Weekend Warriors
Challenge your parish staff to a new work schedule
Father Michael White Comments Off on Weekend Warriors
For most people, weekends mean chores, errands, kids’ sports, hobbies and homework, but also family time and personal time. And hopefully church time factors into the schedule, too.
But in a parish, the weekend, especially Sunday, is the core of our ministry. Pope St. John Paul II affirmed in his apostolic letter Dies Domini (“The Lord’s Day”), “Sunday is a day which is at the very heart of the Christian life” (7). Weekends are when the parish gathers for the Eucharistic celebration and oftentimes enjoy fellowship of some type. It is also a common time for religious education, faith formation and various service projects and programs. It is in this time that the parish is most alive, most authentically what it is supposed to be. As such, it obviously deserves the very best efforts of the parish staff.
But what’s so obvious in theory is far from obvious in practice.
When I first arrived at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, none of our staff, full or part time, worked weekends. With the exception of the organist and a small circle of overburdened and aging volunteers, I was on my own. And that left me responsible for everything from unlocking the front doors and turning on the lights to filling out Mass cards, greeting visitors and dealing with the problems that inevitably presented themselves.
I accepted this arrangement in an unquestioning way for a long time. Eventually, however, it dawned on me that there was a better way, and I began to recruit existing staff members to work with me on the weekends. At this point, most do, and we ask new staff to make a commitment to work weekends up front.
Immeasurable Benefits Come from Weekend Ministry
This commitment isn’t for everyone, and many candidates have backed away from joining our team because the idea feels too demanding. Others give it a try, but the challenges are ultimately too much to reconcile with their lifestyle. However, for those who do step up to the challenge — and make the necessary changes to sustain their commitment — weekend ministry can become the very heart of their ministry, with immeasurable benefits for both parishioners and staff.
When the staff is present and available before and after weekend Masses, they can connect directly with parishioners and offer pastoral care that makes a big impact. Over time, these interactions build trust and create meaningful relationships, allowing staff to be seen as approachable and invested in their community. Staff who regularly work weekends help create a welcoming, energetic environment that encourages engagement and growth.
Despite the challenges of working weekends, there are ways to balance this commitment so that staff can serve sustainably. Here at Nativity, we’ve found that staggering schedules allows us to both meet the needs of our parishioners and support our staff’s well-being. Our Mass schedule includes a Saturday vigil Mass, two Sunday morning Masses and a Sunday evening Mass. Almost all of our staff are present for some portion of this schedule and then take time off midweek. Friday is a day off for everyone to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
Ultimately, choosing to work weekends in parish ministry is about answering a call to serve in the most visible and impactful way. It is not easy, but the rewards of seeing a thriving, welcoming parish are worth the adjustments. When church staff embrace the challenge and commit to being present, they are helping to create a place where parishioners and visitors alike feel known, cared for and loved.
FATHER MICHAEL WHITE is pastor of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, and co-author of “Rebuilt Faith” (Ave Maria, $18.95).