It is a little-known fact that I sometimes volunteer to do ‘Finish Tokens’ at Parkrun. This is a very simple job and it involves handing out a token to each person as they finish their run. Some hearty words of congratulation are offered as the puffing person proudly crosses the line. Things like ‘Good golly gosh. I couldn’t drive my car as fast as that.’ Or ‘You must have had an extra Weetbix or 6 to run that quickly’ You get the idea. It’s a very straightforward job, and any crazy priest could do it.
Sometimes it’s hard to know who gets the most out of this little exchange. Is it the runner who has valiantly conquered the five kilometres, pleased their GP and has raised their pulse rate? Or is it I who has the privilege of congratulating and supporting, and encouraging? Both are winners in this little moment, no matter what time the runner achieved.
Our parish is also fully reliant on volunteers. Some of the work I do see. It’s a great thrill to have such a friendly band of folk to hand out the books and light the candles.
But much of their work I don’t see. How come the carpet is always vacuumed and the candles always trimmed? How do the pew sheets relentlessly get turned out each week, beautifully formatted, printed and folded?
Meticulous minutes are kept, there is always a hot cuppa and a little tasty something after mass on a Sunday. The kettle doesn’t mysteriously boil itself, nor do the tasty scones appear by magic. To all those who volunteer in any capacity, for any job, please know that you are valued and your work is deeply appreciated.