“The parish is not an outdated institution, precisely because it possesses great flexibility. It can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community.” – Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, 28
MERRILLVILLE – Being “Joyfully Creative” in parish ministry can help cultivate a welcoming atmosphere – and make ministry more fulfilling – lay leaders were told at the latest in a series of Coffee and Conversations on Hospitality programs hosted by the Diocese of Gary on Sept. 6 at the Pastoral Center.
Vicky Hathaway, diocesan coordinator for Youth and Young Adults, used the artwork of the late Corita Kent, an artist, educator, social justice advocate and former nun who inspired many people with her words and images, to lead attendees through “The 10 Rules” that Kent and her students developed to reimagine an effective learning environment.
“Bringing joy into our ministry … is about using our creativity,” said Hathaway, who developed a workbook for her audience to convey her message creatively.
“With so many people, when you say, ‘Be creative,’ a wall goes up. They don’t think they can do it,” she admitted. Hathaway asked attendees to define what creativity means to them, think about a time when they felt creative, identify what helps them be creative, and admit what keeps them from being creative.
“Creativity gives you the freedom to try new things,” she said.
The rules that Hathaway shared and discussed with the parish leaders focus on enhancing and enjoying ministry work.
1. Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while – “Trusting that God is with us, we can lean into the community and the space He has given us,” said Hathaway. “When we allow God to walk with us on the journey, we discover that trust opens the way to deeper belonging, connection and joy.”
2. General duties of a student (are to) pull everything out of your teacher and everything out of your fellow students – “Enter in ministry with a sense of wonder and curiosity,” Hathaway urged. “Invite the Holy spirit into your work unceasingly. We are always learning.”
3. General duties of a teacher (are to) pull everything out of your students – “As a leader, your role is to encourage all to use their gifts to the fullest (in their ministry),” said Hathaway. “Make room for others.”
4. Consider everything an experiment – “You never know what is going to happen until you try it,” noted Hathaway. “Research, plan, implement and review. Things may not work out, but don’t give up.”
5. Be self-disciplined, which means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them – Hathaway suggested taking the role of a disciple. “Be humble and open, receiving and encouraging,” she said. “Think of other people around you. Find a mentor in ministry and faith.”
6. Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, only ‘make’ – Hathaway reminded that “God can use the unexpected if we allow it. In ministry, as in art, there are no mistakes, only moments of change. What may feel like a setback can become an opportunity if we allow God to shape it.”
7. The only rule is work. It’s the people who do all of the work, all of the time, who eventually catch on to things – “Each of us has a vocation,” said Hathaway, “a call from God that echoes every day. As we step more fully into our ’work,’ whether in ministry, service or daily life, we grow into the people God has created us to be.”
8. Don’t try to create and analyze at the same time – they are different processes. “To create is to put together, while to analyze is to take apart,” explained Hathaway. “Doing the work requires freedom, imagination and trust in the Spirit’s guidance, while evaluating the work requires patience, honesty and the courage to learn.”
9. Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It's lighter than you think – “Allow joy to be part of the ministry process,” encouraged Hathaway. “Ask yourself: ‘Am I happy? Am I excited to be here? Are others picking up on that?’”
10. Break all the rules, even our own rules, and how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for ‘X’ quantities – “Allow space for the creativity of the Holy Spirit,” Hathaway said. “We need to allow grace from God to work. Love the people we are serving.”
Diane MacDonald, a parishioner at St. Bridget in Hobart, said she most appreciated Rule #9. “Ministry, like serving as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, should be a choice, not a job,” she said.
Her fellow St. Bridget parishioner, Madelyn Camacho, said she appreciated the reminder to “Remember to be guided by the Holy Spirit.”
MacDonald admitted that her parish tried hosting a new event last year that did not draw as many people as organizers had hoped. Based on Hathaway’s encouragement, she said, she will recommend another try. “Change is hard, but everyone should be welcoming to everybody,” MacDonald said.
“Our formation is never complete, so be open to it all,” Hathaway stressed. “Be aware enough to make connections, especially in hospitality, because we are in the business of people.”
The next Coffee and Conversations in Hospitality program is set for 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville. Lisa Curley, hospitality and pre-evangelization coordinator, will present on the topic, “Stewardship – Using Your Time and Your Talent.” Register at 769-9292.
Caption: How to be “Joyfully Creative” in ministry was the topic on Sept. 6 as Vicky Hathaway (left) and Lisa Curley of the Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization Team welcomed lay leaders from several parishes to a Conversations in Hospitality program at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville. Hathaway used images from Sister Corita Kent’s artwork to enhance her presentation. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
