Jubilee of Volunteers celebrates hearts and hands in action

As the global Church paused in March to celebrate the Jubilee of Volunteers – drawing more than 25,000 pilgrims from over 100 countries to Rome – St Benedict’s Parish Priest Fr Chris Eaton also took a moment to honour the many hearts and hands that keep the church’s Narrabundah community alive.

“Yes, it’s about getting jobs done, but more than that, it’s about helping people find their joy and gifts. When you get involved, the parish becomes your place,” he said.

“There have been amazing volunteers here over many years. We want to acknowledge that incredible work while making sure the burden doesn’t fall on just a few. There are beautiful people here and so many different groups that get involved.”

In a homily prepared for the Mass for the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering, Pope Francis  thanked volunteers around the globe for “all those small gestures” that help a “new humanity blossom.”

“I thank you heartily, dear friends, because, following the example of Jesus, you serve your neighbours unstintingly,” the homily read.

“On the streets and in homes, in the company of the sick, the suffering and the imprisoned, with the young and the elderly, your generosity and commitment offer hope to our entire society.”

At St Benedict’s, many volunteers – from flower arranging to music ministry – share a common conviction.

“It is what we are called to do from our baptism – it is our purpose,” said Melissa, who volunteers with both music ministry and the parish Alpha program.

“I don’t just want to be a Sunday Catholic. I want to do more than that.”

“If you’re going to be part of a community, you have to do something in it – that is tremendously important in the life of a parish,” agreed Lousie, a long-term parishioner whose roles include reader, welcomer, special minister and organiser.

Loretta, who helps with flower arranging and supports Mass at the Jindalee aged care home, started volunteering after realising she felt as though she was attending Mass without contributing in a tangible way.

“I thought it was a chance to do something,” she said.

“I had seen how much volunteers meant to my aunt in a nursing home in Sydney, and I couldn’t help there – but I could help here. I had been coming for nearly 30 years, and I really didn’t know many people. Once I started volunteering, I met my fellow volunteers, and it became more of a community to me.”

For Shiru, music ministry is an expression of both faith and community.

“I’ve always volunteered because it gives me fulfilment,” she said.

“If we can take ownership of the church we worship in, why not? Doing all this brings us together. We feel like we are a family of Saint Benedict’s.”

Singer, musician and church decorator Grace said she had not been sure, at first, how to get involved.

“After I was baptised and confirmed here, the priest gently nudged me to start doing something small,” she said.

“I had no skills in decoration, but gradually I am getting better and better and more confident. I want to bring joy to the congregation and glory to God. We are disciples in our own way through our actions and our time.”

Grace said volunteering was partly an act of necessity for the parish, but also a conscious decision to be a Christian by actions and not just words.

“We don’t want to be spectators watching people do things. We want to be players ourselves. We want the church to draw people in,” she said.

“We want the church to grow—to be full of people! We want the church to be so big that we need to build a bigger one to accommodate even more congregation.”