Your Parish Family

     The sense of isolation can be difficult to bear. Not many persons are happy when alone for long periods. When the sense of isolation arises from being the lone Catholic in a group, whether familial, occupational, social, or any other variety, it can be particularly painful.

     One resource against that sense that we could use more frequently and effectively is the parish pastor. He’s almost always in frequent contact with the parish’s most active lay members. He’s usually happy to put another parishioner in contact with them – yes, even if there’s no prospect of getting free labor out of it – because after preaching the Gospels, keeping the parish together is his primary aim.

     A parish’s lay leaders are likely to be sociable folks, naturally gregarious and well connected to what other Catholics in the region are doing. Getting acquainted with them can lead to a wealth of other acquaintances, and a deeper involvement in parish life.

     I find this to be especially valuable to persons who have been divided from their natural families by death or distance, or estranged from them by discord. Imagine the unique suffering of being utterly alone at Christmas or Easter, the two great feast days of our faith. Imagine how much healing balm a hand extended in friendship and shared belief could spread over such sorrow. It’s among the simplest and most straightforward works of mercy imaginable. Parish leaders will be inclined to offer such a hand automatically.

     When that feeling of isolation begins to creep over you, call your parish office and ask for an appointment with the pastor. When you sit down with him, don’t tell him that you don’t want to be alone. Tell him that you’d like to be better connected to parish life generally, that you might get a sense for how your personal gifts might be put to the service of others. After all, you would like that feeling of involvement, wouldn’t you?

     Just a quick thought from a Catholic who has spent far too many Advents, Lents, and holy days alone. If we’re all truly members of the Mystical Body of Christ, there’s no harm in striking up an acquaintance with a few of the other organs of that Body, now is there?