God's Gifts
Getting involved
Madrid parish to hold ministries fair

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted February 27, 2003

MADRID - Parishes throughout the diocese use various means to raise awareness about ways parishioners can use their personal gifts and talents to serve the church.

This year, St. Malachy Church in Madrid, has opted to hold a Ministries Fair.

"It is new to the parish and new to myself as a pastor," acknowledged Father Brian Danner, pastor. He had read about the success of such fairs in professional magazines as well as in The Globe. "This is a way to inform parishioners of the various ministries provided and celebrated in the parish."

Co-chairs of the event are Mike and Michelle Nelson.

"We want to get some fresh ideas and get more people involved," said Mike Nelson, who added that they are part of the liturgy and spiritual life committee at St. Malachy.

Following all Masses on March 15 and 16, parishioners will be invited to the parish hall to check out about 15-20 tables containing information about ministries they may consider becoming involved in. The information booths will be manned by others who serve in the particular ministry to provide literature and verbal information about the specifics of the ministry.

Parishioners will be able to ask questions about any preparation needed for a certain ministry and get an idea as to the time commitment.

"Snack foods will be offered at most of the booths," noted Father Danner. "We know that food can lure people in. Some are also making some beautiful displays of the work they have done in recent months and years as well as informing people of their hopes and dreams for the future."

Some of the ministries to be represented at the fair include altar servers, music ministry, greeters and catechists.

Lesser known and/or less visible ministries that will be represented include an adopt a flowerbed committee, prayer chain and the welcoming committee.

"The welcoming committee welcomes new parishioners to the parish which is something very important to us at Madrid because we serve 13 towns," stressed Father Danner. "There are four or five school districts within the 13 communities. This is not just a town of Madrid ministry, but a ministry to all those who claim St. Malachy as their parish. We may have to travel 10 to 15 miles to welcome people to our parish."

The number of people that can become involved in the prayer chain is unlimited. The pastor pointed out that this prayer calling tree can be used for any reason - someone is sick, a crisis situation such as loss or job or in thanksgiving to God for blessings bestowed on them.

Just as the prayer chain can have an unlimited number of people involved, Nelson said they are always looking for people to be involved in the parish society - volunteering at parish spaghetti dinner and the upcoming fish fries. Men, women and teenagers can serve in this capacity.

Organizers of the Ministries Fair point out that it is intended for people of all ages.

Barry Romitti, a parishioner at St. Malachy, was the person to suggest the Ministries Fair. He had been involved in one at another parish. In Madrid, he is involved in the liturgy and spiritual life committee as well as the director of liturgical music.

"No matter how well they might know the parish, I think there are a lot of things that parishioners do not know go on every day," he said. "Everyone has something to contribute and this will be a chance to see where there is a match."

Romitti pointed out that there are a number of ways to serve in the music ministry alone - cantor, choir member or band member. And if people don't want to make a longtime commitment, he added that they could sign up for seasonal choirs.

"If the fair goes as well as I have seen it at other parishes, I think we will be pretty happy with the results," he said.

Through this fair, organizers said parishioners will be able to not only see all of the opportunities that are available for service but also may realize how much work other people put into the parish.

The pastor hopes they realize the importance of taking active ownership in their parish.

"I think it is important to invite and re-invite people to serve in ministries - to let them know that they are welcome and we are open to new ideas," said Father Danner. "I think the Ministries Fair will provide a bigger picture of what is included in parish life - the number of things that are happening on a daily basis."

Through baptism, he added, people are called to active participation in their faith life and parish.

As Father Danner takes on additional pastoral duties, Nelson said participation by the laity will be all the more important.

"God shares his Gospel with us in different ways. For some people it may be verbally and for others it may be through a flower bed," said Father Danner. "It is important for us as church leaders to be open to as many possibilities out there for all these people who claim Christ in their lives."