This fall we conducted a survey of parish and non-parish ministries in which Fraternity members engage. The hope was to get a sense of the broad range of ways in which the members live out their Franciscan vocations, and perhaps to offer some ideas and inspiration for expanding our own activities.
Fraternity members belong to a number of different parishes. Among the most common volunteer activities are lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and music ministers. Some members are involved with prayer groups and Bible study, Vacation Bible School, evangelization, and conducting Communion services. Some engage in outreach activities, such as Stephen Ministry, food pantries, clothes closets, and Thanksgiving/Christmas basket programs. Still others use their gifts behind the scenes, such as serving on buildings and grounds committees or counting the collection.
In addition of parish-related ministries, Fraternity members are active in the broader world.
A number of members are involved in pro-life activities - Project Rachel, Focus Pregnancy Help Center, Rachel’s Vineyard, Sidewalk Advocates, 40 Days for Life Pro-life vigils, Good Friday Stations of the Cross for Life, and Feminists for Non-Violent Choices. Some are involved with ministries and groups, including prison ministry, the Catholic Daughters, Church Women United, the Ladies of Charity, the Children’s Agenda, Magnificat Women’s Breakfasts, the Diocesan Public Policy Committee, and volunteering at the Padre Pio Chapel. There are others who evangelize when they get the opportunity - such as when undergoing dialysis - or who regularly visit and help those who are infirm, homebound, and so on.
The picture we get is of Franciscans who take to heart our call to embrace the Gospel, and to proclaim God’s message to the world through our words and actions.
Perhaps in reading what others do, we may get ideas about other things we can do individually.
Pax et bonum
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