Volunteering is good for you.

The good news is that I was able to volunteer for Park run the other day. You can even look up the Hamilton Facebook page and find a photo of the occasion.

It was a simple task really. Just hand out the plastic token barcode thingy as people crossed the line and Congratulate them on a fantastic effort! I’ve done that five kilometres and it is quite a way.

It was lovely to chatter and work with others who knew exactly what they were doing and to be part of a team. It also reminded me that I was part of something much bigger. In fact Park Run, like Mother Church is world wide.

On the way home I reflected that everyone who comes to Church is also a volunteer. No-one gets paid to come to Church, in fact folk put money in as they come into the building. Some of them have visible jobs like serving at the altar, playing the organ or handing out the books. Some of them have hidden jobs like vacuuming the vast amount of carpet we have, washing the dishes after mass or folding pew sheets. All are important, all are necessary, all are valued and all are deeply appreciated!

I also realised again that volunteering is a privilege. To serve others and to put something back into a community whether Parish or Park run is a fabulous experience. The collegiality, the sense of participation, being able to help out, is infinitely rewarding. It not only helps the organisation but the volunteer is also enhanced and enriched. Something about being needed and appreciated?

Park run is on Saturdays at 8am. Sunday Morning Mass at Hamilton is at 10:30am. Volunteering is good for you. All are welcome!