“You are truly a growing family, joyfully bringing people to Jesus,” Archbishop Michael Miller told parishioners of St. Nicholas Parish during his recent pastoral visit.
After thanking St. Nicholas’ pastor Father Nixon D’Silva during his homily, he said “it has been a pleasure for me to spend time with him and to witness first-hand the vitality, enthusiasm, and many gifts of the parishioners here.”
The days, he said, “have been both inspiring and encouraging.”
The archbishop praised the various organizations and volunteers that make up St. Nicholas’ parish ministries. After mentioning all the ministries he met with during his visit – everyone from the “altar flower ladies,” to the Project Advance and Development and Peace coordinators – he told parishioners: “what an enormous number of opportunities for living one’s faith and engagement in building up the community exist here at St. Nicholas. It almost takes your breath away!”
Archbishop Miller invited parishioners to continue becoming more “mission-minded.”
“The Lord is calling every parishioner – without exception to be both a disciple and missionary,” he said. “To be a disciple is to be someone who cultivates an intimate and personal friendship with Jesus Christ.”
“Without this, all else fails,” he said.
Being a disciple does not require traveling far, said the archbishop, but merely speaking with one’s own family to share personal experience of the Lord.
“Dear brothers and sisters,” he continued, “I encourage everyone in the church today who has made this parish their place of worship to offer your gifts to build up the community if you are not yet involved. Everyone has something to offer.”
For those who have “remained a little on the sidelines,” he said, “give serious thought to finding at least one ministry where the Lord can use your gifts and talents for his service and the service of your brothers and sisters.”
The archbishop also spoke to some parish struggles finding new members for various ministries.
“Planning on succession remains a challenge here, as in most parishes,” he said. “Those who are dedicated and have been involved in the parish since its foundation 25 years ago, should take the time to ask themselves: who will take my place in my ministry in five or 10 years?
“Inviting others personally to share in your ministry, especially those who are younger or newer to the community,” he said, “and being willing to accommodate new ideas and ways of doing things is the mark of a parish family that is truly welcoming and flourishing.”
