A Dewy-Eyed Start

     I remember the first day of work in my parish.  Meeting with the pastor to talk about the requirements of the position and what he expected.  I was responsible for finances.  There was lofty talk of meeting regularly to review financial statements; of monthly meetings with the finance council; of ensuring that staff members stuck to their budgets; of serving God by being a steward of our parishioners' donations.
I felt as if i had been given an awesome, unexpected gift - wrapped in iridescent paper with a crinkly bow on top - and that it was big enough to share with everyone I knew.  I was working part-time so I could still contribute to our family's budget.  My office was across the parking lot from my children's school.  The boys could walk over after school and hang out in my office. And I was doing it all for the parish that I loved in service of my God.
    I was blessed to have lay co-workers who shared those feelings ~ that we were the proverbial workers in the vineyard.  They were actually responsible for creating and running all of the myriad of parish programs typically offered in a vibrant, active parish of 3000+ families.  From the youngest, newest members of our parish to the oldest, most infirm, these women (yes, they were all women) provided the means for every parishioner to deepen their faith.  They were the cogs that kept our parish running.  Because we are Catholic, they could not be ordained.   They could not be given "authority" as our faith only invests authority in the pastor.  But, they were the faces, the hard-working hands, and the hearts and souls of our parish.
    I felt awed that I was able to share my workday with them.