Looking at how our parish works

I have recently become more involved with my church and more interested in the stewardship of being a good active member of the church. I have found that I need to study  the history of the diocese here and see what is going on.

Last evening at "Little Rock Bible Study", the discussion turned to the role of each of us and each member of the clergy all the way up the "chain of command". Keep in mind that I have not lived here in many years and have not kept up with what has been going on in this diocese.

I find it sad that our priests are so overwhelmed with the mundane day to day operations and demands of the diocese that "tending their flock" is often pushed back. Ours is a small parish and our priest takes care of 2 churches in addition to serving at the diocesan level in the town 60 miles away. The Grants area has 4 churches in the same group and all are part of the diocese of Gallup. There are also 2 other priests that tend to the 4 churches and a school.

I am hopeful that our new Pope, Pope Francis, will have an affect on everyone down through the line from him to each parishioner. That he will institute programs that will focus on the building of the church on the faith needs of the communities wherever they are and not on the aspirations of a few who are search of the ever elusive next step up. Whether it is the political, social or financial desires of the average person or the intentions of a clergy to seek higher office in the church. The intent of the church should remain the needs of those seeking to find, build on, maintain and share the faith as Christ asked each of the apostles to do. That is what is asked of each of us, to follow or at least try to follow in Christ's footsteps, tending to the weak, the poor, the hungry and always remain faithful.

In this day and age, the church must continue to make amends for the actions of a few priests and the church leaders that failed the people. It must be also, ever searching for the financial means to carry out the work it must do.To help those in most need, it must ask for help from those most able. To maintain places of worship, it must have financial means to pay for building, utilities, literature and all those day to day things we often take for granted.