Article: Praying is Our Business

The thought of spending at least 15 minutes at prayer and faith sharing as part of a parish pastoral council meeting is a frightening thought to some. I can remember at one training session a gentleman was complaining about too much time at prayer. He said that the council had business to attend to. Well, to my utter joy, another fellow got up and proclaimed, “Praying is our business!”

It is important that members of the parish leadership body have opportunities to pray with one another and to deepen their individual and communal holiness. The council may also join together for an annual retreat and/or periodic days of reflection as a means of strengthening the bonds of faith which bind them together and, in turn, to the parish and the total Church.

In order to guarantee quality prayer experiences, a Spiritual Formation Team, comprised of several members can plan the prayer time. They could consider the parish situation, the liturgical season, the council agenda or other factors, which would inform the prayer experience. They design the prayer with sensitivity to the need for song, silence, listening to God’s word, sharing reflections and general prayer for the council and parish needs. The worst-case scenario is a hurry-up prayer by Father, or taking up precious time to scramble for a Bible or a song. I even discourage “canned prayers” in favor of the use of daily readings or a Sunday reading close to the date of the meeting. There is always a way to link themes from the regular readings into the parish’s life story.

When after a busy day, parish leaders are greeted with a prepared setting for prayer they immediately become comfortable and at ease. A quiet, warm, and inviting atmosphere helps awaken the Spirit in the persons and space where they gather. Inspirational music or a simple centerpiece with a candle or other sacred symbol helps as well. Priests and parishioners tell me that faith sharing levels the playing field so to speak. Whether priest or working mother, lawyer or teacher, all can share the meaning of God in their lives and in their role in the parish. Especially if there is tension in the group over an issue to be discussed, the prayer time softens hearts and brings God’s good will into the mix. Remarkably, councils tell me that the faith sharing will often lead them right to the council agenda.

In the end, not praying becomes a matter of integrity for a parish leadership body. How can councils make decisions that reflect the Gospel, if they don’t listen to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to them? Praying is our business!

Mary Ann Gubish, D.Min. is Director of the Department for Envisioning Ministry for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and co-author of Revisioning the Parish Pastoral Council published by Paulist Press