then go on and say

If you're out there

Sing along with me

If you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud

If you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

Now, now

No more broken promises

No more call to war

Unless it's love and peace that we're really fighting for

We can destroy hunger

We can conquer hate

Put down the arms and raise your voice

We're joining hands today

Oh I was looking for a song to sing

I searched for a leader

But the leader was me

We were looking for the world to change

We can be heroes

Just go on and say

If you're out there

Sing along with me

If you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud

If you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

Now, now

Oh now, now

If you're ready we can shake the world

Believe again

It starts within

We don't have to wait for destiny

We should be the change that we want to see

If you're out there

Ooooh

If you're out there

And you're ready now

Say it loud

Scream it out

If you're out there

Sing along with me

If you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud

If you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

If you're out there

If you hear this message, wherever you stand

I'm calling every woman, calling every man

We're the generation

We can't afford to wait

The future started yesterday and we're already late

Margaret Ann

2010-09-27T14:17:00.000-05:00

An hour with our Lord….
From an anonymous SJN adorer

On many occasions, I have been honored and blessed to observe and learn from a very special adorer who comes to honor and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at SJN Eucharistic Adoration.

As I sat in prayer with eyes closed, I could only hear the faint sound of something slowly scooting along the floor at the back of the church. I did not turn around to look, only continued in restful prayer.

Now I recognize this sound immediately upon hearing it and wait in anticipation and awe to see the smile of the face that belongs to this soft, scooting noise – the sound of walker wheels, two of which are covered with tennis balls, but the sound now is easily recognizable as soon as those wheels hit the floor as this special adorer enters the church.

She slowly but deliberately ascends from the back of the church after carefully dipping into the holy water and making the sign of the cross before heading up the aisle. She sometimes is so intent on her ascent that she does not look up, but on the days she looks up and smiles at all who are there, it truly is a sight to see as her face glows with the love and peace of Christ.

Many times I have watched in silent awe as this small framed person ascends up the aisle, moving slowly, yet with no hesitation, her curved back showing signs of osteoporosis and her beautiful pure white hair. She concentrates on moving her frail limbs as she slowly, but deliberately, makes her ascent to a chair close to the front to sit close to and adore Our Lord.

I observe as she very slowly goes down on one knee, holding carefully onto her walker and bowing as low as she can and pausing before rising again with quivering arms to her chair. Many times this simple act of reverence for Our Lord brings me to tears. It takes all of her strength to bow and rise again, but that does not deter her from her task. Sometimes the ladies who bring her to church help her back up from her kneeling position so she can take a place in her chair before the Lord.

I’ve have since learned her name from our adoration coordinator. It is Margaret Ann and I look forward to hearing, seeing and observing as she so intently heads to her objective – a simple hour with the Lord.

On one occasion I had the privilege of having my sister join me for adoration, and I had told her briefly about Margaret Ann. So as soon as the familiar sound of her walker’s tennis balls and wheels hit the floor, we both smiled at one another in anticipation of observing this beautiful person on her walk up the center aisle to adore Jesus.

I have not seen Margaret Ann for some time now but can only pray that she is well and in God’s loving care. What a special blessing it has been to simply be able watch one of God’s loving children seek his heart through adoration each week.

-------

Eucharistic Adoration is available every Wednesday at SJN from 9:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. To sign up for a weekly shift to be with our Lord in this special way, contact Ann at (512) 517-5479 or e-mail her.

Young adult ministry survey

2010-09-22T16:48:00.000-05:00

Parishioners aged 18 to 35 are invited to take this short survey to help us develop effective young adult programming!

SJN Young Adult Ministry Survey
Please complete the below form to help us build the young adult ministry program at SJN.

First and last names*

Age*

Email*

Phone Number*

###

####

Address*

Street Address
Address Line 2
City	State / Province / Region
Postal / Zip Code	Country

Marital status*

Single

Married

Married with children

Single again

Occupation

How often do you participate in liturgy?

What do you think are the most important concerns
of young adults today?*

What are young adults looking for in a church
today?*

How can SJN be more responsive in its ministry
with young adults?*

What activities are you involved in, both in the
parish and in the larger community?

What gifts, talents and energy do you feel young
adults have to offer the Church?

What does being Catholic mean to you?*

Please indicate which times work best for you to
attend events (check all that apply):*

Sunday daytime

Sunday evenings

Monday daytime

Monday evenings

Tuesday daytime

Tuesday evenings

Wednesday daytime

Wednesday evenings

Thursday daytime

Thursday evenings

Friday daytime

Friday evenings

Saturday daytime

Saturday evenings

Please select the reasons you would participate in
young adult ministry (check all that apply):*

To learn more about the Church

To learn more about liturgy

To become more spiritual or grow in my faith

To learn more about theology

To feel a bigger part of the parish community

To meet new friends

To meet people of the opposite sex who are Catholic

To do service / charity work

How likely are you to attend the following events
(check all that apply):*

Bible study

Young adult annual gathering

Educational sessions (i.e. Theology on Tap)

Mass at different parishes

Eucharistic Adoration

Praise and Worship

Prayer Group

Faith sharing

Advent / Lenten daily prayer

Mission trips

Visit hospitals or nursing homes

Make sandwiches for homeless / soup kitchen

Habitat for Humanity

One-day retreat

Overnight retreat (multiple days)

Happy hour

Picnic / potluck dinners

Movie at theater

Movie night at home

Game night

Pool (billiards) night

Dance / social event

Hikes, nature walks

Camping (overnight trip)

Recreational sports team

Are you interested in serving on a Young Adult
Ministry Team / helping plan events?*

Yes

Who else do you know who may be interested in
young adult activities? Please list any contact
information you may have for them.

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Ambassadors for Growth leadership seminar

2010-09-20T14:12:00.000-05:00

The 'Ambassadors for Growth' leadership seminar Saturday was great! We've received so many compliments about our feature presenter, Thom Singer, from the many ministry leaders who attended. He's such a dynamic speaker, and SJN is blessed to have him as our own parishioner!

Read Thom's reaction to the seminar on his own blog here.

Thom Singer, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

Ministry leaders, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

Thom Singer, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

As you'll read on Thom's blog, the key idea that was taken from the seminar was the idea of our current ministry leaders going up to someone new at Mass, or any church event, every week and meeting someone they'd never before met. With the 35 leaders who attended the seminar, if they did that every Sunday and then encouraged everyone in their ministries to do the same, our parish community would be so engaged and connected! The leaders were all so enthusiastic about the idea, how simple it is to do. The seminar had such great energy!

Thanks to everyone who came and, most especially, to Thom for putting on the workshop. We hope to feature more similar workshops for our leaders in the future!

Go forth and 'build the Kingdom!'

Link time!

2010-09-15T15:58:00.001-05:00

Raye Cekuta with the Mary and Martha Guild inviting people who had recently entered the Church to learn more about her ministry at an RCIA Recruitment Evening, April 2010

10 spiritual lessons for leaders -- Women Reaching Women
10 leadership practices for altar servers -- Today's Parish
What is limiting young adults? -- Young Adult Ministries
Faithful stewards of God's gifts and mysteries -- Zenit
Forming and informing catechists -- Preparing for the Revised Roman Missal

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Ambassadors for Growth: A Workshop on Servant Leadership

2010-09-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

Ambassadors for Growth is a workshop on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon designed for the leaders of the 60 St. John Neumann Church ministries and partner ministries as well as those who have been identified as future leaders. This interactive program and facilitated discussion at SJN will inspire the various ministries in working together to serve the community as "ambassadors," welcoming the new families that are beginning to join our parish as a result of the positive buzz being created by the construction of our new church.

The workshop will be facilitated by Thom Singer, local author and international professional speaker (and member of our St. John Neumann Church family). His message of "All Opportunities Come From People" and the power of relationships will entertain, inspire and motivate the ministries to cultivate relationships with new and existing members of the parish.

We have all been called to be servant leaders in our parish, and establishing stronger relationships across the community will allow St. John Neumann Church to prosper as we continue to grow in size and in the Holy Spirit.

Please plan on having the leaders of your ministry participate in this half day program. Additionally, each ministry is encouraged to identify one or more future leader to participate in the program.

We will begin the day with Mass at 9 a.m. in the Worship Space then head over to the St. Timothy Room afterward for breakfast and our program. The event will end at noon.

For more information or to RSVP, contact me.

How will you respond?

2010-09-09T14:42:00.000-05:00

Would you like to make a difference in your community, the country or the world? Do you want to serve those in need and work for social justice? With nearly 200 programs and thousands of opportunities, RESPONSE 2011, the most comprehensive guide of faith-based service opportunities is now available -- and it's free. Volunteers serve full-time for periods of one week to one year or more across the United States and in more than 100 countries worldwide. Summer and school break opportunities are also available. Volunteers are from all walks of life -- from high school to senior citizens and every stage in between. Positions are available for both single and married volunteers, including those with children. Contact Catholic Volunteer Network to receive your free copy of RESPONSE 2011. Call toll-free at 800-543-5046 or e-mail info@catholicvolunteernetwork.org. You can also search RESPONSE 2011 at www.CatholicVolunteerNetwork.org.

Annual Report Shows Knights Are "Strong and Vibrant"

2010-08-19T11:15:00.001-05:00

Knights of Columbus in Texas were among those who gave the most in charitable giving in 2009! SJN is blessed to have a strong and vibrant Knights of Columbus chapter.

ZENIT - Annual Report Shows Knights Are "Strong and Vibrant"

Ministry leaders reveal what keeps them coming back for more

2010-08-13T14:21:00.001-05:00

I recently asked the parish ministry leaders the top reason for being involved at SJN that keeps them coming back for more, and their responses have been beautiful! What a blessed parish to have such humble, loving servant leaders.

I have never felt so loved as I do in the St. John Neumann community. I thought my world had ended in 1997 when my husband died suddenly; however, this faith community of St. John Neumann has given me life by loving and accepting me in my time of need. The Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program was just the beginning, followed by many and varied spiritual walks, which ultimately led me to the Lay Missionaries of Charity. Thank you, God, for this St. John Neumann Faith Community. Jo Creath, Lay Missionaries of Charity
Two things come to mind for me -- First, the wonderful community that my family is now a part of at St. John Neumann, largely because of the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program. It is always wonderful to be at Mass and recognize a dozen or more CRHP brothers! Also, my whole family loves the music at 5:30 p.m. Sunday mass, and there's no better way to worship than sitting in the front and singing loudly! Steve Zika, Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program
I am so thankful to be part of the loving and faithful community here. There is a great opportunity for me to grow personally, and I feel privileged to be part of the formation of our youth! Barbie Schaefer, Challenge
It's very encouraging to see how many individuals, families, young people step up (with enthusiasm) to help the less fortunate in Austin and other parts of the world. This willingness to help pulls us closer together to make a true community. Anna Marie Phelps, SVDP
When I walk into daily Mass at 8:45 in the morning and see a dozen high school teenagers at Mass, rather than sleeping in, I can't help but to come back for more! Who wouldn't when God is moving so powerfully in this community? Andrew Schuelke, Youth Ministry
I am amazed at our youth. How they are always eager to learn, and take what they have learned home. That's what has made me love SJN so much. Rachel Vaughn, Religious Education and Godly Play
I am greatly inspired by the generosity and caring of our SJN parishioners and their willingness to support schoolchildren of a different culture on the other side of the world in the communities that we serve. I am deeply inspired also by the open hearts, love and caring of the children and teens of our community. For several years, SJN children and youth have worked with us to collect school supplies and to create beautiful messages of peace and friendship through art to send to the students at the schools we support. We are continuously awed by the enthusiasm, love and creativity that our SJN youth pour into their artwork and cards and by the genuine caring that they express for children they will never meet on the other side of the world. Witnessing this loving and peaceful connection between our children and the children we serve has been a joy to the volunteers of our ministry. Chris Hamilton, ASP
From the first mass at Valley View with Fr. Vaughn to today with Fr. Bud, I have made SJN my family, my home. Diane Gele, Christian Medical Missions
I once saw a bumper sticker that said "Social Justice begins in the Womb." When Anna Steinbauer one Sunday asked for SJN parishioners to "get out of the pews" and join the SJN Culture of Life Committee and support Life issues -- This bumper sticker came to mind. We must all support and pray for greater respect and justice for ALL human life from conception till natural death, especially for those who have no voice. Mary Saniuk, Culture of Life
Always the warm, loving community spirit and wonderful friends that I share my faith with at SJN keep me coming back for more and this has been true for more than 25 years! I consider SJN a second home. Pat Flathouse, Bereavement Committee, Older Women’s Legacy
I am continually awed at our parishioners. So many good role models involved in different ministries at our church and in our community. Sandra Farrell, Flower Guild
SJN is the first church where I have been a member and have felt a true sense of community. Being involved helps me foster that sense of community and feel even more connected to my parish. Cirenia Terrazas, Gift Shop Committee

The Care Communities ministers to AIDS, cancer patients

2010-08-05T14:26:00.001-05:00

The Care Communities, a Partner Ministry of SJN, provides practical and compassionate support, through volunteer Care Teams, for people living with serious illnesses, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Listen to Outreach Coordinator Roger Temme as he introduces the organization's ministry to you and invites you to learn more! If you find you do want more information after the video, please contact me.

Tips for volunteering as a family

2010-07-30T15:18:00.000-05:00

Since family is our most important ministry, we don't want you to leave them at home while you spend time volunteering at church. Why not involve them from time to time and volunteer as a family? Spend quality time together while you all help to build God's Kingdom!

Here is a compilation of tips from different sources. Feel free to add any of your own in the comments section!

Planning fun and successful family activities shouldn't be a chore for busy parents. Most just require a little fore thought and a little planning to be successful. So don't get bogged down in the details or overwhelmed with the planning. The first thing to spoil family activities is a stressed parent, so go slow and ease into your routine. Families With Purpose, LLC
Be flexible. Sometimes family activities don't go as planned. The baby is tired, the car had a flat tire or it rained when it was supposed to be sunny and hot. Families With Purpose, LLC
Make sure the family activity is something everyone will enjoy or at least tolerate. Talk over the family activities ahead of time and get everyone's input. This will help prevent resistance later on.
Schedule your family activities on the family calendar. Plan out for a month when the family will be together and schedule the family activities accordingly. Families With Purpose, LLC
Make them a priority. Kids know when parents don't follow through with their promises and are often more hurt than they are willing to let us know. Take the time for the family activities. Your kids will thank you for those little things later. Families With Purpose, LLC
Choose hands-on projects that offer children an opportunity to feel ownership in the giving process. If Mom buys a toy and Joey drops it in the box at school, the giving ownership is mostly Mom's. But if Joey chooses the gift, wraps it and perhaps even makes a card to go with it, the giving ownership is mostly Joey's. FamilyCares
Ensure success by using projects that are simple and short-term. Complicated projects that require long-term commitment often run short on enthusiasm with children. Choose projects that require skills your child is capable of managing and that can be accomplished in a short period of time. FamilyCares
Maximize teachable moments by following your child's charitable interests. The most successful family projects respond to an interest on the part of the child. Listen for clues about issues that concern your child. Watch the news together and ask for his/her opinion on current events. Find easy-to-read stories on social issues such as homelessness, hunger and aging to share during family meals. FamilyCares
Build self-esteem by creating caring memories to last a lifetime. Use a scrapbook to keep photos of your caring projects, thank you notes, cute quotes from your children and your own responses to each project. This memory book will become a wonderful source of esteem development as your child grows older. FamilyCares
Keep the tone fun and rewarding. Doing charity projects should be an experience your child remembers as uplifting and fun. Tell jokes, give compliments, and laugh often as you work together to help others. Children will remember the “mood” more than the labor. FamilyCares
Join forces with other families who want to volunteer together. The more the merrier! Charity projects are even more fulfilling when you work on them with your family friends. FamilyCares
Be a good example of caring behaviors. Let your children see you volunteering. Talk about ways to help others with adults and in your children's presence. Avoid complaining about your volunteer work. Tell your kids how good it feels to care. FamilyCares
Remember caring is a process, not a product. It is the thought that counts. Highlight your child's intentions and efforts in charity activities. Try to ignore those times when the final product is less than perfect. If necessary, you can repair the product secretly before delivering it. FamilyCares
Reinforce your child's compassion after each project. Have an informal family meeting, perhaps over ice cream, to discuss the project, what you learned, what you felt, and what you will do next. Talking about the project will put words to the feelings and give the experience more power. FamilyCares

Mays Family, Ministry Appreciation Party, April 2010

How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation in 6 Steps | Frommers.com

2010-07-28T10:34:00.001-05:00

Ever thought about going on a vacation focused on volunteering? Whether you're looking to volunteer for an afternoon or for several weeks while on the road, organizations around the world are eager for your help. Don't know where to start? You can plan a successful volunteer vacation by following these six steps.

How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation in 6 Steps | Frommers.com

Vote now: How many SJN ministries are you a part of?

2010-07-26T15:56:00.000-05:00

Building the SJN community

2010-07-15T16:49:00.000-05:00

Many of you are familiar with the Strategic Planning process that's been going on in the parish for the last year -- almost a year and a half now. Well, we've begun to roll out what we plan to do to better our parish over the next five years and I've been put in charge of overseeing the community-building part!

The goals are:

Events Committee: Plan events that strengthen the sense of community at SJN.
Communications / Technology Committee: The committee will evaluate current efforts and identify the most effective ways to maintain communications with all parishioners and make use of existing and new technologies.
Welcome / Hospitality Committee: This committee will welcome newcomers, build community among current members, reach out to disaffected members and ensure the sick and elderly feel welcome and connected at SJN.

If you have any ideas about these goals or want to participate on one of the committees, please let me know! I look forward to strengthening our community relationships and continuing to work together to build God's Kingdom here in Westlake.

April 17, 2010, SJN Ministry Appreciation "White Party" Committee

9 things to do at SJN this month

2010-07-06T15:57:00.002-05:00

Follow A Willing Witness on Facebook

If you're not already following A Willing Witness on Facebook, visit our Facebook page and "like" us!
Fill out the Application for Ministry in eAppsDB

Step one of the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Training, required by many of our ministry opportunities, is to complete the Application for Ministry in eAppsDB. There aren't currently any July workshops in English for part two of the EIM Training, but you can fill this application out in the meantime. Keep checking the Diocese of Austin's Web site for upcoming trainings.
Complete a Gifts and Talents Survey

This is so we are well aware of the many gifts and talents of our parishioners and can inform you when there may be a special opportunity for ministry involvement. We do invite certain people to participate in ministry from time to time, and having your survey will allow us to see which of those opportunities might be of interest to you.
Introduce yourself to Director of Young Adults, Communications and Ministries Jen Crowley

Establishing a relationship with me will help me to be more intentional when advertising the various ministry opportunities of our parish. If I know you personally and where your interests lie, I will be able to better my matching gifts and opportunities skills. Plus, it helps to further solidify our parish community by building relationships.
Check out and support one of our newest ministries, the parish Gift Shop

Open Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, this ministry exists to provide easily accessible and affordable religious items to our visitors and parishioners.
Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer

The Eucharistic Adoration Ministry enables us to worship the Lord in adoration on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. While you're welcome to sign up to worship regularly on Wednesdays, feel free to drop in and say a mid-week hello to the Lord in our sanctuary!
Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood

Better yet, check out another new ministry, the Vocations Committee! Their next meeting is July 15 at 7 p.m. in the church offices. Their mission is to provide stimulus, resources and contacts for those interested in vocations to the priesthood. If you can't join the committee at this time, please pray to St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, for the Holy Spirit to guide them in their mission.
Pick up a home-cooked meal offered by the Mary and Martha Guild

If it’s too hot to cook, stop by the Morris Hall kitchen and select your evening’s meal -- home cooked without you having to cook! Current offerings are King Ranch Chicken for $10, frozen cranberry salad for $6, tortilla soup for $6 and frozen apricot salad for $6 It’s easy as pie – make your selection and take it to the office and pay by check or cash between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Your purchase will help support the
Guild’s ministries!

Meet new Associate Pastor Fr. Adrian

While it's not necessarily ministry-related, meeting our new associate pastor is an excellent thing to do in July!

6 ways to kill a ministry

2010-06-30T16:08:00.001-05:00

The leader spends too much time telling everyone else what to do instead of asking for input from other volunteers.
Volunteers want to discuss the most effective ways to minister, not be told what to do and how to do it without having the freedom to express their own ideas. Allow them to be creative and use their God-given gifts to serve as Christ's hands and feet.
The ministry focuses on solving an immediate problem, rather than coming up with a solution to implement a long-term change.
Always steer the ministry to help come up with a way to implement long-term results. How will this ministry survive and evolve once you're out of the picture?
One or two volunteers sign up to do everything, leaving nothing for others or others not being asked to help in a specific way.
When there are no tasks to be assigned because a small group of people is doing everything and other volunteers aren't getting asked to do anything, volunteers will become bored and move on and out of the ministry. This could be prevented by trying to evenly divide the tasks so everyone has an investment in the ministry and is responsible for something.
Volunteers minister in their own time without regularly meeting as a group face-to-face.
It's important to spend time on fellowship within ministry. If volunteers don't know each other, they won't see the impact and gifts everyone is using to make a difference for the same cause to which they have a call. Fellowship not only creates and deepens friendship but it allows each other the opportunity for affirmation and problem-solving, motivating each other to persevere.
One volunteer tells another what he or she must do.
Form leaders with specific areas of accountability, and then train those leaders. Make sure everyone in the ministry knows to whom they can go if they need help or have questions. This also takes the pressure off of one person being in charge of everything, sometimes resulting in ineffectiveness.
Volunteers are critical of each other in how they minister.
Work hard on establishing a loving and encouraging environment. Again, fellowship will help to support this.

Pope calls faithful to remember following Christ is their top priority

2010-06-28T10:52:00.001-05:00

ZENIT - Pontiff: Be More Radical in Following Christ

In response to yesterday's Gospel, Pope Benedict XVI reminded the faithful what it means to follow Christ. To leave everything behind, to cut off all distractions to build the Kingdom. What distractions are keeping you from being an active member of the Body of Christ?

Culture of Life Committee infuses community with respect for life

2010-06-24T10:56:00.000-05:00

Since the parish's Culture of Life Committee was formed a little over a year ago, it has firmly established a pro-life presence in the parish community, addressing life from conception until natural death. Through education, prayer and service, the committee has quite the list of accomplishments already!

Education:

Sponsored a three-part class on "End of Life Issues," during October 2009's Respect Life Month.
Dr. Cari Henry, parishioner, runs bulletin articles on Pope John Paul II's Evangelium Vitae. She's also working on chastity classes for teenagers, to be presented in fall 2010. Cari has been interviewed on Relevant Radio regarding Catholic chastity and Natural Family Planning teachings.

Prayer:

Developed a prayer for the committee.
Coordinated Adoration on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in December 2009.
Participates in the Diocese of Austin's Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living's Prayer Chain.
Participated in the 40 Days for Life campaign.
Prays regularly for Death Row inmates.

Public Policy:

Worked closely with the diocesan Public Policy Committee by sending out legislative alerts and information that support life issues.
Kevin Kerner, parishioner, facilitated the Diocese Petition Drive at our parish, against abortions funded from Travis Country property taxes.
Attended the Travis County Healthcare District meetings to object to Travis County funding for abortions.

Gabriel Project:

Visited the downtown Gabriel Project Life Center to better understand their ministry. The committee has since adopted the life center as one of its own ministries.
Visited four pregnancy centers in Austin to understand how they operate, are supported, etc.
Met with a representative from the Texas Pregnancy Care Network to better understand how this government funding is used at the life center. After learning there is no spiritual counseling made available at the life center, the Culture of Life Committee raised concern about not being able to pray with clients at the center and is awaiting a response from the diocese.

Congratulations to the Culture of Life Committee for an amazing first year of ministry at St. John Neumann Church!

Different ways to recruit volunteers

2010-06-22T16:42:00.001-05:00

I've come to learn that many folks think advertising in the bulletin is the only way to get volunteers. In reality, it's only one of many ways to invite people to serve! Marketing practices advise making announcements in three to seven different ways for people to even begin to notice.

The truth is that everyone doesn't come to Mass at SJN every weekend. They're out of town, went to a different parish or ran out of time, so if the only way you're advertising your event or asking for volunteers is through the bulletin, there's a large chunk of people who might not hear of your news until after the fact, and what help is that?

Here are some examples of the different ways you can get the word out in our parish about ministry opportunities:

Work with me, the director of communications, young adults and ministries, to let me know what your specific needs are. I meet every day with parishioners who regularly ask about different opportunities. I also maintain lists of specific ways in which people have volunteered to help from time to time -- i.e. Need someone who enjoys gardening? I've got folks! Need someone who likes working with arts and crafts? I've got folks! Let me know so I can help you.
Sponsor breakfasts after the morning Masses during the school year. At the breakfasts, be sure to have your ministry well represented with members and any other handout materials to give to the many parishioners who come to get a bite. Talk to them and share your passion for your ministry. Contact me to get on the breakfast schedule.
Find out when other ministries meet and how to publicize your activities with them. Ask to speak at their meetings and see how your ministries can help each other.
Run something in the parish eNewsletter. This e-mail goes out weekly to almost every parishioner and is more apt to be read than in the bulletin. It goes straight to people's inboxes! Requested announcements should be e-mailed to me by 2 p.m. on Thursdays.
Request something to be put on the parish Web site. The Web site reaches our visitors, members and anyone passing by our virtual home and there's plenty of space to be used! Let me know what you'd like, and I'd be happy to work with you.
Put a flyer on the bulletin board in the parish office. Submit items for approval to me.
Run something in the bulletin. Yes, this is still always an option. Deadlines are 10 days before you'd like the announcement to run. Send your requested blurb to bulletin@sjnaustin.org.

What other creative ways have you found in looking for help?

20 benefits of volunteering

2010-06-15T17:12:00.000-05:00

This is my list of 20 benefits of volunteering. Most of it I've felt myself; others have been felt by numerous other volunteers.

Helps you with interpersonal skills.
Helps you to understand others better.
Helps you to learn how to motivate others.
You learn how to deal with difficult situations.
Develop better communication skills.
Increases your knowledge about the issues related to your volunteerism.
Acquire job-related skills.
Improve job opportunities.
Become a part of community.
Feel a sense of achievement.
Find new interests and hobbies.
Gain new life experiences.
Meet a diverse range of people.
Shows people what you are passionate about.
Increased life expectancy.
Improve others' lives.
Increased confidence.
Boosts self-esteem.
Gives you a sense of mastery over your life.
Enhanced sense of identity.

Share your views on volunteerism

2010-06-10T15:51:00.002-05:00

If you are 40 years of age or older, the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service wants to hear from you. CNVS is a national membership organization of Christian volunteer and mission programs that fosters and promotes full-time national and international service opportunities. Participate in a brief online survey, and you can help volunteers like yourself find more opportunities that match their interests. Parishes across the country are participating. CNVS will treat the parish with the most survey participants to a day or complimentary coffee and refreshments following Sunday Masses. Take the survey today at www.cnvs.org/survey.

Interested in helping our parishioners find work?

2010-06-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG

SJN would like to get together some people who would like to help start a ministry for our parishioners who are job seekers! This ministry would provide job-seeking parishioners encouragement, information, networking, spiritual guidance and job search skills training in a Christian setting. Please contact me if you would be interested in helping us get this ministry started!

Thank you to Fr. Mark Hamlet's reception volunteers

2010-06-04T10:33:00.001-05:00

A big thank you goes out to the many volunteers who helped out at Fr. Mark Hamlet's reception on May 30! They came through on short notice and made sure the event went beautifully.

Dee McKenzie
Nancy Biehler
Hilary Olson
Jon Olson
Mary Ann Condon
Maria Cuevas
Alan Graham
Tricia Graham
Chris Hamilton
Dorinda Hickey
Nikki James-Werkman
Lance Kappel
Kathleen Luedke
Julie Martin
Mike May
Brent Palin
DeeAnn Paul
Carol Ramberg
Barbie Schaefer
Fran Sonstein
Carol Staha
Jamie Trahan

If you're interested in helping out at parish events (setup, greeting, kitchen, cleanup, food, etc.), let us know! We have several events throughout the year that could use your service.

The Culture of Life and the Church’s mission

2010-05-28T15:52:00.000-05:00

Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Cari Henry, St. John Neumann Church parishioner and Culture of Life Committee education coordinator.

Joining the Culture of Life Committee has been a wonderful blessing in my life. In part, because of the work we do—with every action, we are helping someone rediscover his or her precious gift of life.

But also because the core message of the Culture of Life Committee highlights the Church’s teaching about hope for our own salvation. It says that anyone, regardless of the circumstances at birth, has the potential for greatness (and goodness). It says that anyone, regardless of the sins committed, can find redemption. And it states that every person, regardless of the state of the body (or mind), has the same inherent dignity as others.

Thus, the participation in the Culture of Life Committee is a magnificent way to abide by the Church’s moral teachings as well as to be a living example of the Church’s fundamental theology! And, regardless of talent, there is a way for everyone and anyone to be involved. In our efforts to defend the unborn, the dying, the disabled, the condemned, the family and the sanctity of marriage, we need prayer warriors, educators, priests, political activists, crisis handlers, marketing gurus, scientists, ethicists, health-care professionals, theologians and anyone else in-between. Please consider joining our endeavor.

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Cari Worley Henry, MD, is a family physician who believes healing only occurs when the body, mind and spirit are fully integrated. She further believes the theology and teachings of the Catholic Church offer the best path toward this healing. She, therefore, spends her time educating on Catholic theology and its relationship to health care. She has a special interest in encouraging holiness in our families and hopes that by targeting the hearts of women, this can be achieved. Her favorite topics are Natural Family Planning, Theology of the Body and The New Feminism. She serves as the education coordinator for the Culture of Life Committee at SJN as well as the secretary for the Catholic Physicians Guild.

Diocesan ministry opportunities, 5/24

2010-05-24T11:32:00.000-05:00

Little Sisters of the Poor. Catholic college-age women from anywhere in the United States are invited to serve the elderly poor with the Little Sisters of the Poor from Alabama to Washington as hospitality aides, activity aides, in kitchen and dining services or nursing assistants / nurses. Send a brief e-mail introducing yourself and request an application from Sr. Constance at serenity@littlesistersofthepoor.org, call (410) 744-9367 or visit www.LittleSistersOfThePoor.org.
Gabriel Project Training. There will be a Gabriel Project Angel Training on June 5 at St. William Parish in Round Rock from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch and refreshments will be provided). Registration is due by May 31. Space is limited. For more information, call (512) 949-2486 or e-mail Yvonne Saldaña at yvonne-saldana@austindiocese.org.

Diocesan ministry opportunities

2010-05-17T11:44:00.000-05:00

Every Friday, the Diocese of Austin sends out an electronic newsletter called "The Friday E-Pistle," to which anyone can subscribe. To subscribe, send an e-mail to Diocesan Director of Communications Christian Gonzalez at christian-gonzalez@austindiocese.org.

The diocesan ministry opportunities listed in last week's E-pistle include:

Diocesan Law Project needs volunteer interpreters
Spanish interpreters are needed to help people in the community get legal assistance. Two clinics a week are offered in Austin, Martin Clinic at 1601 Haskell St., on Monday evenings and Webb Clinic at 601 E. St. Johns Ave.; both are held in the school cafeteria. Many lawyers are donating their services for free but need interpreters to assist them. For more information, contact Linda Conway at (512) 949-2419.

Choir rehearsals
The following is the schedule for the rehearsals for the two upcoming ordinations. We invite all musicians to attend. E-mail Cheryl Maxwell at cheryl-maxwell@austindiocese.org if you plan to participate.

• May 15: Combined Transitional and Priest Rehearsal, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. Co-directed by Ren MacNary and Morris Stevens.
• May 20: Austin Regional Rehearsal, 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Edward's University. Directed by Morris Stevens.

Gabriel Project Life Center
The Gabriel Project Life Center is in need of gently-used maternity clothes. Thanks to St. Catherine of Siena Parish’s Pro-Life Team and G.I.F.T. for the beautiful and generous gifts from the baby shower you hosted for the Gabriel Project Life Center. For more information, contact Pamela Otten at pamela-otten@austindiocese.org.

Gabriel Project Training
There will be a Gabriel Project Angel Training on June 5 at St. William Parish in Round Rock from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch and refreshments will be provided). Registration is due by May 31. Space is limited. For more information, call (512) 949-2486 or e-mail Briana Feiler at briana-feiler@austindiocese.org.

What it means to serve

2010-05-13T17:08:00.001-05:00

Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Darlene Burke, St. John Neumann Church parishioner and group leader for the SJN Great Adventure Bible Study

Christ had a simple message for all of us:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." ~ John 13:34

Loving one another means wanting to make the lives of those we love better than they are today and wanting the very best for those around us. It means being willing to selflessly give of our gifts, time and talents to serve one another to see lives improved. By serving one another within our community -- whether it's our school community, our parish community, the city, state or country in which we live -- we help to improve upon the lives of those who are part of that community and, as such, improve the community as a whole. What "service" means differs from person to person and is dependent on a number of factors.

The idea of "serving" is one that can be uncomfortable to some in today's world, as many believe that it requires us to be "subservient" to others. Our desire to be leaders makes this a difficult concept. There are times in which our roles of service DO require us to be subservient, but we are more often called to serve in ways that utilize the gifts and strengths given to us by God for the very purpose of sharing them with others. When we look at the idea of "serving" as an act of love, we can see how serving others is already an everyday part of our lives and that the possibilities of expanding that act are limitless!

Our director of ministries, Jen Crowley, recently posted the following:

Many folks think the Church wants them to volunteer in as many ministries as possible, spending all their free time in their parishes, giving generously of themselves in every way. As a matter of fact, that's the opposite of what we want you to do! While we want you to be good stewards of your time and talents and give of yourselves to your parish community, we also recognize that your most important ministry is at home -- with your family.

How do we know where we can best be of service to others?

The most important thing is to discern where it is God wants us to be. We must be willing to serve God first and foremost, and we must trust in the path He sets forth for us. Oftentimes we struggle with where we might like to be or think we are most needed and where God really wants us to be. Serving God means trusting God, and while we may want to go out and serve the world by saving every single unborn baby around, God may have other plans for us. As the source of our gifts, talents and time He may see a *better* way for us to serve and knows where we can best be suited in His bigger plan for us and for those around us.

The most critical part of the discernment process is to pray. We can pray for clarity to help us identify that which God has given us and wants for us to share as well as for the opportunities in which we can best serve to become clear to us. Being willing to pray for clarity requires that we must also be willing to listen. God will always reveal Himself to us and answer our prayers if we are willing to open our eyes and minds and, most importantly, our hearts to the message He is sending. For me, personally, I find that there are things that stay on my heart or present themselves over and over and over again. It's taken me years and years to figure this out, but when this happens, I know it's God way of telling me that whatever it is, it's something to which I need to pay close attention. Sometimes the "listening" comes in the form of an opportunity or person placed in my path or even "that little voice" in my head telling me something I need to hear. I have learned to trust and be willing to listen to those messages, especially when they have to do with something about which I have been praying.

How can we serve?

Part of the process of prayer is asking for God's direction in where He sees us best able to give of ourselves. We can also look at our everyday actions in determining ways in which we can serve, keeping in mind that giving doesn't require being part of an "organized" ministry. We may already be showing our love through service in ways that we haven't yet realized!

As Ms. Crowley noted above, our families are our most important ministries. We often run on autopilot and overlook the needs of those closest to us. We can look around our home and ask ourselves some very simple questions about service in our homes. As a wife, do we love our husbands the way in which they need to be loved? Are we serving our marriage by giving it the importance and the time that it deserves? Serving our spouses can be as simple as putting the kids to bed and taking the time to sit down and talk together. If service is an act of love, then spending time together rather than turning on the TV or retreating to the Internet can be the simplest way to say, "I love you," and we serve one another.

Are we serving our children? It's hard sometimes NOT to feel as though we exist for the sole purpose of serving our children! Preparing three meals a day, doing laundry, doing homework, shuttling kids from activity to activity, making costumes for school plays -- it really does feel like it never ends, making it hard to even consider asking ourselves, "Even with all of that, are we still giving our children everything that they need?" By "everything," I mean that which they need to be loving members of their own communities. Do they feel loved and cherished? Do they know that we love them as the beautiful gifts of God that they are? Are we taking the time to spend a few minutes with them just "being" and loving them in the way that they need to be loved?

If we move outside our homes, we have the opportunity to serve in many ways. We serve through organized ministries in our parish such as the Alpha Prison Ministry, participating in Boy Scouts, participating in a Bible study, singing in the choir, Divine Mercy Prayer Group, Familia, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and the list goes on and on. We also have the opportunity to serve our community outside of our parish by running for public office, volunteering with the myriad of charities that exist, participating in trash clean-up days and, in our schools, we can be a member of our PTO, spend time being a cafeteria volunteer (I like to think of my time giving knives, forks, spoons and napkins, opening containers, cleaning up spilled drinks for 200+ children as penance!), help the teacher with prep work or even chaperone a field trip. Sometimes time is not one of the many gifts we are given and we need instead to be limited to making a donation to help a not-for-profit financially.

Serving seems most obvious to us when we think of taking part in any of these organized activities or foundations, but we often forget that sometimes the most powerful and simple way of serving will cost us nothing but a few seconds of our time and a willingness to do so -- a smile. A very well-known fast food chain notes that "Smiles are free." If we simply stop for a second or two and make the effort to smile at someone, we are telling them that they matter. If it's the fellow asking for change on the corner, we can roll down our windows, smile and say, "God Bless You." If it's the cashier at the grocery store, we can smile and ask, "How is your day going?" As the recent Mobile Loaves & Fishes campaign reminds us with their "I Am Here" campaign, serving others can be as simple as letting them know that you see them and KNOW that they are there. That can be the most significant act of caring and loving around -- a profound, yet simple, act of service.

If we are serving God by trusting Him and following His will and we are selflessly serving each other in our families and throughout our communities, we become part of a community that gives of itself and enriches others through love and caring. It truly is better to give than to receive, and by giving, we are renewed. Just imagine, it's the most renewable energy source possible, and it's created by God!

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Darlene Burke is a wife, mother of two and freelance web developer. She has been married to Gibbons since May 1999, and they have two children; Isabel and Eliot. Before becoming a mother, Darlene trained to be a chef, worked as a retail brokerage assistant in Canada, as a product and project manager at Dow Jones Telerate (where she met her husband, Gibbons) and then as an international project manager for E*TRADE, helping to develop their international brokerage partnerships. Darlene was confirmed into the Catholic Church in December 2007 and is happy to be home. She went through the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat and RCIA at SJN and now serves as a group leader for the Great Adventure Bible Study. Follow her blog, Practically Catholic.

How SJN volunteers are changing the face of Austin

2010-05-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

Our 60+ ministries and 1,460 ministry members and volunteers are making a difference. They are going out beyond parish walls and into the community, visibly changing the way Austin serves our own and helps each other out. We do not sit around and wait for someone else to do something -- we go out and build the Kingdom ... one project at a time.

The Culture of Life Committee participated in this spring's 40 Days for Life Campaign, in which our city united with 211 other cities to fast, pray, hold peaceful vigils and reach out to the community. The committee participated in the effort that maintained prayer vigils at two abortion facilities. Through this campaign in Austin, 10 women have chosen life for children they were going to abort and three post-abortive women finally started to seek healing from having an abortion in their past.

The Habitat for Humanity Partner Ministry is part of the Catholic Build, which is building for the Valencia family right now. Manuel and Maria Valencia are from Tamaulipas, Mexico. They have been married 40 years and have nine children! Currently, they live with their daughter in a trailer where eight people share three bedrooms, and the children sleep on mattresses in the living room. Their 19-year-old and 17-year-old will be living with them in their new Habitat home!

Partner Ministry Mobile Loaves & Fishes, which began out of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, provides food, clothing and dignity to the city's people in need by making daily truck runs on trucks loaded with food, clothing and volunteers. This year, they will have served over 2,000,000 meals since their inception in 1998. They currently have a large-scale campaign going on, called "I Am Here" that seeks to solve the problem of people ignoring the homeless because they don't know how to help. The campaign encourages text donations to Mobile Loaves & Fishes so that any moment someone feels moved to help, it’s as simple as sending a text message.

The Summit and Querencia Communion Service Teams regularly bring Holy Communion to homebound Catholics living at the Summit at Westlake Hills and Querencia at Barton Creek. If they can't make it to Mass at the parish, we go to them!

Our Society of St. Vincent de Paul Partner Ministry has helped family after family in need with rent, utilities, food and emotional support. Our particular chapter also helps out the SVDP chapters of Sacred Heart Church and St. Paul Church, both here in Austin. Their slogan demonstrates the ministry they so love to serve, "Thank you for helping us help others!"

There are so many ways our parishioners seek to make a change, whether it be formally in one of our ministries or informally in the ways in which they try to live their own everyday lives. We take to heart what it means to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ today and pray that our efforts might be enough to win a few for Him.

"I have become all things to all, to save at least some." ~1 Corinthians 9:22b

The future of lay ministry as SJN grows

2010-05-06T15:00:00.000-05:00

Have you checked out the progress of the construction of our church? It seems like every day something new pops up! It's been so exciting to witness, and everyone around the parish community has been buzzing about eventually moving in there. The reality of it all is coming to beautiful fruition!

One thing that's been on my mind amidst the excitement of it all is how large the parish community will grow in parishioners once the church is open! We have no doubt that large numbers of people will be joining the parish and, inevitably, getting involved. This is, no doubt, a blessing in which to look forward, but, at the same time, are we ready?

Between religious education programs, our Mother's Day Out preschool program, sacramental requests and lay ministry life, there's a lot to prepare and make ready for the increase in participation. There are a plethora of ministries to which we can invite new families to affiliate. I'm certain the current 59 parish and partner ministries leap with joy when visualizing the increase in numbers, but we do have to remember the logistics of successful growth.

Things that will be important for ministries and their leaders to remember include:

Recommitting to the ministry's vision. Know from where the ministry has come and where you believe God is taking the ministry. Be able to clearly communicate this vision to new members and allow participants to own it.
Equipping volunteers for the work of the ministry -- recruiting, training and motivating. Delegate and job-share! Someone who just attends meetings is not being challenged or engaged enough -- allow and encourage them the opportunity to be an active builder of the Kingdom of God.
Being open to doing ministry a new or different way. Step outside that box and let go of tradition. Make sure people feel comfortable suggesting new ideas and then empower them to follow through and see where it takes the ministry. Ministry is attractive when it's innovative, changing and current.
Keeping a positive, faith-filled, can-do attitude.

Lastly, I've always believed that successful ministry must be so in God's eyes -- not our own -- and that service is not about quantity, it's about quality. Regardless of numbers, whether it's three people or 50 people, the most important things are that the work of God is getting done and that people feel loved. In so doing, we are successfully serving as the hands of feet of Jesus Christ.

Church construction, May 6, 2010

5 questions to help you discern starting a ministry

2010-05-03T14:34:00.000-05:00

There are a plethora of ministry opportunities at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, but what if you feel called to build God's Kingdom in an area that hasn't yet been given the attention of a specific ministry? Great question!

Does this ministry already exist within the parish, either as a formal ministry all its own or as an effort of a particular ministry?
Take a look at the Web site, pick up a ministries brochure from the church or church office or call the church office to find out! No need to reinvent the wheel.
If not, is this a cause about which I feel very passionate?
Starting a ministry can be very time intensive and an effort that might not show its fruits until further down the road. Leading this type of project takes someone who will persevere and do all it takes to get a successful ministry off the ground. If you're not sure you can commit to this type of requirement, reconsider starting an entire ministry. Talk to ministry leaders who oversee a similar cause; they might be interested in adopting the effort as a focus of their ministry.
Can I put my energy toward something else in the parish?
Think of the possibilities of what you could do with your time in the parish if you weren't busy starting a ministry from scratch. What about a Bible study? Or volunteering with your family in a ministry that has a similar cause? Your time, especially that spent with your family, has value, too, and it's important to look at the cost of everything in terms of the ministries in which you volunteer and the time you spend doing it as well.
Have I prayed about the calling to start this ministry?

Photo courtesy of Compassion InternationalA significant amount of time spent reflecting and going to prayer about this idea is essential. You want to be sure that you want to see this idea through because you feel it's where God is leading you -- not because of any self-driven motives.
Am I a good leader?
Leadership skills will be a primary reason this ministry idea succeeds or fails. Dealing with conflict or anger, running a meeting, managing volunteers, building confidence and empowering small groups are tasks frequently practiced by ministry leaders. Remember that good leaders are also good servants, and you will have to be willing to be open to different ideas and possibilities.

Which of these questions is the most challenging for you? Are there ministry ideas in your head that you need to give yourself permission to put aside?

Who is really hungry?

2010-04-29T11:31:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: This is a guest post from Alan Graham, president of SJN Partner Ministry Mobile Loaves & Fishes

This year Mobile Loaves & Fishes will serve over 500,000 thousand meals and will probably exceed having served over 2,000,000 (yes! Two million!) since our inception in 1998. This is incredible, but what is astonishing is how many people it took to deliver those meals to the streets directly where people are. Today we have nearly 13,000 volunteers in six cities throughout the United States, dedicated to serving these meals with love. Every night these 17 catering trucks loaded with food, clothing and volunteers head out on to their respective streets to serve these meals. With such a large army it begs the question of who is really hungry.

Although Mobile Loaves & Fishes is known as a feeding ministry, what we really do is to empower people into a lifestyle of service to our brothers and sisters who live on the streets. This is really important on a number of levels. To have thousands of people working every month donating their time in service to others is really something. I read once where each volunteer hour has an economic value of about $17! WOW! When you empower so many people in service the way we do, paradigms and stereotypes change. When paradigms and stereotypes change, you suddenly find yourself with an army of advocates. This is one of the powerful resource engines for Mobile Loaves & Fishes.

Now we can advocate for homes. Go to www.mlfnow.org/HOW to take a look at what we are doing to make people “homeful.” To make people “homeful,” we really need to understand what home is. In the recently published groundbreaking book, "Beyond Homelessness," the authors identify eight characteristics of home:

1. Home is a place of permanence.
2. Home is a dwelling place.
3. Home is a storied place.
4. Home is a safe resting place.
5. Home is a place of hospitality.
6. Home is a place of embodied inhabitation.
7. Home is a place of orientation.
8. Home is a place of affiliation and belonging.

Who is really hungry? We all are! Food is merely the conduit to connect human to human, heart to heart. Some will be nourished physically, while others will be nourished spiritually. If you want to become a part of our army, go check out www.mlfnow.org or e-mail us at info@mlfnow.org.

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Alan Graham is the president and founding member of Mobile Loaves & Fishes. He is married (since 1984) to Tricia, and they have four children; Decker, Taylor, Marlee and Keaton as well as a niece, Samantha, whom they have raised. Alan formerly was in the real estate development, investment, management and brokerage business in Austin, Texas, having founded Trilogy Development, Inc. and co-founded The Lynxs Group, developers of on-airport air cargo facilities. It has been through the love for Jesus Christ that Alan is called to serve in this ministry, enabling others to serve their brothers and sisters in need.

The busy Catholic's volunteer regime

2010-04-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

Your goal Volunteer for a short time a week and still have time for your life outside church.

Your plan Pick any ministry opportunity weekly to be a good steward of your time and talent.

Your payoff You'll do your part to build the Kingdom of God here on Earth, however crammed or crazy your schedule is!

No time? No problem! Whether you've been involved in ministry life before or you're set to get involved today, you can volunteer anywhere with this easy plan. I've included opportunities for volunteering from home for weeks when you're too time-crunched to make it out somewhere. Get involved, easy!

Christian Life
Coffee and Donut Social Hosts (While you're already at church for Mass)
Host the coffee and donut social after 9 a.m. Mass on Sundays. Go to Randalls or HEB before the first of the month to get orange juice and order donuts. Pick up donuts and set up in Morris Hall on the Sunday you volunteer. Serve water, orange juice, coffee and donuts to parishioners, and clean up afterward.

Faith Formation

Children's Special Event Volunteers
Plan or lead activities for the parish's special events for children, including Vacation Religion School, the Christmas Pageant, Stations of the Cross, Our Lady of Guadalupe Festival and others. Short-term projects!

Liturgy and Sacred Music
Altar Ministry (Serve from home)
Care for alter linens by laundering and pressing the linens used during the liturgy. Pick up linens at the church then return them after Mass on weekdays or after the Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass. With the current amount of volunteers, you would only do this once every two months.

Altar Servers (While you're already at church for Mass)
Children in the fourth to 12th grades assist the presider during the celebration of the liturgy on Sunday and holy days.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (While you're already at church for Mass)
Those who've been confirmed in the Catholic Church assist with distribution of Holy Communion during the celebration of the liturgy on Sunday.

Readers (While you're already at church for Mass)
Those who've been confirmed in the Catholic Church proclaim the Word of God during the liturgy.

Ushers (While you're already at church for Mass)
Assist the assembly during the liturgy with greeting, seating, collection and answering questions.

Social Outreach

Christian Medical Missions
Accompany medical teams to Central America to minister to indigenous people on one-week trips offered throughout the year.

Habitat for Humanity
Assist in building one to two homes per year for people in the Diocese of Austin by providing labor and / or food for the laborers. Short-term project!

Mary and Martha Guild (Serve from home)
Provide hospitality and food for parishioners for special occasions and events. Assist families with meals in their home when needed due to illness. Cut, embroider and sew baptismal garments and prayer shawls.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Several opportunities for the busy person to volunteer with MLF exist. Pick up Great Harvest Bread and Starbucks treats various times during the week. Breads must be sorted and stored. Purchase eggs once per month (more if you like), boil them at home and bring them back to the commissary. Help with various aspects of the Annual MLF Wine Tasting and Auction (late April or early May), including soliciting donations, handling auction paperwork, and staffing auction tables and check-out at the event. Every four to six weeks, go to the Capital Area Food Bank to pick up a food order of free or low cost food. Care for various commissary landscaping areas. The list goes on!

Stewardship

Special Events Volunteers
Assist in planning and organizing special parish events throughout the year. Short-term projects!

Ministry Appreciation Mass, Party a success!

2010-04-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to thank everyone who helped put on last weekend's Ministry Appreciation Mass and Reception!

Appreciation Committee
Nancy Biehler
Millie Brady
Pat Flathouse
Patty Floyd
Cari Henry
Carrie Hooper
Sue Rampick

Event volunteers
Mary Lou Ancira
David Baker
Darlene Burke
Rachel Cooper and her friend Jessica
Donia Crouch
Anastasia Curtis
Virgil Flathouse
Mike Floyd
Clarence Griggs
Bob Karasch
Mary and Kevin Killebrew
Gregg Kronenberger
Chuck Malburg
Mary Martin
Dee McKenzie
Doug Murrell
Sharon and Ed Neusel
Wanda Neuvar
Catherine Ochoa
Ethel and David Richard
Scott Schaefer
Brian and Joanne Senn
Lincoln Valdez
and others!

The event was a success, even with the rain! A good time was had by all. Look for pictures to post soon! Thanks to everyone who came out and helped us recognize and appreciate the many contributions to our parish and community by so many ministry members and volunteers.

Family is your most important ministry

2010-04-13T17:13:00.002-05:00

The Giammona Family

Many folks think the Church wants them to volunteer in as many ministries as possible, spending all their free time up in their parishes, giving generously of themselves in every way. As a matter of fact, that's the opposite of what we want you to do! While we want you to be good stewards of your time and talents and give of yourselves to your parish community, we also recognize that your most important ministry is at home -- with your family.

"One of the most important things we will ever do is tend to our family. Our families are far more important than our occupation, service and personal ambition. As a husband, a wife and a parent, God does not want us to be ignorant of His instructions on how to fulfill His will in these important roles as His disciples."
~ Pastor Craig Castor, Founder of Family Discipleship Ministries

If you spend countless hours volunteering or getting programs started at your parish and start to sacrifice quality time spent with your loved ones, you will eventually begin to feel the effects of being away from your family. Some of your family members might even begin to resent your being away so much and, in turn, start to see the Church negatively instead of appreciating how it is that you try to give all that you have back to the Lord.

So what's the solution? Find a balance.

Greg Leith, part of a national speaking team for Family Life Ministries, offered the following tips to balance family and ministry in a 2006 article of the journal, "Enrichment."

Plan time for your family each week in advance, and stick to those plans.
Learn to say, "no," to some ministry opportunities when needed. Discern what you believe God is calling you to, not what others are calling you to do for them.
If your ministry requires constant, excessive hours, consider other ways to accomplish the task. Ask the Lord to send others to help and then watch Him go to work. Pray for extraordinary results from the time you put into your ministry, then go home and minister to the other ministry God gave you -- your family.

Top 10 Web sites volunteers should bookmark

2010-04-06T16:57:00.000-05:00

As someone involved in ministry, you are often looked to for providing information to various folks about all things Catholic-, St. John Neumann- or ministry-related. Whether it's a client, student or fellow parishioner to whom you're ministering, you want to be in-the-know so you can point people looking for answers in the right direction. To be prepared (and for your own enjoyment), regularly visit these Web sites:

Let us know with what other Catholic Web sites you keep up!

SVDP Society serves poorest of the poor

2010-04-01T15:58:00.003-06:00

Editor's note: This is a guest post from Julie Benkoski, St. John Neumann parishioner and member of the SJN chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; for He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” (Lk 4: 20)

During this sacred season of Easter, we are reminded of the Lord’s gift of Himself on the cross made present in the Eucharist and which is the foundation for every act of charity. Listening yet again to the words of the Passion, we are reminded of the intense suffering that our Lord Jesus Christ endured for all of mankind. After having called the 12 to follow Him, Jesus kept them at His side and lived with them, imparting His teaching of salvation to them through word and deed, and, finally, He sent them out to do His will. But before they were sent out to do His work, He made it quite clear that, “you will always have the poor with you” and that any act of charity in His name would bring His healing presence there in the midst of them.

Emulating the Lord’s humanitarian acts of charity, St. Vincent, the patron saint of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, made it his life work to bring the kingdom of Heaven to all those in need here on earth, the essential plan of God. Our SVDP ministry brings spiritual and corporal healing to the working poor and poorest of the poor right here in our own community. Providing basic living necessities such a rent, utilities, food, clothing, prescription medications, we serve over 50 families each month. And because of the generous support of the parishioners here at SJN, we have been enabled to reach out to more of those we are called to serve: the abandoned, neglected and forgotten.

And so God continues to challenge us all to take up His cross and do His work. Scripture tells us that it is in giving that we receive but never more so than when bringing the healing of our Lord to those who are so vulnerable…those close to losing their homes, those without electricity, parents unable to feed their children, those who are ill and without prescription medications… As a member of SVDP and following our Lord as a true disciple, you will be blessed and enriched beyond all imagining. The joy and happiness you will feel when you know your actions have made a real difference in the lives of those who suffer will surpass all other temporary, materialistic producing forms of happiness. The intense, spirit-nourishing goodness that will flow into your soul is just as passionate as the pain that we felt when listening to the words of the Passion. The Lord told His disciples to “come, follow me and I will bring you light.” The lightness of God’s work will fill your entire being when acting on behalf of the ministry of SVDP.

Finally, as we come to the end of our annual SVDP Lenten Food drive, we ask everyone to remember those who hunger and struggle each day to feed their children. Truly, hunger pains are painful to the 18,000+ children in our community who suffer from ‘food insecurity.’ The San Francisco Javier Catholic Church food pantry will receive our donations. Serving a large, low income populated area; this tiny pantry struggles each day to provide the needed food. Please, remember the poor as we celebrate the goodness and promises of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, and return your nutritious, nonperishable food to the hallway past the church offices in the pastoral center by April 11. If you don’t have time to shop, financial donations are gladly accepted; just indicate that the funds are for the Food Drive.

We are all challenged to bring the love and hope of our risen Lord Jesus Christ to the poor; please prayerfully consider becoming a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It is only in giving to others that we can find that special, spiritual happiness that is rooted in and through our union with our sweet Lord Jesus Christ!

Thank you for helping us help others!

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Julie Benkoski is the immediate past president of the SJN conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and has been a Vincentian for over 10 years. She is a board member of the Austin diocesan SVDP Council and vice president of the SVDP South Austin District Council. Julie has been an SJN parishioner for the past 23 years and has served on the Parish Council and on countless parish committees and organizations, including the Lay Missionaries of Charity. She is married to Harold, who is a past grand knight of the SJN Knights of Columbus council. Julie has her own law practice, which focuses in the areas of estate planning, probate and mediation. Besides her church work and career, she loves riding and jumping her horse, Raphael, and enjoys her Catholic dog, Dixi, and three kitties.

Staff on "Serving": Michael Gormley

2010-03-31T13:53:00.002-06:00

One of the more recent SJN staff members is Michael Gormley, aka "Gomer," having joined the staff in summer 2009. We recently had the chance to find out more about him and his philosophy on the idea of what it means to serve.

What is your job title at SJN?

Pastoral Associate of Youth Ministry

How long have you been a parishioner at this parish?

Since July 1, 2009

What parish ministries are you involved in, outside of your official job description?

Knights of Columbus, Between the Masses, RCIA and Vacation Religion School. Outside of the parish, I'm involved with Theology on Tap.

Why do you think it's important to be involved in the parish?

It is important to be involved directly in the parish life as well as from the heart of the parish to the community. Within the parish life, my mission is, largely, evangelization and catechesis because I think that is where my talents are the most. I do it because Jesus is teaching me gratitude. I need to remember that all is gift and life is grace, so I surround myself with the mission of spreading His grace to others. It is just as important to spiritually feed others as it is to allow yourself to be fed by others.

Who is a saint you admire or spiritual role model you look toward for inspiration? Why?

My patron saints are Joseph because he was a true man, husband and father; Francis because he unwaveringly responded to God's call in his life; Thomas Aquinas because he devoted his whole life to faith and reason; and, finally, Ignatius of Loyola, who was the tireless soldier of the Truth and a constant fighter of his own vices. These four saints inspire me to greatness and push me away from mediocrity, both in my personal life and in my ministry.

What ministries would you like to see at SJN that don't already exist?

Two things: First, I would like to see parish missions, days of praise, big liturgies -- events done at this church where the whole purpose is simply to lift up the name of Jesus, not even have a catechetical component, save that of teaching people how to pray and praise Him. Second, I would like to see existing ministries intentionally, purposefully, carve out places within their ministries for the teens of our parish to serve alongside as equal laborers in the vineyard. I want a culture of doing ministry at SJN that is ordered toward the full incorporation of the young Church within the parish. My dream is to have teens as actively recruited for ministries as adults.

Deciding which ministry to join

2010-03-30T13:47:00.000-06:00

Thinking about volunteering or getting involved in the parish? Most people visit the parish Web site or pick up a ministries brochure to see what kind of opportunities St. John Neumann Church offers to parishioners wishing to dig a little deeper in putting their faith into action. Once people see that we have 56+ ministries, each with several different ways to get involved, some people can get pretty overwhelmed with the many choices. Understandably. Enter in the parish director of ministries.

Jen Crowley, director of ministries, is on staff full-time to help parishioners get involved. Her primary ministry at SJN is to direct discerning parishioners toward whatever volunteer or fellowship opportunity might best suit them.

Through a Gifts and Talents Survey to chatting one-on-one about past experiences and current interests to ministry events, such as the annual Ministry Expo, Jen serves to plug each parishioner into the parish. She has the most current information about news and events happening with the different ministries and will be able to help you narrow down your choices.

There are one-time opportunities, long-term opportunities, short-term opportunities, at-home opportunities, youth opportunities -- something for everyone!

So if you're feeling a little overwhelmed with the long list of ministries or if you don't have a clue as to where you'd like to serve, try contacting Jen to see how she can help you. It's what she's here for, and she's happy to help!

Gift Shop coming soon to SJN!

2010-03-26T10:47:00.000-06:00

Did you know that a parish Gift Shop Committee has been working hard to get a gift shop started in our parish? It's true! They're nearing the final stages of putting together a business plan, ordering inventory and getting final approval from all appropriate parties, and they hope to have a shop up and running this summer.

Until the new church building is built, the gift shop will consist of a kiosk and display case in the entryway to Morris Hall in the Pastoral Office building. The committee hopes to feature items such as baptism items, rosaries, metals, holy cards, Bibles, crosses and more!

Completely run by volunteers, the committee will need a good list of willing parishioners willing to volunteer their time and talent in working the gift shop. Hours will be:

Sundays, 8 to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays, 9 to 11 a.m.
Wednesdays, 4 to 6 p.m.

If a strong list of volunteers is gathered, the shop will be able to expand its hours if demand requires it.

Look for more news to come about the shop's grand opening, and let us know if you're interested in serving on the committee or volunteering to work a few hours at the shop when you're available!

This cross is offered from Autom, one of the vendors the gift shop will use. Look for items like this in the gift shop, set to open soon!

How To: Get Ethics and Integrity in Ministry certified

2010-03-23T16:05:00.001-06:00

The Diocese of Austin requires anyone in a parish who ministers to or with minors or vulnerable adults (i.e. elderly, homeless, ill, people in crisis situations) to complete their Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Training. This means that anyone who participates in the following SJN ministries must get this certification:

Alpha Prison Ministry
Boy Scouts
Care Communities
Challenge
Christian Medical Missions
Coffee and Donut Social Hosts
Communion to Sick
Cub Scouts
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
Engaged Sponsor Couples
Faith Circle for High School Students
Family Religious Education
Catechists
Vacation Religion School
Bereavement Ministry
Godly Play
Hearts and Hands Respite Ministry
K for J
Life Teen volunteers
EDGE volunteers
Readers
Ushers
Sacristans
Mary and Martha Guild
Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Parish library volunteers
Southwest Austin Caregivers
Summit / Querencia Communion Service Teams
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Touching Hearts, Bridging Hope
Venture Crew
Weekend collection counters
Gift Shop volunteers

The reason the diocese asks most volunteers to go through the training is so that we can do our part to protect the vulnerable entrusted to our care and ministry. You can read more frequently asked questions about the training on the diocesan Web site.

The training involves a two-part process -- one of which can be completed from the comforts of your own home!

Complete the diocesan Application for Ministry, which will run a background check. This is best to be completed online, but you can go to the same link to print out a hard copy and mail it to the parish office for us to input into the system, if you wish.
Attend a basic workshop. These are constantly being scheduled all around the Austin area (and beyond); schedules can be viewed at http://www.austindiocese.org/. It's best to call the number listed ahead of time, but it's also perfectly fine to just show up the day of the workshop if it's a last minute convenience.

Completing the application is a one-time requirement -- the system automatically runs a background check every few years with no extra work required on your part.

Attending a workshop, however, must now be done every three years, so if it's been more than three years since you last attended a workshop, it's time to renew your certification! The good news is that the refresher workshop, as they're called, is half the time that the basic workshop is. You can also find the list of upcoming refresher workshops at http://www.austindiocese.org/department_home.php?id=9, under the header "Upcoming EIM Refresher Workshops.

Thank you for helping us do all we can to ensure the comfort and safety of those to whom we minister as a Church!
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Image courtesy of http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/

Parishioners inspire confirmation students to serve

2010-03-19T10:59:00.000-06:00

A couple Sundays ago, seven parishioners seeked to inspire 80 confirmation students who are preparing to receive the sacrament later this spring. Eric Paul Carreiro, Jo Creath, Alan and Tricia Graham, Meghan and Matt Klassen, and Buddy Quaid visited the March 7th class to each speak to groups of 10 students at a time as the students rotated from "station to station" where each parishioner gave a witness talk on why they are involved at the parish.

Eric Paul Carreiro leads the Sunday 5:30 p.m. Life Teen Choir.

Jo Creath has been involved in the Lay Missionaries of Charity, Altar / Sacristy Ministry, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Eucharistic Adoration, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Habitat for Humanity and other ministries.

Alan and Tricia Graham were two founders of Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Alan currently serves as the president of the parish-sponsored ministry that has over 10,000 volunteers nationwide. They've also been involved with Knights of Columbus, the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program and Just Faith.

Meghan and Matt Klassen have been involved with the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program, Eucharistic Adoration and Habitat for Humanity.

Buddy Quaid has been involved with the Communications Committee.

After receiving the sacrament of confirmation later this spring, it will be tempting for the high schoolers to fall into the routine of attending Sunday Mass as their sole weekly church activity since religious education classes won't be required of them any longer. To help prevent this, these seven witnesses were asked to show how they are being faithful to God and flourishing as a human person in responding to His call to serve others in love.

There are many opportunities for young people to serve Christ and His Church -- in liturgical ministry (i.e. readers, ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, music), social ministry (i.e. Hearts and Hands Respite Ministry, communion to the sick), Christian life ministry (i.e. coffee and donut hosts), faith formation (i.e. catechists, EDGE leaders) and stewardship ministry (i.e. parish library volunteers, Welcome Committee).

Join us in praying for these young people who will be on fire with the Holy Spirit, that they may seek to know how to best use their gifts and talents to serve God and His people! Also send up a prayer of thanksgiving for the witnesses of Eric Paul, Jo, Alan, Tricia, Meghan, Matt and Buddy, that they may be blessed for saying 'yes' to showing how they try to serve as Christ's hands and feet in the world and that they may have the courage to continue to witness in their everyday lives.

CHRISTianity or MEianity: Living repentence within ministry

2010-03-16T15:14:00.000-06:00

Editor's note: This is a guest post from Michael Gormley, St. John Neumann Catholic Church youth minister

Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect!

These words of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount may fill us with fear: "But I'm not perfect, and I never will be. This Christian life is impossible!"

Such a response is totally natural because as human persons after the Fall we are continually confronted with the reality of our own imperfections. Mistakes, weaknesses, past sins, baggage, drama and family history seem to conspire to make of us the worse version of ourselves. We can whole-heartedly agree with Saint Paul that more often than not, we do that which we do not want to do and do not do the very thing we want! How is this amplified in our ministries?

Faced with our frailty, there are three responses to this commandment of Christ to be perfect.

First, we can reject it and turn back to our former ways, despising Christ and His Church. This is a genuine reaction (I would rather you were hot or cold...), but is obviously not ideal. Second, and most common, but also the most pathetic, we can reinvent Jesus' Christianity to suit our perspectives, our times, our version of life so that the demands are not so darned difficult. But this is an entirely false Christianity, ME-ianity, one that lets the creature tell the Creator how things ought to be (but you are not hot or cold but lukewarm. Therefore I will vomit you out of my mouth). This Christianity says to God, "Listen, Lord, Your servant is speaking," instead of Samuel's response, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

Or finally, we can live repentance and surrender to His grace. As G. K. Chesterton once said, It is not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting. But rather, it has been found difficult and left untried. This lived repentance is our contribution to Jesus' gift of salvation.

Repentance is the first impulse of a true Christian. It declares that Jesus' words are true, that we are called to be perfect as God the Father Himself is perfect but that we are far from that perfection. We are not independent business partners engaging in a contract with God for salvation in exchange for tithing and some moralistic behaviors. We are creatures who openly and consistently rebel against our Father in favor of ourselves. There is no deal brokered, no goods and services exchanging hands equally. There is only our lack, our brokenness, our sinfulness and His desire to save us beyond all death.

Lent is the Season of Repentance, not just the time when the Church makes us feel guilty for drinking too much soda or liking meat too much. It is an intense period of meditation on our very personal need for a Savior, for God to remove from us the things that keep us in the tomb of our own wretchedness. Easter's message is that the tomb is empty, that we are free because Christ has conquered death and sin has no claim over us. Lenten fasts challenge us to confront those tombs and conquer them, not with white-knuckled human effort, but through prayerful surrender.

Lent is not about working our way to heaven but about realizing that, thanks to Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, heaven is already working its way in us. We so often have it backwards! God has already saved us. Repenting is the path toward making more room in our hearts for that grace to seep in. Repenting declares to the universe that we are responsible for our own sins "through what I have done and what I have failed to do." But thanks to the cross and resurrection and to the institution of the Church, His Body, our repentance becomes the source of the forgiveness that Christ won for us on the cross, especially in Confession.

Ministry in or from the Church must always carry within it both the cross and the empty tomb. Whether we are serving at tables or preaching the Gospel, serving soup or pouring our hearts out at a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat testimony or in small groups with high school students, we do it knowing that God's grace is alive and is moving His people toward repentance. Conversion is not a one-time-only event but must become integral to life. The goal is to be perfect as God the Father is perfect and every single time we fall short of that goal, then repenting and converting re-pristinates this gospel within us.

It does not matter if we are literally perfect at our deaths (that's what Purgatory is for!) but that we strive always toward this goal. It perpetually makes the complacent disciples uncomfortable, rather than comforted by the false gospel of ME-ianity.

Look at the story of the woman caught in adultery. She was caught in the very act of adultery (where's the man?) and dragged by the supposed Righteous Ones (self-appointed, as always) into the center of the town to be used in a trap for Jesus Christ. We know Jesus' response to the Pharisees, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," but do we remember His words to the woman? "Is there anyone here to condemn you?" She responds, probably trembling at what next will happen, "No one, sir." And now He says to her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more."

Transformed from sinner to public object of scorn to salvation by the ministering words of our Lord. She was not perfect as her heavenly Father is perfect. But through encountering the radical forgiveness of Jesus in that public space, she now is on the path toward perfection.

So let this Lent become a call for you to repent and believe again in the Gospel, but also let this message of lived repentance challenge your ministry. Look deeply into the daily mechanics of what makes your ministry happen and ask yourself and your volunteers, "How can we make this work more His work? How can we become more transparent to let His mercy shine through? From what do we need to repent?"

Asking these questions and honestly seeking the answers can cause some radical changes in your ministry or maybe small adjustments. Often we can get bogged down in the attitude that, "It's always been done this way," but that tool of Satan can cause us to demand the Spirit follow our institutions rather than having our hearts follow the Spirit.

Ministry led by unrepentant sinners will fail because it becomes self-glorifying rather than God-glorifying. Ministries led by men and women who are living out their repentance, who are following the Spirit, who are not afraid to say, "I messed up and I am sorry," these ministries will endure and bear fruit sixty, eighty and a hundred fold. So be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. This Lent is a perfect opportunity to begin anew with a cry of repentance on our lips!

---------------------------
Michael Gormley, aka "Gomer," is the youth minister at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. His main mission is to evangelize within the Church, seeing major problems with both the pre-Vatican II emphasis on rote memorization and the post-Vatican II emphasis on a watered-down experiential catechesis. Gomer heads Life Teen, Confirmation and EDGE and you can see him helping out around the RCIA program and "Between the Masses" from time to time. Follow his blogs, Passionate Catholic and Another Thing.

Why volunteer?

2010-03-15T14:35:00.000-06:00

Help others.
Make a difference.
Find purpose.

These are the top three reasons to volunteer, according to VolunteerMatch.org. Other reasons listed include: enjoy meaningful conversation, connect with your community, feel involved, contribute to a cause you care about, use your skills in a productive way, develop new skills and meet new people. All fantastic reasons.

Let me take it a step further, though, and apply it to your faith. Your spirituality. The way in which you deepen your relationship with God.

James 2:26: "For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

As Catholics, we believe that we must put our faith into action. St. Teresa of Avila charged us with serving as Christ's body on earth; we are called to build God's Kingdom while we're here. It is a big responsibility, but one that is so easy to act upon!

Anyone can volunteer or spread the Good News, and no matter how big or small the task is, there's something for everyone. Some opportunity just for you exists -- an important opportunity. Find out what it is and start building!

"Christ has no body now but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which He looks

compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours."

~ St. Teresa of Avila

SVDP Christmas Food Drive 2009

New SJN ministry: Bereavement Support

2010-03-10T17:11:00.001-06:00

Image courtesy of www.bereavement-hypnotherapylondon.co.uk

A new parish ministry at SJN has been approved and will begin its formation! Please welcome the Bereavement Ministry as No. 56 on our ministry list! (That's right, folks -- we offer 56 ministries for which our parishioners to become involved.)

Founding member Pat Flathouse is helping to spearhead the effort in starting this ministry, which aims to provide comfort, support and encouragement for members of the parish community who are experiencing personal loss through death. Support groups led by trained facilitators provide support to parishioners as they walk through the grieving process with emphasis on the emotional and spiritual needs of the bereaved.

This ministry is just in the beginning stages of formation, so it's looking for volunteers to help organize a program. If you have ideas or resources that might be helpful or are interested in volunteering your time and talent to this new ministry, please contact us, or leave a comment below.

Upcoming seminar on service based on pope's third encyclical

2010-03-05T10:35:00.000-06:00

The Texas Catholic Conference Charity and Justice Department is sponsoring an upcoming seminar based on Pope Benedict's third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. The event, Charity and Truth in Ministry: Our Call to Service, will be April 30 - May 1 at the Hilton Austin Airport Hotel.

Caritas in Veritate links charity and truth in the pursuit of justice, the common good and authentic human development. In doing so, the pope calls all men and women to think and act anew. This seminar is an opportunity for volunteers in church ministry to gather and reflect on our common call to service. Participants are also offered workshop choices to hone skills in specific areas relevant to their ministries, including fund raising, volunteer retention, Hispanic outreach, legislative advocacy, re-entry services and wrap-around services for families of the incarcerated, and more.

For more information, call (512) 339-9882 or visit www.TXCatholic.org.

SXSW: Events where volunteerism is the headliner

2010-03-03T15:44:00.000-06:00

Sure, SXSW Conferences & Festivals offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films and emerging technologies, but something you may not realize is that they also offer a few events touching on the topic of social change and volunteerism. If you know about a SXSW-related event that touches on this topic, let me know, either by leaving a comment below or contacting me.

Saturday, March 13

A Conversation About Social Change Through Social Media / 12:30 p.m.at Austin Convention Center

A few words, a few pictures, a transformative experience. Good stories are three-way -- they include the storyteller and the audience both in the experience and transport to a third place, a shared experience, together. Learn how social media can affect real social change!

Sunday, March 14

Crowd Sourcing Innovative Social Change / 3:30 p.m. at Austin Convention Center

Social media builds buzz and raises money, but what about real, on-the-ground change? The Social Change Challenge will crowdsource innovative ideas from nonprofits to change the world. We'll share big ideas for using social media for nonprofit program delivery and some good tips for crowdsourcing for social change.

Tuesday, March 16

Change the World, Lives, With Bikes / 11 a.m. at Austin Convention Center

This core conversation will talk about how cycling, the bike and social media are changing the world and lives. You'll learn about Livestrong's community and Bike Hugger's blog, events like the Mobile Social, and the millions who follow Lance Armstrong on Twitter. It's a discussion of bike and pop culture and socializing the good with these Interweb tools.

Gifts and Talents Survey

2010-02-11T15:40:00.004-06:00

Not sure what ministry is best for you? Use this form to let us know what interests you, and we'll let you know what ministry opportunities arise that might be right for you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

2010-02-09T14:19:00.003-06:00

What's a blog?
A blog or Web log is a Web site that contains frequently updated content, written by one or more people, usually with a personal tone or quality.

Initially, blogs were primarily about personal topics — like an online diary, but now they've evolved to cover just about any topic imaginable.

What's a comment?
We allow readers to comment on "A Willing Witness." This feature gives readers the chance to respond to Jen or to others who have commented on a topic. Inappropriate comments should be reported. St. John Neumann Church reserves the right to block access because of poor behavior

How do I comment?
On any blog entry, look for a link like this:

O Comments:

The number in the before "Comments" is the number of comments so far — if it's 0, then you can grab the top spot! A form is listed below that where you enter your name and comment. Click "Post Comment" to submit it for consideration.

When can I comment?
You can comment at any time, but they are reviewed before they are posted.

What are the 'rules' for commenting?

Don't use ALL CAPS. It's considered shouting.
Be considerate.
Keep your language civil. What you post is seen by everyone who visits the page.
You may not post advertising for goods, services, products, etc. to our comment areas.
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How do I report an abusive comment?
Please contact us.

Can "A Willing Witness" link to my blog and / or Web site?
We would love to link to every Willing Witness reader’s blog and / or Web site, but due to potentially large numbers, it’s impossible. You’re welcome to shoot Jen Crowley an e-mail to tell her about Web sites or individual blog posts you’ve written if they relate to the topic of ministry -- but she can’t guarantee to link to all such submissions.

Contact

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"A Willing Witness" is managed by Jen Crowley, director of young adults, communications and ministries at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. St. John Neumann Church is located in Austin, Texas.

Below are several areas where we’d love your input. Or feel free to just say hello! For more information, please feel free to contact us via:

E-mail
jcrowley@sjnaustin.org

Phone
(512) 328-3220 Ext. 121

Mail
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
5455 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas 78746

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Ministry Opportunities
Jen is always looking for ministry opportunities! Please provide the name of the sponsoring ministry and the details, including a ministry job description.

Real Ministry Submissions
Jen would love to feature your real St. John Neumann Church ministry event – whether it is a service project, fellowship event or spiritual activity. Please send your photos and a brief write-up about your event.

*Please Note: Before submitting photos, please make sure you have the proper authority to do so! If the photos are the work of a professional, please contact the photographer for approval and then provide Jen their information so she can give credit where credit is due! For all photos that include your friends and family, please make sure they approve of having their image on the web. By submitting your photos, Jen assumes you have done your due diligence!

Resource Recommendations
Jen is always looking for great resources to share with the readers of "A Willing Witness." Please submit your favorite resource recommendations for review. Be sure to tell us why you love it!

About "A Willing Witness"

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About Jen Crowley

Jen Crowley is the director of ministries at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. She has been serving at this parish since April 2009, after having moved from serving as the director of ministries at Saint Mary Cathedral, also in Austin, for three years.

At her own parish in northwest Austin, Jen is heavily involved in ministry life with commitments to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 2535 Catholic Crossing Young Adult Ministry, Young Marrieds Ministry, Good Samaritan Meal Ministry, Couples of Faith and a weekly women's Bible study, and she serves on the Diocese of Austin Young Adult Advisory Council. Her most passionate ministry is found serving in young adult ministry after having been called to start the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry in 2005, which has now grown to serve over 300 young adults around the city of Austin. She considers her adult conversion experience to have come from attending a Christ Renews His Parish Women's Retreat in September 2004, which set her on fire for the Holy Spirit to seek how she could best use her gifts and talents to build the Kingdom of God.

About "A Willing Witness"
The mission of this blog is to help parishioners of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin find opportunities to serve and use the gifts and talents with which they've been blessed to give back to God and build His Kingdom here on earth. Jen hopes to connect readers to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.

Why a blog? A blog is a great way to share timely information and get immediate feedback. Jen knows all of you involved in the parish and greater Austin community have opinions about what ministry opportunities are available and ideas to share about how you and your families have been able to serve others. Use the comments feature to share your thoughts and hear from others.

What We Believe
Participating in community through sacrament, ongoing renewal in the Catholic faith and creative service to those in need in our world allow us to experience the love of Jesus Christ.

All parishioners are called to actively engage in their faith and, in so doing, witness to God's grace and serve those in need.

Subscribe to "A Willing Witness"
Please stay in touch with what "A Willing Witness" is up to through one of our subscription methods, which you can view from the "Subscribe To" box near the top of the sidebar to the right of the page. Also, feel free to connect with the blog on Facebook if you’re active on that network.

So, please, read and comment on the posts, send Jen your thoughts, circulate this blog link and feel free to suggest topics!

News Tips
Have a servant love or ministry-related contribution? Jen is always looking for blog content, including links, ideas, tips and examples of practicing good stewardship of time and talent. Consider submitting it yourself as a guest blogger or just send it her way!

If you would like more information on "A Willing Witness," please get in touch through the contact page.