Family Finds Community After Relocation

The Smith family has enjoyed being a part of parish life at St. Faustina. Getting involved in multiple parish ministries and events has helped them solidify a sense of community in the parish, and helped parents Dan and MaryAnn, to pass the Faith on to their children. After moving to Texas from California, the family knew that they would get more out of Mass if they spent time building community beyond Sunday Mass.

Their oldest son, Adam, has served as an altar server and volunteered to help at Vacation Bible School. Their daughter, Olivia, sings in the choir, has also volunteered at VBS, and served at the altar as well. The youngest son, Ben, in addition to being an altar server, chose St. Faustina as the recipient for his Eagle Scout Service Project by leading a team who made 150 white wooden crosses that were staked out in front of St. Faustina during Right to Life Month in October 2017. MaryAnn has assisted with the Capital Campaign, and served as a Lector and Catechist. 

When children or teens are distracted at Mass, our answer as parents is often to try and change the Mass to get it “on their level.” We try to make it relevant, cool even. Instead of that route, the Smiths decided to encourage their children to participate more in parish life, and their daughter found a place in the parish choir. Although we all participate in the sacrifice of the Mass, it’s easy to forget that fact, and spend the hour merely attending the Mass. But playing an active role in the worship music of the Mass has helped Olivia on her faith journey, reminding her of the participation we share in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. 

“Having music as a part of Mass completely transforms the experience. I find that it is a good way to make a connection with God, and I can see the music move people in a special way that spoken words can't do. It also creates a bond, not only spiritually, but among the community as well. I feel the most unified within the church when we are all worshiping together during Mass,” said Olivia.

That is a good reminder to all of us, every Catholic and every member of St. Faustina’s: we are participants, not merely attendees. Whether you are active on every ministry and committee this parish offers, or you simply choose to only be here for Sunday Mass, the Lord wants you to participate actively rather than passively. Sometimes active participation is singing in the choir, sometimes it’s serving at the altar, and sometimes it is even silent. A contemplative, silent parishioner can still participate in Mass with their whole heart. 

If you are struggling to find your place in the Mass, try the choir or serving the altar, or even volunteering at next year’s Vacation Bible School. The activities can speak to different people in different ways, and may help you see your Catholic faith in a new light. The Smiths are a family like many others at St. Faustina’s- busy with the tasks and events of daily life. But in recognizing that Christ is calling them into deeper communion with Him, they have been able to find more joy in parish life and a sense of purpose on their individual faith journeys.