Do we ever think about...

As often happens this weekend I was bailed out again by my two dear friends, Aimee and Keith. I was struggling with one of my lawn tractors and called Keith to see if he could come over and diagnose the problem. He did; the tractor started right up and he and Aimee hung around all day helping me cut my 10 acre yard. During my last few months of formation, prior to ordination, these two inquired how do you keep up with everything. Formation and pending ordination did not mean my job stopped, or family things ceased, or the grass quit growing; you get the idea. So they offered to help stopping by periodically to help around the yard, feed my animals and help with bigger projects. They saw the need and responded.

What is amazing to me is that my friends are not members of my Church parish. Yet they fully supported my upcoming ordination and ongoing ministry as a Permanent Deacon with their gift of time and labor. And oh yes, unconditional friendship. Amazing!

So this got me thinking. In our parishes, maybe within our close circle of friends and aquantances, is a parishioner undergoing the rigors of formation? Or maybe we know the Deacon who serves in ministry at the church or at one of the local institutions where deacons perform their ministry of charity. Did it ever cross our minds that maybe our offer to help may allow us to cooperate with that ministry for the people of God? Have we ever offered to cut the Deacon's grass or assist those in formation with the tasks of ordinary life? Why not? Are we disinterested or do we just assume that all is well with our friend and neighbor who is ordained or studying.

Same could be said for our Priests and local seminarians. Have we ever offered to cook a meal, run errands, just support these folks. They say for many Priests, the boredom of the rectory is a challenge to their Priesthood. Yes, these men are men of prayer and ministry and probably stay busy, most of the time. But it is and can be a lonely existence. With our friendship and gift of time, perhaps we could reach out and do something. Ever call the parish Priest and offer to take them to lunch or dinner?

It is up to all of us to do this. People in the pews and from the church parish should understand that there is much to be done to help our ministers. My friends Aimee and Keith, without seeing me in action, knew that the need was real for me. And with Christ-like love and friendship they have responded in a beautiful way. May there be a lot more Aimee and Keith in all of us!