Blessed Is The Family That Serves Together

Sharmila Jayatilleke reminds us, “God's two greatest commandments are to love God and love others.” Through parish involvement, particularly service, the Jayatilleke family has found a true spiritual home at St. Faustina.

Sharmila serves on the hospitality team. “I started about three or four years ago. I was intimidated at first, but just a few minutes of serving as a greeter I grew to love it. Ever since then I have been greeting and serving donuts.” The ministry of hospitality is irreplaceable. It’s so much more than merely saying “hi.” It’s providing a welcoming environment that lets people know “we prepared this for you because we want you here.” That welcoming attitude is often the reason people come to or stay at a parish. 



Sharmila’s husband, Bala, is currently serving as the Treasurer for St. Faustina’s Knights of Columbus. However, in this family serving isn’t only for the parents. Nia and Malachi also serve the altar and Malachi helps his mom as a greeter when he’s not attending the altar. “I always wanted my kids to be involved in church other than attending Sunday Mass.” She has good reason for that: data from the National Study of Youth and Religion found that 82 percent of children raised by parents who talked about faith at home, attached great importance to their beliefs and were active in their congregations were themselves religiously active as young adults.

Sharmila says that while getting involved has benefitted her family, it has also been wonderful for her own spirituality: “I go to church with more energy every Sunday as I hope to connect with new and current families and hope to put a smile on their face. I grow closer to God knowing I’ve done something that benefits others.” 

The Liturgical Ministries at St. Faustina’s include the hospitality group, altar servers, altar linen upkeep, lectors, arts and environment, AV production team, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, children’s liturgy of the Word, homebound ministry, Misa En Español, greeters, ushers, acolytes and sacristans. If you would like to read more about any of these groups, please visit the "Liturgical" page under the Ministries menu above.