Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Subject Topic: how do you say no? Post ReplyPost New Topic
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guitarnan
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Posted: Sept 28 2005 at 11:11pm | IP Logged Quote guitarnan
Long ago I coined one of my few "famous phrases": The only reward for doing a good job is more job.

The parishes I've belonged to have been great, but one common thread runs through every Catholic parish I've ever known. There is a core group of volunteers that does everything. If you are a "doer" and then decide to drop out, it's like you become a pariah.

Over the years I have volunteered less and less at our parishes. I have pretty much always participated in music ministry (except when my children were babies and toddlers), but the rest of my efforts tend to go toward occasional events rather than ongoing programs. It's much easier for me to control my time commitments that way, especially now, when I have so many quasi-obligatory things to attend because of my husband's current position. (This, too, shall pass!!! )

It's always OK to put God and family first. This is the advice I give to young Navy spouses, too. Put God and family first, and the rest will follow. When I am feeling really overwhelmed, I do try to speak sternly to myself and shed a couple of time obligations, so I can focus on the three Persons and three human people who are most important to me.

It's just like last Sunday's Gospel; it's far better to say, "No," and then find the time to help if that time is available, than to promise assistance and let others down.

Great thread. It just goes to show that all parishes are made up of very human people; it's up to us to be honest with our parish community about our priorities. If we can't be the "eyes" or "ears" of the Church, someone else can...perhaps we're another part of the Mystical Body...no less important...no less loved.


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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Natalia
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Posted: Sept 29 2005 at 9:56pm | IP Logged Quote Natalia
Elizabeth wrote:
Natalia,
May I add one to your list?
C.) Wanting community:
someone to chat with, to identify with, to "belong" with.
Unfortunately, we often belong, even to seemingly worthwhile things, to the detriment of the perfect community--our families.


In what sense you call our families the "perfect community"?

Natalia
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