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No parish is perfect, and even the best parishes can improve. Imagine what would happen if every person in this parish did one little thing to make our parish better!

Four Things that Hurt Parishes

→ Negativity. Negativity usually starts with a few disgruntled people who complain about virtually everything, then can spread like wildfire. The best way to deal with negativity is to address it head-on by asking some key questions. Is what this person saying true? If yes, what needs to be done to address the problem? If no, the person must be confronted and the negativity exposed.

→ Gossip. Gossip is negativity directed at a person or a group of people in the parish. Every parish has gossipmongers whose own insecurity drives them to put others down as a way of feeling better about themselves. The best way to deal with them is directly: ask why others really need to know the things they share, or how others can help the person whose reputation is at stake.

→Cliques.  Sadly, people involved in a clique usually don’t think of themselves as “cliquish”. They’ve just been running things for so long that they automatically rely on the same people over and over to help. Sometimes they just need a friendly reminder to invite others. Newcomers also often benefit – and help the parish- by starting their own new ministries, organizations, and events.

→Refusal to Change. Tradition is good, but when parishioners become rigid about the way things have “always been done” a parish can quickly begin to decline. Change is never easy; but talking about it will help. Try to find a balance that will maintain some time-honored traditions, while incorporating new ways of doing things and involving new people in doing them.

Seven Little things Anyone Can Do

1. Think about one message that spoke to you in the readings, the music, the homily, or your Communion meditation at Mass. Share these spiritual insights with a family member or friend.
2. Pray for the sick and suffering in our parish.
3. Talk about the good things that are happening in our parish during the coming week.
4. Offer to introduce family members or friends who are going through difficult times to a priest or parish staff member.
5. Ask new people in the neighborhood if they would be interested in checking out your parish.
6. Invite someone who lives alone to come to Mass with you.
7. Take a copy of our parish bulletin to someone who is sick or homebound.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR PARISH, OUR PASTORS, PARISH STAFF AND FELLOW PARISHIONERS

                                                             I Love You,

                                                                 Monsignor Jerome