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August 9, 2018
Rick Flynn
For those Catholics who think being a Catholic means only attending Mass on Sunday, there can be more to being a Catholic. Much more! In fact, you could live your life all things Catholic from being born in a Catholic hospital to being buried in a Catholic cemetery – and all things Catholic in between.
Inside your parish
Receive the sacraments: Receive the Eucharist as often as possible. Go to confession on a regular basis or at least monthly. Receive the anointing of the sick if you are seriously ill, infirmed or aged. Receive holy orders if you are called to be a deacon or priest. Get married if you are called to the married life.
Fully participate in your parish: Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Volunteer at Mass as greeter, usher, lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, altar server, choir member, instrumentalist. Get involved in parish activities such as parish council, religious education, Bible study group, prayer group. Get involved in parish social ministries seeking to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless. Go to parish social functions be it coffee hour or annual picnic.
Outside your parish
Attend Catholic schools: Attend a Catholic elementary school, a Catholic high school, and a Catholic university.
Work at Catholic organizations: Work at the Archdiocese of San Francisco, a Catholic parish, a Catholic mission, a Catholic elementary school, a Catholic high school, a Catholic university, a Catholic hospital, a Catholic business.
Volunteer and donate to Catholic organizations: Give time and money to groups including Catholic Charities, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Anthony Foundation.
Join Catholic organizations: Consider membership with groups including the Knights of Columbus, the Legion of Mary, the Young Catholic Professionals (SF Chapter), the youth ministry (ages 13-17), and the young adult ministry (ages 18-40).
Read Catholic books: Read the Catholic Bible, New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and spiritual classics such as “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis.
Engage Catholic media: Read Catholic San Francisco newspaper, listen to Relevant Radio (1260 AM), watch EWTN (Comcast: Channel 229).
Access Catholic websites: Archdiocese of San Francisco: www.sfarchdiocese.org; Vatican: www.vatican.va; U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: www.usccb.org; Catholic News Service: www.catholicnews.com.
Visit Catholic places: Visit the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, the National Shrine of St. Francis, Mission Dolores, St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, Menlo Park.
Attend Catholic events: Attend the annual Walk for Life West Coast, the San Francisco Rosary Rally, the Catholic Charismatic Convention, and World Youth Day (every three years in a different country).
Go on Catholic retreats: Pray, hear talks at sites including Mercy Center, Burlingame, Santa Sabina Center, San Rafael, Vallombrosa Center, Menlo Park.
Go on Catholic pilgrimages: Consider trips to holy sites including the Holy Land, Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe.
Living your life – all things Catholic – will take you deeper into your Catholic faith, and be a constant reminder of your Catholic faith in an increasingly secular world.
Rick Flynn is a parishioner at St. Ignatius Parish.