Many Opportunities

Often times I get asked why we are not doing some event, outreach, program, or other thing here at the parish and my usual response is that is a great idea, how can we accomplish that? It is sometimes a challenge to get people to sign up for things, both to attend, and to help out with them. One of the things that comes up quite often in meetings here at St. Luke’s is the need for volunteers. Just like in most places, the same few people are doing most of the events or ministries. Almost every week we have multiple open spots on our ministry schedule for Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or lectors, or hospitality ministers, etc. It is not often seen because we usually are grabbing people as they walk in and asking them last minute. It takes 11-12 people helping at each of the Masses that we have, and sometimes we only have 5-6 available and we have to find the others. Something that would be pretty easy to do as a family is to do hospitality ministry, which involves greeting people, handing out music books, and passing the collection baskets, the kids usually love to help with this. I know that we all have very busy lives and we are not always sure which Mass we are going to attend, or other event we are going to be at, but as a parish, we really need the help in these things. Here at St. Luke’s we have around 1,500 registered adults and if even half of us volunteer an hour a month, we would be fine.

While Mass ministries are great, we also have many other things that we need volunteers for. We have Oxtoberfest coming up in a couple of weeks and we still need people to help in many of the different things going on. This is our major fundraiser for the parish and has provided for the livestream cameras, the new matching vestments that the priests and deacons wear, the new cassocks that the servers wear, as well as the statue of St Luke that we now have in the narthex. The major school fundraiser is the Green Gala in February raises funds to help things for the school like playground equipment, the gazebo, teacher gifts, and many more things. All of these events also require many people to help and for those who have helped, I wanted to thank you.

There are so many opportunities to help with things no matter what skill level you are, from the projects that come up throughout the year, to helping with child care during other events. We also are in need for crossing guards and help in the school kitchen.

Please consider helping out in some way. We would always be willing to train and help you out in whatever you would like and feel comfortable with.

God bless,
Fr. Ken