I never really wanted a parish job. But now that my work at St. Maria Goretti has come to a close, I'm so glad I spent six years in ministry at the parish level. There are many good memories and friendships I'll take with me -- and just as many lessons learned. I'm grateful to have been part of a parish pastoral team because doing so has convinced me that there are things about ministry that can be learned only in a parish. Here are just a few of the operating principles I've been privileged to observe at St. Maria's.

First, one spirituality does not fit all. Souls come in all shapes, sizes, and dispositions. While there may be only one Good Shepherd, there are as many leading graces as there are sheep to be led. That's why it is important to offer a broad variety of opportunities for spiritual growth. No matter how good a program or idea is, not everyone will be served by an hour of adoration, or a Christmas concert, a Lenten mission, or family stations of the cross.

Second, increased activity is not the same as an increase in sanctity. Filling the parish calendar with all kinds of events doesn't actually indicate that the people of the parish have a more active faith. On the contrary, it may be a sign that the staff lacks cohesive vision. Following Jesus, after all, isn't just another extracurricular.

Third, there is no substitute for good liturgy. No religious education, service, or faith formation program can replace good worship in calling people into the presence of God. By "good" liturgy, however, I don't mean entertaining or highbrow liturgy. I do mean praying prayers rather than reciting them; proclaiming Scripture rather than reading it; preaching the Gospel, rather than what some might consider a more relevant message; and ministering through music, rather than performing it. Worship lies at the heart of what it means to practice our faith in Christ. Mass is why every parish exists. When it comes down to it, we can do without everything else.

Fourth, there are always plenty of well-intentioned but impractical and sometimes even wrong-headed new ideas. Parishes don't need to do something new, as much as they need to do the simple things well. We ought to focus ourselves on addressing real pastoral needs, not fulfilling imaginary pastoral pipe dreams.

Fifth, people are always better than programs. There are all kinds of programs for catechesis, prayer, faith formation, and renewal. Ultimately, though, no one's life is changed by a program. Many lives, though, have been changed by personal connection, personal witness, and personal relationships. Saints make saints and disciples make disciples. God sends people, not programs, into the world.

Sixth, if half of life is showing up, 90 percent of the spiritual life is giving up. That applies to ministerial service as well. Good ministry is a living witness to what it means to offer one's life as a sacrifice of praise. It means giving up our plans, our hopes, our best ideas for the sake of the work God is doing in a specific time and place. We can waste energy griping, or we can pledge ourselves to the kind of unity that is a foretaste of eternal communion. That kind of unity demands complete surrender, the kind that doesn't fit into the parameters of a part time -- or even full time -- job.