The post-Christmas un-shopping season -- you know, the time when you return all the stuff that didn't work, fit, or otherwise measure up -- has finally come to an end. And since it's always good to reflect on something immediately after its conclusion, I thought perhaps we could learn a little from the wonderful world of retail!

When I return something to a large chain retailer -- we'll call them Stuff-Mart -- it is almost always a painless experience. The lines tend to move quickly because the store personnel have handled hundreds of similar returns. They are efficient, courteous, and only minimally concerned with my reason for the return (i.e. does it still work?).

Generally speaking, Stuff-Mart didn't bother me when I bought the item, and they aren't going to bother me when I make the return. Their business model is based on the sheer quantity of goods they sell, so it's not worth it for them to fret over little ol' me.

Sometimes it seems that the Catholic Church is like Stuff-Mart. Let's face it, we tend to be "into" BIG!

When a Parish gets too large, do we build another church nearby? No. We build a BIGGER church where the old one used to be.

I've belonged to the same Parish for my entire life, and there are literally hundreds of parishioners whom I don't recognize AT ALL. And our Parish is still growing! We have a large RCIA class almost every year.

Is this a bad thing, though?

Not necessarily. But it is important that we don't become like Stuff-Mart. Being efficient, courteous, and only minimally concerned when someone is not satisfied with something church related is NOT what a Catholic Parish should do.

Unlike the Stuff-Mart business model, our strength, growth and longevity as a Church depends upon each and every person on earth. Not only our fellow Catholics, but also those of other faiths and religions -- all of who deserve to know God's truth.

And remember that each one of us is a part of the Body of Christ. We are all members of the Catholic "team", and we need to actively reach out to people. We are called to help them find what they need.

So does the Church have anything in common with Stuff-Mart? Of course.

Like Stuff-Mart, we want people to come back again and again!

Peace,
Brandon