Even Busy Catholic Moms Can Volunteer

Amanda Lauer lists more than 30 ways Catholic Moms can help their parish — including some that get the kids involved too! Download this printable list.

I would imagine most Catholic moms have a desire to be actively involved in their parish community. That being said, we all go through seasons where we have neither the time nor the energy to be as involved as we’d like to be.   

For nearly 20 years I was a freelance journalist for the Green Bay Diocese’s newspaper, The Compass. One of my favorite assignments was writing installments for the "Your Catholic Neighbor" column. This weekly column featured people of all ages who volunteered for their parish or community, focusing on one particular project that was near and dear to their heart.   

It was eye-opening to discover all the tasks that need to be accomplished to keep a parish going. Interestingly enough, many of these were relatively simple and could be done at home, outside of normal working hours, or on the grounds of the parish — even with little ones in tow. 

Here’s a list of tasks compiled with the help of some Catholic moms and a church staff member that even the busiest parishioners or youngest parishioners can do. If you’re looking to pitch in at your church, maybe one of these will work for you.  

How Can a Busy Mom Help Her Parish?

• Wash and iron purificators  
• Arrive to Mass early to unlock the church doors 
• Stuff bulletins 
• Be on the hospitality team (usher) with your children 
• Sing in the choir, even if it’s only once a year for Christmas or Easter Sunday 
• Volunteer to serve at church dinners, picnics, funeral lunches, or BINGO nights 
• Altar-serve with your children 
• Lector with your children  
• Cantor with your children 
• Decorate the church for various liturgical seasons 
• Help clean the church  
• Join the prayer team 
• Check inventory of parish supplies and restock where needed 
• Swap out new missals for outdated missals annually 
• Replace offering envelopes in the church pews 
• Update and refill the First Aid kit and diabetic box  
• Replace the burned-out votive candles in the nave and the sanctuary lamp candle 
• Count the collection offerings after weekend Masses 
• Make and embroider baptismal gowns 
• Bring vestments to the dry cleaners 
• Send Christmas, Easter, or prayer cards to the homebound 
• Be on the phone tree to recruit volunteers who don’t use computers or have cell phones 
• Attend funeral Masses for deceased parishioners  
• Write Mass petitions 
• Prepare busy bags for children 
• Prepare materials for children’s church time 
• Bake for various church events 
• Serve donuts and coffee on fellowship Sundays 
• Donate raffle items and silent auction items for the parish picnic 
• Work a booth at the parish picnic 
• Donate used items for the parish rummage sale 
• Help with food drives 
• Work on the grounds — pulling weeds, raking, and other simple talks  
• Babysit so other parents can attend Bible studies or parish events 

If you’re inspired to volunteer for your parish, reach out to someone on the staff and let them know. They’ll point you in the right direction to get started. No matter how you choose to share your time, treasure, or talents, your priest and parish community will be grateful for any help, especially as the tried-and-true volunteer force of the older generation continues to diminish.  

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Copyright 2024 Amanda Lauer
Images: Canva