8 Ways you can help your parish (that may never have occurred to you)

The recent beginning of the new academic year and easing up of COVID restrictions has meant the resumption of parish life and menu of its ministries ... activities that cannot function without the help of devoted volunteers, young and old. Whatever your age and availability, there’s sure to be a need in your parish that you can fill and that will help the parish priest and staff (who are often overworked). The more people get involved, the lighter the load. There are many ways to help that may surprise you, and might be waiting for you to step up...

Are you a computer geek—internet savvy, an expert with social networks? Parishes that are not yet fully 2.0 certainly need your skills.

Does the website need to be modernized? Updated? Does your parish have a Facebook profile? Such things are very useful for communicating changes in Mass times (or sharing Aleteia articles)!

If you’d like to write, do page layout, and share the great stories of your parish, find out if there’s a team in charge of a parish newsletter—at the risk of ending up putting it together yourself!

Talk to the pastor and figure out when to send it out at regular periods, according to your availability. This is a good way to connect with other parishioners and to highlight the events that punctuate the life of your community.

Your parish has a number of buildings, starting with the church and the rectory. These buildings require maintenance. It may happen that a chapel needs to be repainted, the lights changed, the church soundproofed. There are many small or large projects that require a few hands. So why not offer yours, if you’re interested?

Is this a job you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little child, but which has never materialized? This service to the parish can be a great opportunity to fulfill it. It requires a little talent and time, but what joy to have the ability to beautify the ceremonies!

If you love children, playing with them, and telling them stories, don't hesitate to offer to babysit during Mass. There’s usually a parish hall, meeting room, or small sacristy nearby that can accommodate this little world.

The parents will be very grateful. It's an opportunity to get to know a lot of young people (and incidentally to fill up your babysitting calendar for weeknights!).

The COVID-19 months have made life hard for those who like to organize after-Mass festivities or evening conferences, but this year promises to be better. There’s no doubt that parish communities are eager to get together again. Let's hear your ideas to recreate a beautiful parish spirit!

Photography is a passion shared by many, and a very useful talent for a parish. There’s no shortage of beautiful occasions for a photographer to help the parish: feasts, solemnities, sacraments. A dedicated photographer makes it possible on the one hand to avoid multiplying the number of photographers on the day of the religious ceremonies, and on the other hand, to guarantee nice pictures to publish on the website, social media, and the parish bulletin.

In many parishes, there is some form of team organized to visit the sick or isolated elderly people at home or in retirement or convalescent homes. This is a very beautiful and rewarding exercise of charity, which Jesus enjoined upon us clearly and directly.