Faith, Hope, and a Sense of Humor: How to Survive and Thrive on the Front Lines of Parish Life

by Karen L Baker

Overview

Catholic parishes are staffed by dedicated, passionate members of the laity who are often underpaid and overworked but nevertheless continue to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. Whether you are on staff or a volunteer, faith, hope, and a sense of humor are crucial to surviving and thriving in parish ministry. Down-to-earth, candid, and funny, author Karen Baker has served on the front lines of her parish, and she can empathize and commiserate with the day-to-day struggles, like when the toilets back up during Sunday Mass. This little book offers a ray of hope and humor by reminding parish leaders that developing holy habits and clothing themselves in Christ can help them navigate the challenging and changing world of ministry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681926902
Publication date:	09/26/2022
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.56(w) x 6.59(h) x 0.25(d)

About the Author

Karen L. Baker has served in parish ministry for more than a decade, including the last seven years full-time as office manager at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mandeville, Louisiana. She has a degree in communications from Loyola University New Orleans and worked for newspapers for 30 years. Discovering a real love for the Lord and parish ministry led her to enroll in the Loyola Institute for Ministry in 2008, and she received her master's degree in Pastoral Studies in 2012.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

1 Formed in Faith, Sent to Serve through Email 13

Faith

2 Encountering Jesus Together, Even When We Are Apart 21

Humility

3 Hear, O Israel! The Toilets are Backing Up 29

Love

4 The Day the Zoom Links Died and Other Stories 35

Fortitude/Courage

5 Have a Good Weekend and Try to Relax 43

Eutrapelia

6 The Christmas of Many Masses 51

Gentleness

7 In Honor of St. Meinrad 57

Hospitality

8 Fully, Consciously, and Forgetfully 63

Gratitude

9 Four Feet Short with Five Minutes to Go 71

Prudence

10 Take that Log Out of Your Eye and Have a Good Laugh 77

Sense of Humor

11 Just Be Yourself 83

Self-Worth

12 The Weary World Rejoices 89

Hope

13 "All My Good Stuff, I Got It from the Bible" 97

Surrender

Conclusion 105

Acknowledgments 109