New Years Resolution

By: Joy Frystak

     While I was waiting at the drive-thru of McDonalds (New Year’s Resolution number 1, less McDonalds) I noticed the vehicle in front of me had a bumper sticker that read, “Get involved. The world is run by those who show up.” I don’t know who the author of this statement is, I couldn’t get close enough to the rear bumper and I didn’t have my glasses on (New Year’s Resolution number 2, wear glasses more often). None the less, the statement stayed with me and I decided to investigate to see how often people show up.

     It started out with a simple experiment. I decided to take a survey of my immediate family to see how often they show up and for what. The results were astounding. My older sister who lives in Redondo Beach, California said she “religiously” shows up for yoga.  Fascinating choice of words. My younger sister said she is ten minutes early for her weekly manicure (New Year’s Resolution number 3, take better care of my cuticles, she does have nice nails).  My older brother never misses a Bears game, while my younger brother, who lives in Florida attends high tide daily. My mother claims to show up at every Dillard’s Department Store sale and my father claims to show up for lunch five days a week at Sam‘s Club for samples. Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, my dear, sweet grandmother gave me the answer I was hoping for, “I show up for the Young and the Restless, and church.”  BINGO!!!!

     My sweet Mema as I call her, shows up to her church every week to help make it run. This was really inspiring to me and thought what better place to apply such a profound statement but our very own St. Therese. 

     St. Therese has ample opportunities to get involved and help run our parish. Did you know that we have four choirs? There is a children’s choir, teen choir, Covenant choir and the Angelus choir.  All four are open to any and all who can remotely carry a tune at the very least. There are also opportunities to cantor. I know both Kandace Elmergreen and Lynn Hildebrandt would love to hear from you.

     We are blessed to have an amazing Religious Education Program. Mike Lambrecht does an

incredible job of running everything from CCD to bible studies and everything else in between. One of the biggest opportunities to get involved would be to substitute for a CCD class one Wednesday evening.  These kids will amaze you. Give Mike a call for more details. 

     Our Youth and Family Ministry is a well oiled machine. Steve Martin offers all sorts of programs to help parents pass faith onto their children, as well as many programs to help children feel connected with that faith. Why not contact Steve, who knows, volunteering at the youth lock-in could be a lot of fun. 

     Other opportunities to be involved in are ushering, Knights of Columbus, The Little Flower Council and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. For those that may want to start out smaller, it could be as simple as assisting the ladies on Sunday morning with breakfast. Did you know that Kari Carroll does most of the cooking by herself? I bet she would love an assistant (New Year’s Resolution number 4, learn to cook so I can help Kari in 2010). Perhaps you have a little extra elbow grease that can be applied to one of the cleaning days, or maybe you have a knack for making funnel cakes that could be used during the summer picnic. I worked the beer tent last summer and my friends Patty and Nancy and I still laugh about how much fun we had.

     So I challenge everyone who reads this to make showing up a New Year’s Resolution. Help run our parish. You’d be surprised at how fulfilling it really is to be involved. And of course, Mass is held every Saturday at 5:00pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 am.